Booker T Addresses Backlash Over WWE Talent Getting Cut Remark During NXT Last Week

The pro wrestling business is full of controversy, and Booker T is not afraid to make his point when needed. He’s also not shy about backing up his words.

Booker T sparked discussion during Josh Briggs’ entrance on WWE NXT, with one line on commentary that fans quickly clipped and shared online. Booker T made this comment before a qualifying match on the CW for an NXT Championship six-man Ladder Match. One of those qualifiers featured Briggs facing Shiloh Hill, and Booker’s comment hit before the match even started.

“Josh Briggs, like I say, this is a pivotal moment for this guy. WrestleMania is coming up, and you know what happens after WrestleMania, people start getting cut around here…”

Josh Briggs went on to lose the match to Shiloh Hill, which meant he did not qualify for the ladder match. The mix of Booker’s remark and Briggs’ loss led to online speculation about what it could mean for NXT talent, especially with WWE’s history of post-WrestleMania roster cuts.

During the most recent Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T addressed this controversy. He didn’t shy away from talking about it, but he started off by saying that he usally makes headlines for the things he says on his podcast instead of Tuesday nights.

"See, the thing is that I usually make the internet because of this podcast, not because of NXT. Last week it was because of NXT and some of the comments I made on the show [laughs]. I don't know man, am I too real? Am I too realy sometimes? I need the people to tell me if I'm too real, because when we get down to the nuts and bolts- the rubber to the road as they say- normally when I talk about something I'm pretty close and accurate to the situation more than anything. I don't do anything to step on anyone's toes, or anything like that. I do do things to motivate you, and I've gotta do things a certain way to motivate you. So, I think that people took it out of context, but then again, maybe people didn't take it out of context at the same time."

"A lot of times- just like on the main roster, you know, it's hard to talk about certain things on the main roster, but in NXT I think people need to understand that NXT is a developmental system, okay? NXT is there to get young talent ready for the next wave which is RAW or SmackDown, maybe going to Mexico to do some stuff. It's one of the three and if you're not getting your self prepared for one of these promotions, and doing it very quickly, you might need to think about what do I need to do to get there? Who do I need to talk to to get in that right frame of mind to get me to that next level? As far as 'throwing on the black mask' as I say, going into self-interrogation mode."

"I'm serious, because this business is serious. Asking those serious, serious questions. Why am I here? What am I doing this for? What do I need to do to get to that next level? Is it about stepping on some toes-- hey man I'm serious man."

Briggs has been with WWE since 2020 and has spent his run on NXT, and now fans are watching closely to see whether Booker’s comment was just commentary or something closer to a warning. We will see if Booker T’s comments spark something in him.

We will have to see what Booker T says next to draw attention to himself. He certainly ruffled some feathers with his comment on last week’s NXT. If anything, it seems that he was trying to crowbar some motivation into his commentary.

Booker T is a two-time WWE Hall of Famer for a reason. He has a singles ring and one as a member of Harlem Heat. He could give a ton of adivce to anyone starting out in the pro wrestling business, but it might take stepping on some toes to make his point.

What’s your take on Booker T’s remarks? Do you think that it hit home with anyone in NXT? Let us know what you think in the comments section!

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