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Tag: Booker T

  • Booker T On Intergender Wrestling, Who WWE’s COVID-19 Era MVP Is

    Booker T On Intergender Wrestling, Who WWE’s COVID-19 Era MVP Is

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has agreed with Lance Storm’s recent comments on intergender wrestling. Speaking on his podcast, The Hall of Fame, Booker T addressed the issue as well as the backlash Storm received. During the episode, he also shared his thoughts on who he believes the MVP of WWE’s COVID-19 era is.

    Addressing Storm’s recent comments stating that intergender wrestling should be abolished, Booker T pointed to the backlash Storm’s words received on social media. Despite the negative response, the Hall of Famer shared how he seconded Storm’s feelings.

    “I second that emotion as far as definitely abolishing intergender wrestling. I don’t think it does a whole lot for female wrestlers. If it is to ever be done on an independent level, for women to be able to get a little more training because there are less women out there working at the top level or better level that can get a lot of practice in working with guys, but as far as intergender wrestling ever making it to the big stage in professional wrestling, I think it would screw everything up.”

    He recalled his thoughts from earlier in the year pertaining to Tessa Blanchard’s intergender matchups.

    Booker T stressed how he didn’t agree with it but didn’t dispute her talent. He added how he didn’t agree with Impact Wrestling’s decision and reiterated how he 100% agrees with Storm’s sentiments.

    Booker T Names His WWE COVID-19 Era MVP

    Booker T then turned his attention to WWE’s current product and how it has been forced to pivot due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

    Acknowledging how COVID-19 has forced both WWE and its Superstars to change and evolve, Booker T shared who he believes is WWE’s current MVP. He stressed that, even though it’s been a relatively short period of time, his MVP is MVP and The Hurt Business.

    Booker T explained his decision, noting how MVP has been “going out and creating some really good drama.”

    He stressed how MVP has managed to do this by going out and cutting promos. He believes this career resurgence is more memorable than MVP’s first run in WWE and thinks the Superstar has really found his “groove” during this time.

  • Booker T Comments On #NaomiDeservesBetter Trending, Naomi Responds

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently addressed the hashtag #NaomiDeservesBetter trending on Twitter. The hashtag gained momentum as disgruntled fans who believe WWE has been mishandling the Superstar rallied in support of Naomi.

    Speaking on his podcast, The Hall of Famer with Booker T and Brad Gilmore, Booker T shared his critical take on the trending hashtag. 

    “They can go to hell with all these hashtags,” Booker T stated. “I’m tired of hearing about them. Don’t nobody ‘deserve’ a chance. You have to earn a chance and your spot on the roster, this is not some kind of movement just to pull somebody up just because. I hate to say this because I like Naomi, but as far as the business goes, you get it on your merit alone. There is no buddy system.”

    Booker T noted how, although some people may have benefited from help, ultimately “life is not fair.”

    He added how people have to make their own breaks and rise to the occasion. Acknowledging how this kind of shift doesn’t happen overnight, he pointed to himself as an example:

    “No one expected me to become a six-time champ, but my persistence of going out there and performing better than all of those suckas in the locker room, and they knew it, and the fans saw something different.”

    #NaomiDeservesBetter

    Booker T argued how the hashtag doesn’t serve a purpose and doesn’t benefit Naomi. Instead, he believes she should be advocating for herself and consistently performing at a high level. Booker T believes if a Superstar can achieve that, then they “cannot be denied” and “No one will ever say you were given anything.”

    He explained how, if someone gave Naomi a championship tomorrow it wouldn’t feel earned or as though she “did it on her own.”

    Booker T stressed how he would never have wanted to have the championship simply given to him. He then praised Naomi as the most athletic female Superstar in the WWE locker room.

    However, he added how “psychology and working are two different things.” Booker T then suggested that if he could guide her for a month, she would look at the pro wrestling business in a totally different way. 

    Naomi Reacts To Booker T’s Thoughts

    Naomi saw Booker T’s comments on the situation. She responded with a succinct reply, writing “Will do @BookerT5x.” She accompanied her answer with a Gif of Jim Carrey wrapped in tape, waving.

    WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Sasha Banks also commented on Booker T’s observations. She wrote in support of Naomi, telling her not to “feed into useless opinions, no matter who they come from.” She encouraged Naomi to keep glowing and how she has nothing to prove to anybody. Sasha Banks recently irked Booker T after claiming she and Bayley were a better tag team than Harlem Heat.

  • Booker T Comments On Heath Slater’s Monday Night RAW Appearance

    Booker T Comments On Heath Slater’s Monday Night RAW Appearance

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared his thoughts on Heath Slater’s recent return to Monday Night RAW. Speaking on his podcast The Hall of Fame, Booker T stressed how Slater’s “not a guy you want to lose.”

    He explained how Slater is a talent “you want on your team” as he’s going to make sure to “pull his weight.” Booker T added how Slater is committed to playing the role he is given, whatever that may be.

    “That’s what I talk in this game all the time as far as ‘hey man, just play your role tonight. Don’t try to play someone else’s role. If you do that, we’ll have a great show tonight, but if you go out there and you want to take one job then take on another job, then you got three jobs that you’re trying to take on, and then, you complain about it. You’re the one who took those jobs.’” Booker T said. “Heath Slater is a guy that’s gonna play his role, and that’s why he got the phone call. ‘Hey Heath, you want to come on back?’ That’s what it’s about.”

    Booker T went on to compare Heath Sleater to WCW wrestler Brad Armstrong. He explained how Armstrong never had to worry about his job. That’s because he was a “utility guy.”

    Extrapolating his point, Booker T added how Armstong could do just about anything at a moment’s notice. He noted that Slater has the same ability. He argued that this makes him a valuable talent that you can trust to get the job done.

  • Booker T Responds To Sasha Banks

    Booker T Responds To Sasha Banks

    Sasha Banks recently commented online that she believes her team with Bayley is better than Harlem Heat was. Booker T then addressed Sasha’s comments on his YouTube channel and show.

    “She didn’t say that, tell me she didn’t just say that,” Booker started. “My thing is this, I put her over! I put Bayley over too, right? Sometimes that’s very hard to do but I managed to do it because I’m the bigger man.”

    Booker continued to address Sasha’s claim that her team with Bayley is better than Harlem Heat was.

    “Sasha, Bayley, great tag-team but as far as those two being anywhere near as great as the Hall of Fame tag-team, 10x world tag team champions – set the record – along with the greatest manager in the history of the game, Sister Sherri Martel,” Booker continued. He then broke out a picture of him and his brother Stevie Ray in a match from Germany.

    “That’s real right there. As far as Sasha Banks & Bayley goes, as far as those two in tag-team wrestling goes and what Harlem Heat brought to the game and still sprinkling out there all over the world right now. People still singing the name on a yearly basis as far as Harlem Heat goes.”

    “As far as Sasha and Bayley go, I’m going to leave it at that.”

    Booker’s comments can be heard in the player below:

  • Booker T Comments On Christian’s RAW Return

    Booker T Comments On Christian’s RAW Return

    Last night on WWE RAW, Christian faced Randy Orton in an unsanctioned match. The bout didn’t go long, however. Ric Flair gave Christian a low-blow before Randy Orton delivered a punt and pinned the returning Superstar. Booker T recently addressed Christian’s WWE return on his radio show and YouTube channel.

    “You get the bug once you get back in. Once you get a little taste…” Booker said when asked if he thinks Christian’s performance was a one-off.

    “It’s something that wants to just pull you back in, something that just wants to draw you back in, make you feel like ‘I can do this.’”

    “We all feel that way, we all feel like we got one last run and Christian, I’m going to tell you right now, after just getting in the ring, just making that walk, I can only imagine if there had been 10,000/15,000/20,000 people in the arena, he would have really lost his mind when he got back to the hotel room. He would have had goosebumps looking in the mirror going ‘I think I can still do this.’”

    “I don’t think it’s going to be a one-off, I think Christian’s going to come back, I think he’s going to get the bug.”

    “I think Christian will be at Extreme Rules in the ring, and the thing is, he’ll have time to get ready for it.”

