WWE Hall of Famer and former TNA star Booker T recently discussed the perceived lack of diversity in All Elite Wrestling.
Speaking to Forbes, the 5x WCW Champion talked about the issue and how he finds it difficult to criticise when the company has been in business for only three years.
“I’ve heard [concerns on diversity issues] about AEW, and me personally, it’s really hard for me to criticize a company that’s only been in existence for three years” Booker began.
“One thing about this sport, just being real, it’s always been dominated, as far as wrestling talent goes, by white guys. White girls. I always have this argument with people as far as when I was doing it, I was one of the few Black guys who was in this sport and doing it at a certain level” Booker continued.
“I kind of slipped on a banana peel and found professional wrestling. When I found it, I tried to open doors for the Big E’s and Bobby Lashley’s of the world. When you come from the neighbourhood, especially back in the day, professional wrestling is the last form of entertainment as far as our way out.
“It’s gonna be football, it’s gonna be basketball, it’s gonna be rapping, it’s gonna be something other than professional wrestling. But when kids saw Booker T doing it, they thought, ’˜man, this might be the way out, so we’re gonna start gravitating toward professional wrestling'” Booker T concluded.
Booker T on AEW
AEW Dynamite is on every Wednesday night on TNT and FITE; fans in the UK can sign up to watch the show via AEW+ on FITE.
AEW Rampage is on every Friday night on TNT and FITE, fans in the UK can sign up to watch the show via AEW+ on FITE.
All Elite Wrestling also hosts four PPV events per year, available via traditional PPV routes in the United States and again on FITE TV elsewhere. The PPVs are named Double or Nothing, Full Gear, All Out and Revolution.
AEW Dark and AEW Dark: Elevation are available to watch every Monday and Tuesday night on AEW’s official YouTube channel.
