Booker T Questions If The Majority Of U.S. Fans Are Tuning In To New Japan
During the latest Hall Of Fame podcast, Booker T spoke about the upcoming Forbidden Door event. That show will see AEW and New Japan Pro Wrestling come together for one show. But, the former WCW and WWE star has questioned if fans generally are watching Japanese wrestling.
"What I am saying is, nothing against New Japan Pro Wrestling or anything like that," he said. "I do not think the majority of people here in the United States are clicking to go find Japanese wrestling. I just don't believe that."
Booker T believes that the AEW fanbase itself is going to enjoy the event. But he is not sure whether or not it is actually a forbidden show and not just a cross-promotion between the two companies.
"They're going to love it, I get that. The AEW fanbase, they're going to love it," Booker expressed. "But what I am saying is, outside of the AEW fanbase, there aren't a whole lot of people are going to look at this like it's a forbidden door because don't too many people know about it but the AEW fanbase. This is a cross-promotion, it's not a forbidden door is what I am saying. It's nothing forbidden about Japanese wrestlers coming over and wrestling AEW wrestlers, there's nothing forbidden about that."
One man that Booker T is excited to see compete is Will Ospreay, who he believes can do anything in the ring. The Hall Of Famer discussed which members of the AEW roster he believes could end up competing against the Englishman.
"Man, Will Ospreay is a talent, he's moving, he's quick, he can do anything," Booker stated. "He can fly, he can mat wrestle, he can do just about anything. So, whoever you put him with, they better have some stamina, their legs better are ready to go. They've got a plethora of guys in AEW that can go out there and have those types of matches. I don't know if Kenny Omega is going to be back for this show, of course, he and Kenny Omega I am sure have got a lot of history together.
"They would definitely be able to go out and give the crowd that match, that we don't see here in the States on a regular basis. Of course, Danielson would be a guy that he could go out there and go with. Of course, the market guy is going to be CM Punk to put him out there with him. If you want to just have those two marquee names. Which, a lot of times, the names may be more important than the match. Sometimes, as far as giving me that main event."
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit the Hall Of Fame podcast with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.