    Booker’s comments can be heard in the player below:

  • Booker T Says Impact Poised To “Get Back In The Game”

    Booker T Says Impact Poised To “Get Back In The Game”

    Booker T recently spent some time on his radio show and YouTube channel talking about Impact Wrestling. He said that now could be the time for Impact to get back in the game as the promotion has teased bringing in recently released WWE stars to their Slammiversary PPV on July 18th.

    “I am wondering if this is a time now for Impact Wrestling to – bang – explode again and get back in the game,” Booker said.

    Booker and his co-host discussed the video Impact aired last Tuesday night for Slammiversary. Clips of EC3, Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, the Bennett/Kanellis’ and more were shown in the video. The clip also shows a flag of Belarus, Rusev’s home country.

    “You gotta think Anthem, Anthem has been doing a lot of big major moves, lot of money moves. I’m sure they’re saying ‘hey man, this is the time to get back in the game.’”

    “There’s guys out there like Rusev right now. We got guys out there like Heath Slater, Erik Rowan, Kassius Ohno, there’s a lot of big guys out there that we can pick up that can put a lot of behinds in the seats.”

    “It’s the perfect time for TNA (Impact) to pull the trigger and get back in the game,” he continued.

    They continued to discuss the rumours of WWE reaching out to bring back some of the released stars as well.

    Booker’s comments can be heard in the player below:

  • Booker T On Working With Jim Ross, Opening Up About Arrest Record

    Booker T On Working With Jim Ross, Opening Up About Arrest Record

    Booker T recently spoke about working with Jim Ross on his Reality of Wrestling YouTube channel. The 5x WCW Champion noted that JR’s role as the head of Talent Relations put him in an unenviable spot.

    “He had to hire guys, he had to fire guys, he was that guy,” Booker said on the show. “He was definitely not in an envious spot.”

    Booker also noted that JR was the one who encouraged him to be open about his real backstory.

    “JR was literally the first person who told me I need to tell my story and get it out there and let people see who Booker T really was,” he continued. “And I was reluctant to actually put it out there not knowing if there was some ulterior motive.”

    Booker’s story was made into a documentary currently available on the WWE Network, “Booker T: Sentenced to Greatness.” He served 19 months in prison for armed robbery before being granted parole in 1992.

    “I remember going to house shows after I did come out with my story, I remember going to house shows and people would have my mugshot on a poster, just to make fun of me,” Booker said. “But I won at the end of the day, and I’m still winning.”

    Booker T Hopes His Story Gives Hope To Others

    Booker then continued to say that he hopes his being open with his story is helpful to others.

    “Hopefully a lesson was learned. Hopefully, some young kid, like I said for me telling my story, which was my primary objective was for some young kid not to fall in my footsteps or some young kid that are walking in my footsteps to know there is light at the end of the tunnel. If Booker T did it, I can do it too. There are so many people out there looking for hope.”

    Booker T’s comments can be heard in the player below:

  • Booker T Takes Issue With Ronda Rousey, Believes She Owes An Apology

    Booker T Takes Issue With Ronda Rousey, Believes She Owes An Apology

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has taken issue with Ronda Rousey’s recent negative comments regarding pro wrestling and the WWE Universe. 

    Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast with Brad Gilmore, Booker T explained why her words irked him. He noted how Rousey was accepted into the pro wrestling world and the other women in the Locker Room. For her to have said such derogatory comments is like a “slap in the face to each and every one of those ladies that went out there and had to work with her.”

    Booker T argued, “To slap all those ladies in the face that made her look so good after receiving that check from this ‘fake’ business, a check that, like I said, being put in a position where she was the women’s champion, she was in the main event at WrestleMania, that speaks volumes.”

    Booker T highlighted how several women in the locker room work exceptionally hard to get a spot like Rousey enjoyed. He pointed to Nia Jax, explaining how she has worked hard but doesn’t receive the same kind of praise Rousey did. “[…] then someone walks from outside inside to this world and get it. It really is a slap in the face. and I just think Ronda needs to apologize first and foremost.”

    Rousey claimed that she wouldn’t be returning to pro wrestling in a full-time capacity during a recent podcast interview. She explained that this was due to ungrateful fans.

