Booker T Defends Ava From Criticism Following WWE Exit

On the latest episode of the Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T talked about the criticism of Ava’s run in WWE NXT as the General Manager and more. Ava announced late last month that she had chosen not to renew her contract with WWE. You can check out some highlights below:

On her Departure:

“Ava left WWE. She left NXT, she left her responsibilities as NXT’s general manager. And then I see people — old heads too, like a Steve — I’m going to call their names too. Like a Stevie Richards and his partner James. And I know Stevie Richards tried to do his best as far as cover for James. At least of knowledge about how this thing goes.”

On the Narrative That She Got Her Job Because Of The Rock:

“And the thing is, Ava — maybe she did get her job because of her dad, all right? But I watched Ava when she first started that job, and she wasn’t that good. I can attest to that. But I watched Ava grow in that job, and I saw her get so much better at what she was doing. And the thing is, people want to just knock on how bad she was, but not give her credit for how much better she had gotten. I think that’s what this business is about. It’s about growing.”

On Veterans Talking Negative About Her:

“I can only imagine if one of these guys who was speaking on Ava, Dutch Mantell and the rest of them. I can only imagine if your kid was in the business and they was getting the same gripe that someone like Ava was getting when she was only doing a job, and hopefully having fun doing that job. But to hear grown-ass men get these young people down like that, it’s beyond me. It really truly is.

“And they truly need to check themselves, because like I said I can only imagine if you had a kid that was striving to perhaps get in this business. Think about your own careers more importantly, and how hard it was to make it to the freaking next level. Do that for me for a second, all right? [As] opposed to trying to sit here and critique and knock someone who’s just trying to — you know, have some fun and do a job and perhaps leave a legacy. If not, I always say the journey is the most important thing. And it makes me hot when I hear these old heads — old heads that know better, know how hard it is in this freaking business. And then, like I say, to knock her just because her dad is who he is. It’s freaking ridiculous.”

On His Position In Defending Her:

“And I’m not defending her because of any other reason other than she’s a young person. I see so many young people in this business and these old guys trying to knock them and tear them down. I’m not going to be the one to knock and tear. You’re not going to hear Booker T knock and tear down any young talent trying to get in this business, no matter where they are on the skill level. I’m going to say, ‘Hey, come to Reality of Wrestling and let’s try to make you better.’ That’s what I’m going to say.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit the Hall of Fame with an h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.