On a recent edition of his “Hall of Fame” podcast, 5-time WCW Champion Booker T discussed WWE NXT Heatwave, which was headlined by NXT Champion Carmelo Hayes facing off against Wes Lee.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On Trick Williams vs. Ilja Dragunov: “They definitely brought the noise, man. They definitely went out and had a great match. Both guys complemented each other as far as Trick Williams being a pretty much street fighter and Dragunov being a hybrid that can do it all. One thing about Ilja Dragunov is that he pretty much brings it out of every guy with whom he goes in the ring and performs with. I’ve had guys like that that I work with in the past that if you don’t fight, you’re going just to be getting eaten alive. So, working with Ilja Dragunov for Trick Williams, it was the perfect matchup. They say styles make fights. This was the perfect style to create the ultimate fight between two young guys trying to move up the ladder. And to see Trick Williams go out there and not having many matches, have that crowd in his hand to where they didn’t just watch it, they felt it. It was awesome to sit there and watch. High Praise goes out to Ilja Dragunov as well as Trick Williams. But Trick could not have done it without an Ilja Dragunov. Give that guy a whole lot of credit. He’s mature, well-seasoned, and a well-rounded, precision tactician. He can do it all.”
On his belief they stole the show: “So big ups to both of those guys for going out there and in my estimation, stealing the show… I think those guys stole the show. I thought they had the best match. Taking nothing away from the main event with Wes Lee and Melo. Those guys went out there and performed. But their styles, there again, styles make fights. Both of those guys’ styles are so similar to each other. It’s almost like watching two guys in the mirror, you know? Almost around the same size, you know, it’s like, you know, that tag team thing, Like my brother and I. What made us different was my brother was the power guy. I was the speed guy, and you could tell the difference.”
On Carmelo Hayes vs. Wes Lee: “And with that match with Melo and Lee, both guys look so much alike. But they did something that no one has ever done. Two African-American young men [in NXT] main eventing was something very, very special. And for me to sit there and watch it and be very instrumental in both of those guys’ careers, it was so freaking awesome. The kid, Wes, he’s special. Carmelo, he’s special. Wes Lee actually said a couple of things to me after after the match, and I just wanted to tell that young man I appreciate him just as much as he appreciates me. I want to thank him for everything he’s going out there and doing in the middle of that square circle, proving that he belongs. Melo proves that he belongs. Awesome to see.”