  • Undertaker vs. Sting ‘Cinematic’ Match Discussed by Booker T & Renee Young

    Undertaker vs. Sting ‘Cinematic’ Match Discussed by Booker T & Renee Young

    In the wake of WrestleMania 36, there has been much discussion regarding two of the show’s cinematic matchups. Both the Boneyard match and the Firefly Fun House match were shot cinematically. This has led to speculation that WWE could continue delivering matchups in this style.

    With the Boneyard match having received positive feedback, it appears cinematic matchups could become a fixture for The Undertaker. If that’s the case, one dream opponent has been brought up by multiple people within the industry: Sting.

    On a recent episode of Booker T’s podcast The Hall of Fame, he and Renee Young discussed the possibility of Sting and The Undertaker finally wrestling each other. 

    Young argued how cinematic matchups shouldn’t be used too frequently. She believes, if they are, they will lose what makes them special. “Either they need to be saved and not be overdone to keep them very special, obviously an Undertaker vs. Sting situation would fall into the category, but is it something we want to see all he time? I don’t know.”

    She explained how these pre-recorded clashes should be reserved for special occasions. Young did note that if Boneyard matchups become a WrestleMania staple to help “keep the lore of The Undertaker existing,” then she’s all for it. 

    Booker T On WWE’s Creativity

    Booker T added how the coronavirus pandemic forced them to be more creative in how they delivered WrestleMania 36. He shared how he would have loved to have performed in a similar matchup during his career. 

    “People always wonder if they are ever going to see that match. Sting vs. The Undertaker. This would actually be a way to go out there and do it because I don’t think The Undertaker took one bump,” Booker T said. “That’s the beauty of being able to go out there and create magic, and I’ll tell you, this is where I thought WWE was really going to shine and really bring out the machine and the magic. I’ll go back to when they brought the hologram Bray Wyatt thing back, and it was so awesome. I was like, ‘man, this is cool stuff right here,’ and they [have] the ability to do great stuff here and to do so many different things with this time we’re going through right now.”

    Booker T acknowledged that WWE is going to have to work harder to create original content going forward. He believes there is only so long WWE can perform in empty arena matches before audiences disconnect with the product. The creativity showcased in the Boneyard and Firefly Fun House matchups, however, indicate WWE’s willingness to explore other creative outlets—one he wished King Booker could have been involved with.

  • Booker T On WrestleMania’s Boneyard Match, The Undertaker’s Future

    Booker T On WrestleMania’s Boneyard Match, The Undertaker’s Future

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared his thoughts on WrestleMania 36’s unique Boneyard match. The cinematic matchup between The Undertaker and AJ Styles headlined Night One of this past weekend’s WrestleMania event. 

    Speaking on his podcast, The Hall of Fame, Booker T explained how he feels The Undertaker still has “got a little left in the tank.” He noted how, if ‘Taker had missed WrestleMania, fans would have felt his absence. Booker T agreed with ‘Takers sentiments that he will continue to perform as long as he can “muster up the strength to walk to that ring.” Booker T believes if he can continue to do that, then the WWE Universe can expect him to continue competing. 

    He admitted how the pro wrestling industry is different from any other business. According to him, the allure of wrestling is a powerful one. Despite this, Booker T believes ‘Taker could still walk away when he chooses to. 

    “Thirty years the Undertaker’s been walking that aisle. Thirty years is a lifetime for a lot of people, you know what I mean?” Booker T said. “So I say, if it’s something that he loves and it’s something that he can will himself to actually do? I say do it until you can’t do it no more.”

    Despite the interference from both The O.C. and a group of druids, The Undertaker defeated AJ Styles in their Boneyard matchup.

  • Booker T Talks Potential ‘Theatrics’ of Edge vs Randy Orton

    Booker T Talks Potential ‘Theatrics’ of Edge vs Randy Orton

    WWE Hall of Famer and co-host of the Hall of Fame podcast Booker T recently commented on the upcoming WrestleMania 36 bout between Edge and Randy Orton. With the unique nature of this year’s ‘Mania, Booker T believes that a ‘theatrical’ element to the match will be able to push it beyond the confines of standard wrestling fare.

