Following the October 8 episode of WWE NXT, where Randy Orton and JeVon Evans squared off at The Factory in Chesterfield, MO, there was plenty of buzz surrounding the matchs conclusion. Specifically, a botched RKO from The Viper became a talking point among fans and critics. However, WWE legend Booker T came to Evans defense, addressing the backlash during his Hall of Fame Podcast.
Booker T took aim at critics who were quick to judge Evans for the botched spot. Speaking passionately on the podcast, Booker said, People giving this kid hate, as talented as he isthey wish they could go out there and do what he does. Its easy to have Twitter fingers and talk about somebody else when youre at home sitting on your sofa with a bag of chips and some doughnuts and a gallon of milk! Its easy to do that.
The WWE Hall of Famer made it clear that the young NXT star shouldnt be criticized for what was a high-pressure moment in the ring, especially given the intensity of facing someone like Orton. According to earlier reports, both Orton and Evans had rehearsed their spots meticulously, and there was no backstage heat directed at Evans for the RKO mishap, further supporting Booker Ts point that these moments are a normal part of live performance.
The match itself, despite the minor hiccup, delivered thrilling moments, with Evans landing a cutter on Orton after several failed attempts, only for Orton to seal the deal with his signature RKO. While the RKO may not have gone off perfectly, the crowd in Ortons home state still left energized, having seen their hometown hero in action
Booker Ts words on the Hall of Fame Podcast highlight a broader message: its easy to critique from the sidelines, but stepping into the ring with a legend like Randy Orton is a different challenge altogether.
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What do you think about Booker T's defense of Je'Von Evans? Was the criticism unwarranted? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
