WWE's SummerSlam celebrates its 25th anniversary live on pay-per-view this Sunday, August 19th. CM Punk will defend the WWE Championship against both John Cena and The Big Show, Sheamus will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Alberto Del Rio and Triple H will attempt to seek revenge on Brock Lesnar.
I recently had the chance to speak to the legendary former "Five-time! Five-time! Five-time" (actually, six) World Champion Booker T about SummerSlam, his new role as the General Manager of Smackdown, the recent state of Tag Team wrestling and his unique color-commentary style.
IGN: How does it feel to leave the announce table and be the new Smackdown GM?
Booker T: It feels good. I always tell the young guys that even before this ever happened, before I became GM, I considered myself a General. I always tried to be a mentor for the young guys. A tool that the young guys can come to and use in order to become better. And now I have a position where I can try to put that to better use. There are so many different ways to try and bring the youth back wanting to be a part of the Sports Entertainment business. That’s how I see my new role now.
Booker T, mid-spinaroonie.
IGN: Are you going to miss doing commentary with Michael Cole?
Booker T: You know, I definitely think I’m going to miss it. I was really having fun. I was learning. And that’s what was sort of different for me about it. I didn’t just jump in thinking I knew it. I was really trying to learn the craft. But now, being the General Manager of Smackdown puts me in a much better position to help out. I’m in an authority role and can be seen as an authority figure. And really want to try and bring and much more hardcore and serious spin to the position as far as the way as Smackdown is presented.
IGN: Explain "Shucky Ducky Quack Quack."
Booker T: Shuckey Duckey was a comedian back in the day, that I used to watch back in Atlanta, Georgia. I used to love his shtick. He’d go “shucky shucky ducky quack quack.” It was just a line that I liked. It didn’t mean anything. Just like when I say it. I doesn’t mean anything. It just sounds cool. That’s just one thing about myself. Everything I do is paying homage to somebody. Just like the “Can you dig it, sucka?” is from Richard Roundtree. I was a big fan of Shaft back in the day. And Cotton Comes to Harlem. Those kinds of movies. Everything comes from something. I just try to make it my own somehow.
IGN: The role of the GM didn't use to exist. Or at least, it didn't used to be so important. But now, you can't have a show without someone being in charge. Even if it's a laptop. Can you talk a little bit about how the role has evolved and become so necessary?
Booker T: I think now that we have such a young group of talent around in the locker room you kind of need an anchor. Back in the day, guys had been in the business for many many years. When they came out on stage, they were already stars. So now it’s going to be up to us to create and help mold the young guys and the GM is going to fill that experience void if there is one. The GM can help push the younger talent toward a certain direction and hopefully make them bigger stars then they actually would be on their own. So I think that’s our job more than anything.
Booker T's thoughts on SummerSlam and Tag Team wrestling on page 2...
Source : feeds[dot]ign[dot]com
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