    Booker T on Edge vs Randy Orton

    “This is a moment man, this is a moment that these guys can actually be able to go out here and really tap into their creativeness” Booker T began. “Looking at guys like Edge, he’s perfect for this moment, because he’s a guy who not only loves the wrestling business; but as soon as he got out to the wrestling business he went right into acting.”

    “I like the analogy, it [WWE] is Rocky, it is Shakespeare, it is Romeo and Juliet.”

    Booker T

    Booker T would elaborate further, discussing Triple H’s recent comments that WWE is more “like the Rocky movie and not boxing.” “I like the analogy, it [WWE] is Rocky, it is Shakespeare, it is Romeo and Juliet. It seemed like these guys have said ‘hey man, we’re gonna be in this [coronavirus] state for a while, why don’t you let us be creative? You don’t write anything for us. and just let us go out here and talk about it. Let us feel it?’ It actually looks that way to be. When I watched The Undertaker go out and cut a promo? That was as real as I’ve ever seen The Undertaker.”

    Final Hype for Edge vs Orton

    Booker T would finish by discussing the history between Edge and Orton. “And now [for Randy] to go out and dance with Edge? A guy who he’s got history with? These guys know each other very very well and respect each other, a whole lot. And now they’re gonna get a chance to go out and you know create magic for the world, in front of an empty arena. Mano a mano and now it’s going to be, you know, a fight that we got to create like we never have before, just because of the circumstances that we’re in. We’re really gonna get a chance to see Shakespeare.”

    Edge vs Randy Orton will be taking place this weekend at WrestleMania 36. The show will be available to purchase on PPV, FITE TV as well as the WWE Network.

    Are you looking forward to the match between Edge and Orton? Do you think it will have a ‘theatrical’ element? Let us know in the comments

    Booker T

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  • Booker T Reacts To WrestleMania 36 Moving To The WWE Performance Center

    Booker T Reacts To WrestleMania 36 Moving To The WWE Performance Center

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared his thoughts on WWE moving WrestleMania 36 to the WWE Performance Center. Reflecting on how the show will take place in an empty PC, Booker T spoke about what a surreal experience it will be without fans in attendance. 

    “I’m just gonna keep it real on this. WrestleMania, of course, has always been about the payoff,” Booker T said during an episode of his podcast, The Hall of Fame. 

    “It’s always been about those great matches of course, but I always thought that WrestleMania was more so about the event, the spectacle for the crowd. The people to be a part of and for the fans not to be a part of WrestleMania is definitely going to be something I never thought I would witness in my lifetime because I always thought that was what WrestleMania was.”

    Booker T also highlighted how WrestleMania has always featured stars, pointing at Muhammad Ali, Mr. T, Lawrence Taylor and Mike Tyson. He explained how WrestleMania has always been “another level” for everyone. He noted how it wasn’t just excitement for the fans, but that WWE Superstars looked forward to ‘Mania. 

    WrestleMania 36 takes place on April 5 from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. It was initially meant to take place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Both the Hall of Fame and NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay have been cancelled. 

    H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription. 

  • Booker T Believes Eric Bischoff Doesn’t Deserve A Hall Of Fame Induction

    Booker T Believes Eric Bischoff Doesn’t Deserve A Hall Of Fame Induction

    Booker T is of the opinion that the former President of World Championship Wrestling Eric Bischoff doesn’t deserve to be inducted into WWE’s Hall of Fame.

    Speaking on the Hall of Fame podcast on ESPN, Booker T said that while he doesn’t really have a bad thing to say about Eric Bischoff he, just thinks that Bischoff doesn’t deserve to be inducted into the HOF because of how he handled WCW. According to Booker T, the end of the promotion began when Bischoff wrote himself in an on-screen storyline. According to Booker, there’s no way one can manage a company when they’re in the middle of it, heavily involved as an on-screen personality.

    “I just thought that was the recipe for disaster, and the demise at the end of the day, for WCW. I just don’t know, people can say ‘well Vince McMahon, he played a part in the company.’ Well, it was his money. It was his company. Eric Bischoff was hired to do a certain job, and I say the same thing about Vince Russo.”

