Booker T is responding after Ricochet pushed back on his criticism of modern “finisher spam” in wrestling.
The WWE Hall of Famer addressed Ricochet’s response on the Hall of Fame podcast, making it clear that he was not trying to start a fight with the AEW star. Instead, Booker said Ricochet was simply giving his own view on how wrestling works today.
“Personally, I wasn’t looking for a fight with Ricochet or anything like that, but Ricochet came back, and people were saying, ‘Ricochet fires back at Booker T.’ I think Ricochet was just stating his opinion on what he thinks about wrestling.”
The whole issue started after Booker T agreed with Brad Gilmore that wrestlers using several finishers in one match has become a problem. Ricochet later responded by comparing modern wrestling drama to Dragon Ball Z. Booker T said he understood the reference, but his opinion has not changed.
“As far as—what was it—Dragon Ball Z? I’ve got the video game, okay? I’m that kind of gamer. I know all about Dragon Ball and all that stuff. But I get where Ricochet is coming from as far as this generation and what those guys go out there and do.”
Booker then explained that his issue is not with big moves existing on a wrestling show. His concern is placement. According to him, a show needs structure, pacing, and a proper build toward the main event.
“My opinion is not going to change one bit as far as the way I see pro wrestling. Now, do I think there’s a place on the show for certain things to be done a little bit more than other places in the show? Yes—because it’s called trying to get the way a show begins, the middle, and how it finishes.”
Booker T also made it clear that he would not start a show by having wrestlers immediately unload every major stunt and weapon spot, because that leaves nowhere for the rest of the card to go. He said that he understands where Ricochet is coming from, even though they clearly see wrestling through different lenses.
“For me, I need to start off the show properly. Me personally, I won’t say, ‘Hey guys, I need you guys to do dives over the top, chair shots, bring the trash can out,’ because we still got a main event. That’s what I’m talking about as far as a crescendo, as far as where we’re trying to go. Do I understand where Ricochet is coming from? Yes, I get it. I understand it. And these young guys see this business different than what I do.”
Ricochet previously defended the modern style, saying multiple big moves create more suspense because viewers do not always know which move will actually end the match. Booker T, however, still believes wrestling matches need proper pacing and that finishers should carry real weight.
The debate over finisher spam in AEW, WWE, and modern wrestling clearly is not going away. Booker T may understand Ricochet’s point, but he is standing firm on the old-school idea that a match—and a show—needs to build toward its biggest moments.
What do you think about Booker T’s response to Ricochet? Should finishers be protected more in wrestling, or does the modern style make matches more exciting? Leave your feedback below.
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