WWE Smackdown: Booker T Needs To Be Treated Like the Legend He Is

Let me ask all of you a quick question. Pop quiz!

How many matches did Booker T compete in during 2011?

Do not count house shows (live events). Do not count his Royal Rumble appearance. I am talking about one-on-one matches on PPV or WWE TV...

Anyone remember? Was it one? Was it two? Three? Five? Ten? See my point?

Booker T returned to great fanfare in January. He had the perfect surprise showing in the Rumble before he was quickly eliminated. It was great and I enjoyed the moment.

He was shifted to the Smackdown broadcast booth a few days later, and it was the right move. Matt Striker had become completely unbearable (my opinion!). His call of "wrestling" moves was completely useless, and his "fun facts" all but ruined the flow of the matches he called.

The final straw came for me when he totally missed the call of Survivor Series 2010's main event. Yes, Matt Striker completely overshadowed the ending of the huge "Free or Fired" match last year. How he kept his job for another two months is beyond me, but when he "marked out" at the Rumble, I knew he was done.

Sorry for the tangent, but the message was clear. Smackdown needed a new voice every Friday night.

Booker filled that role with ease.

He brought comedy. He brought seriousness. He even spoke of his wrestling past, which was a huge plus!

It reminded me of Mick Foley calling Smackdown in 2008. It did not last long, but I thought he did well. Same with JBL! Just something about having a legend call the action made the show more enjoyable.

For most legends, the "itch" to wrestle again eventually prevails. Booker T was no different. His calling to return to the ring was coming sooner or later.

Sadly, WWE did not seem to think to much of it.

His return to the ring has not been treated as a major deal. It has been hyped up "okay," but where are the video packages? Where is his family talking about how strange it will be to see him back inside the squared circle?

Smackdown did a nice job of making Booker T's match with Cody Rhodes at WWE TLC feel special, but that was one time. That was not his only match for WWE all year. As we head into the new year, I have no idea what the future holds for Booker T in the ring.

Will it continue? Is a WWE Hall of Fame spot in his near future? Is he going to continue calling the Blue Brand? The questions are endless for the gifted veteran.

All I wish is that he gets some respect as the legend he is...

REMINDER: I am now on Twitter @JustinWatry! Feel free to follow me...thanks.