    Related: Kevin Nash Believes Eric Bischoff Deserves Solo Induction Into WWE Hall Of Fame

    Booker T then touched on other things that he thought Eric Bischoff did wrong with WCW, such as hiring Vince Russo as a writer for the promotion. Russo also wrote himself into storylines and even won the WCW Heavyweight Championship. Booker T thinks that Bischoff should just have never been part of the company in this way, as far as he is concerned, Bischoff should have just had just stayed as the creator.

    After Russo’s arrival in the promotion, the ratings went plummeting down. Top stars of the company were unhappy with their position and how the management was handling them.

    Eric Bischoff will probably respond to Booker T’s comments via his 83 Weeks podcast, so that is something to look forward to.

    Meanwhile, we don’t know if the Hall of Fame or even WrestleMania will be held in April, due to concerns of the coronavirus epidemic.

    Quotes used in this article courtesy of WrestlingNews.co.

  • Booker T Isn’t “Sold” On Becky Lynch Vs Shayna Baszler

    Booker T Isn’t “Sold” On Becky Lynch Vs Shayna Baszler

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently shared his support in WWE’s decision to book Roman Reigns vs Goldberg at WrestleMania 36. However, during a recent episode of his podcast The Hall of Fame, Booker T remained unconvinced about another headline matchup: Shayna Baszler vs Becky Lynch.

    “I’m not sold on it. I’ll just say that. I’m not sold on it yet,” he confessed. “But I’m like this man. I’m thinking about the performance more than anything, I’m thinking about when you go out and perform, you know, in Elimination Chamber…WrestleMania. Those are big moments for me. Going into a match like that. I trust Becky Lynch. Becky has done a lot of good things over this last year, she’s put herself in position to, you know, be called ‘the man.’”

    Booker T On Becky Lynch’s Past Opponents

    Booker T noted how Lynch has been performing at a consistent quality against “really, really high calibre talent.” Booker T then pointed towards her matches with both Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks, adding how they can “go out there and really perform [at the] next level.”

    “Now I’m wondering, Becky Lynch against Shayna Baszler. You know, how is that thing gonna go? How are they going to match up? As far as going out there and creating some beautiful magic? Because at the end of the day it really is all about Shakespeare. It really is all about going out there and performing for the fans.”

    Becky Lynch aims to defend her WWE RAW Women’s Championship against Shayna Baszler at WrestleMania 36. The event takes place on April 5 from the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. 

    H/T to WrestlingNews for the transcription.

  • Booker T Discusses Roman Reigns Vs. Goldberg At WrestleMania 36

    Booker T Discusses Roman Reigns Vs. Goldberg At WrestleMania 36

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has spoken about WWE’s decision to book Roman Reigns versus Goldberg at WrestleMania 36. The two will compete for Goldberg’s WWE Universal Championship. He defeated ‘The Fiend’ Bray Wyatt for the gold during WWE’s Super ShowDown event in Saudi Arabia.

    “[…] Roman Reigns, he’s set up. I see this thing working out perfectly, and we were just talking about this a month ago,” he said on his podcast, The Hall of Fame. “Callers were calling in, all upset, ‘You know man, it doesn’t look like anything’s going to happen. It’s going to be the worst WrestleMania in history.’ There’s still a lot of people upset about The Fiend thing, and there’s going to be.”

    Booker T Argues In Favor Of Reigns Vs. Goldberg

    Booker T shared how he personally liked the decision to go ahead with this matchup. His co-host Brad Gilmore agreed, highlighting the list of Superstars that Reigns has previously faced at Wrestlemania. Alongside Triple H, Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker, Gilmore argued that facing Goldberg would help solidify his place in wrestling history.

    “Nah, man Roman’s done that already,” Booker T stated. “I said he had big shoes to fill coming into this company, and he’s went out there and he’s done that very, very well. At one point, the direction of his character was slipping a little bit. The fans didn’t want to see that Roman Reigns, and I think that’s what started the downward spiral of Roman Reigns—was the fans not wanting to support him. Then, all of the sudden, the ship was righted, and Roman said, ‘Hey man, let me just go out and do what I do, man…And that’s beat guys up, and lock and load, and drop the hammer. We might can make some monies.”

