Professional wrestling is not only about what happens inside the ring. Sometimes, the biggest drama happens outside it. Recently, Booker T once again came into the spotlight after being named the “Worst Television Announcer” in the annual Wrestling Observer Newsletter (WON) Awards.
While this is not the first time he has received this title, this year’s result clearly did not go down well with him. Instead of blaming the fans who voted, Booker T has directly pointed at Dave Meltzer.
Booker T Reacts to WON Award Criticism
For the past three years, Booker T has been voted the Worst TV Announcer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards. In 2022, he even finished second behind Corey Graves. However, this year’s award seems to have affected him more strongly.
On his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T said he does not take the award personally. According to him, the issue is not with the readers who voted but with Dave Meltzer himself. He believes Meltzer is taking personal shots at him.
Booker T also spoke about a past incident during the Jericho Cruise, where he claimed he confronted Meltzer and threatened him. He hinted that this old tension could be the real reason behind the repeated criticism. While he avoided using the word “hate,” he did describe Meltzer as someone who is damaging the wrestling business with negativity.
Understanding the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards
Dave Meltzer is the founder of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The WON Awards are decided by readers who vote every year in different categories. These include Best Wrestler, Best Promotion, and Worst Television Announcer.
Over the years, the awards have become popular among hardcore wrestling fans. Meltzer is especially famous for his star ratings for wrestling matches. Many fans respect his opinion and follow his work closely. However, others feel that his views strongly influence voters.
Booker T made it clear that he does not blame the fans. Instead, he said, “I don’t blame the students, I blame the teachers.” According to him, when a respected journalist shares strong opinions, many followers tend to agree rather than form their own.
Booker T’s Commentary: A Matter of Taste
Booker T is a two-time WWE Hall of Famer and one of the most experienced names in wrestling. Currently, he works as a commentator on WWE NXT. His commentary style is energetic, loud, and full of personality.
Some fans enjoy his excitement and unique expressions. They feel he adds entertainment value to the show. Others believe his style can be distracting or over-the-top. This difference of opinion shows that wrestling commentary, like wrestling itself, is subjective.
Even Booker T’s co-host Brad Gilmore suggested that many voters may favour AEW and could be biased. However, Booker T once again stressed that he does not blame the voters.
Interestingly, AEW World Champion MJF publicly supported Booker T on social media. This shows that despite company rivalries, wrestlers often respect each other’s work.
Why Wrestling Fans Rarely Agree
Wrestling fans are known for having strong and different opinions. Whether it is about match ratings, storylines, or commentary teams, disagreements are common.
Here is a simple overview of the situation:
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Award | Worst Television Announcer (WON Awards) |
| Winner | Booker T (3 consecutive years) |
| Main Critic | Dave Meltzer |
| Support | WWE fans and MJF from AEW |
| Debate | Fair criticism or strong influence? |
At the end of the day, the WON Awards are based on fan votes. If Booker T has won the award three years in a row, it may show that a section of fans does not enjoy his style. At the same time, many viewers do not even follow the Wrestling Observer Newsletter or care about Meltzer’s ratings.
