10 Times Great Wrestlers Got Lazy In Big Matches

9. Booker T Vs. Samoa Joe (TNA Victory Road 2008)

JBL The Undertaker
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Booker T had many positive qualities as a professional wrestler, but his workrate wasn't always one of them. The former WCW Champion produced plenty of good matches throughout his career, but the bulk of his best work came when paired with an athletic marvel who could do much of the heavy lifting for him. Sadly, Booker was often content to coast his way through big matches, particularly throughout his TNA run.

This period presented Booker at his absolute worst. He was the epitome of an ex-WWE wrestler joining the company, collecting a paycheck, and delivering half-ar*ed performances in return, even after a new championship had been specifically created to appease him (the Legends Title).

One of Booker's most egregiously lazy TNA performances came at Victory Road 2008, when he challenged for Samoa Joe's World Title. Such an occasion should've brought out the best in the Texan, but no: he lumbered his way through 15 minutes of heatless tedium, barely breaking a sweat, even for his hometown crowd. It didn't help that the bout concluded with a WCW-esque belt-stealing angle, but regardless, Booker's nonchalance had bored the audience to death long before that.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.