Booker T Says WWE NXT Champion Needs a Name Change

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has suggested that NXT Champion Tony D’Angelo may need to change his ring name and evolve his character to reach the next level of success. Speaking on the Hall of Fame podcast on April 30, 2026, Booker T indicated that while D’Angelo is currently the top athlete in the brand, there is still significant room for improvement in his presentation.

D’Angelo currently holds the NXT Championship after winning a fatal four-way match at the Stand & Deliver Premium Live Event. In that contest, he defeated Joe Hendry, Ricky Saints, and Ethan Page to secure the title. This victory also established D’Angelo as the first-ever NXT Grand Slam Champion.

Critique of Championship Performance

Despite the champion’s recent accolades, Booker T believes D’Angelo must step up his performance to maintain his position. He emphasized that holding the championship brings increased competition and a higher standard of expectation for the performer.

A primary area of concern for Booker T is D’Angelo’s ability to promote himself and connect with the audience. He noted that a champion must possess strong verbal skills to effectively lead the brand.

You got to be a really good talker, alright? You gotta be able to talk to people in the building, alright? But then you’ve got to be able to go out there and back it up at the same time

Booker T via the Hall of Fame podcast, transcribed by Wrestling Inc.

Proposed Name and Character Changes

As part of this evolution, Booker T proposed a change to D’Angelo’s moniker. He suggested that a different name could provide the champion with more momentum, specifically mentioning TD Angelo as a potential alternative.

Booker T explained that he wants to provide D’Angelo with more of a playa name in an effort to put the rocket on him, suggesting that a rebranding could accelerate his rise within the company.

Beyond the name, Booker T believes D’Angelo needs to distance himself from his established persona. He noted that the champion still carries the feel of the D’Angelo Family mob boss character, a role that Booker T believes he needs to break away from to grow as a performer.

While pushing for these changes, Booker T acknowledged the inherent ability of the champion, describing Tony D’Angelo as a hell of a talent.