Booker T On Elias’ WWE Release, Comparisons Between Elias and Honky Tonk Man

On the latest episode of the Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T talked about Elias being among the names to be recently cut by WWE among the mass talent releases. You can check out some highlights below:

On Elia’s WWE release: “You know, I liked Elias. He’s the guy that I really thought had something unique, special, different than just about everybody on the roster. He was a multi-talented guy who of course was a wrestler, but loved the performance side of it. As far as him being able to sing and play that guitar, I really thought that was his meal ticket. I thought that was his bread and butter that really could have taken him to the superstar level. But I think he really was caught in between trying to be the wrestler and then just going out there and doing the music as a segment, and not really leaning into the music as the source. I didn’t know Elias before he became Elias and was working in the WWE as that character or anything like that. I don’t know him from a personal standpoint or anything, but if he can still tap into his music, I think his career is definitely something that he can create and make of his own.”

On comparisons between Elias and Honky Tonk Man: “The Honky Tonk Man, he could work. People could say whatever the hell they want to say about the Honky Tonk Man, ‘He didn’t do this, he didn’t do that.’ That dude could work. He was one of the best workers that this business has ever produced. And that’s just going out there and making those fans feel a certain way. Bottom line, that’s it. So that’s the difference. Elias was no Honky Tonk Man in the middle of that square circle. And I think that’s where you got to be good at. He didn’t have to do a whole lot, but he had to be good at it. Honky Tonk Man, he didn’t do a whole lot, but he was good at what he did. And he made everybody that he worked look extra special. So, I think that was the difference between those two characters. We got a real chance to see his work in the ring when he was Ezekiel.

On whether he thought the Ezekiel gimmick would save Elias’ career: “We got a chance to actually see him get in the ring and work. We didn’t get a chance to see Elias’ work. We got a chance to see Ezekiel’s work, and then the work has to be equal or better. The wrestling didn’t live up to the character that it could have been in order to really get what we need to get out of not just the lives but guys that he goes out there and works with.”

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.