    Booker T continued, “And I think that’s what happened. Roman went out and started being himself and the fans still were kind of on the fence. But when Roman went away – and then was gone for a while – with his illness and then he came back [to the ring] again…absence make the heart grow founder! The people love it, and now with this match right here, is a moment. There’s a moment that we can capture right here, that we can never ever get back.”

    Roman Reigns faces Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36. The event takes place on April 5 from the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

    H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

  • Booker T Names Who Helped With WWE Backstage Hiring, CM Punk

    Booker T Names Who Helped With WWE Backstage Hiring, CM Punk

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared who was responsible for him becoming a part of FS1’s WWE Backstage show. Speaking with Lilian Garcia on her podcast, Chasing Glory, Booker T was quick to credit his co-host, Renee Young, as being instrumental in his hiring.

    “Big props to Renee, actually, because I wasn’t even on the radar, I think, to come and do this thing,” he said. “Renee was like, ‘Man, you all need to interview Book. You all need to bring him in, look at him,’ because me and Renee, we’ve got chemistry together.”

    He continued, “We were doing the WWE Kickoff parties, and we realized we had chemistry, and it was just organic… They brought me in, they auditioned me. Next thing you know, I get the gig.”

    Booker T On CM Punk

    Despite being a panelist on the show, Booker T shared that he had no clue that CM Punk was going to become a part of WWE Backstage. Punk occasionally joins the team as a contributor and WWE analyst. He admitted that it’s great to have Punk as a part of their team and provide his unfiltered take on WWE. “I didn’t know he was there,” Booker T admitted. “It was definitely authentic. Having him be part of the show is awesome.”

    Booker T joins Renee Young every Tuesday night for WWE Backstage on FS1.

    H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription. 

  • Booker T Praises John Morrison, Believes He Has The “It Factor”

    Booker T Praises John Morrison, Believes He Has The “It Factor”

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has praised SmackDown Superstar John Morrison. During an episode of his podcast, Hall of Fame, Booker T shared how he feels Morrison has an undeniable “IT factor.”

    Booker T On John Morrison

    Booker T revealed his thoughts off the back of a fan question. He was asked whether he would prefer for The Miz and Morrison to defend their newly won SmackDown Tag Team Championships against The New Day or The Usos at WrestleMania 36. For Booker T, he’d prefer the champions to go up against the New Day. He noted how Morrison has been a star since day one.

    “[WWE] Made him the tag team champion, put him right back in the mix, and that’s what you need to do with someone like Morrison,” he explained. “Because, honestly, John Morrison, he’s not a sideline player. He’s not a guy you want to bring in off the bench. He’s the guy you want to keep in rotation, keep him in the game, you know. Keep him warm, keep him hot.”

    Booker T continued, “This guy, you look at him, you know from from day one. He’s always had that, that one thing man he always had stop star potential. He always had that, what would that ‘je ne sais quoi.’ The ‘IT’ factor you know what I mean? But yeah, man. He always had ‘it.’”

    John Morrison teamed with The Miz to win the tag team championships during WWE’s recent Super ShowDown event in Saudi Arabia. 

    H/T to WrestlingNews for the transcription. 

  • Booker T Comments On Goldberg Beating The Fiend

    Booker T Comments On Goldberg Beating The Fiend

    Goldberg defeated Bray Wyatt’s “Fiend” at Super ShowDown yesterday to win the WWE Universal Championship. The match result has garnered strong reactions from fans and those in the wrestling industry. Booker T took to his radio show recently to give his thoughts on the matter.

    “Always expect the unexpected,” Booker said in a Macho Man voice. “Anything can happen in WWE. My thing is, I didn’t think this was going to happen either, I didn’t see this happening.”

    Booker continued to say that he felt there was an opportunity for a big “moment” to occur in Saudi Arabia but he wasn’t sure exactly what that would be.

    Booker then talked about a potential Roman Reigns vs Goldberg match at WrestleMania. He joked that it would be “old spear” versus “new spear” and that they should work in a little “Shakespeare.”

    “I like it because my thing is right here, how else were we going to get the belt off the Fiend?” Booker said about Wyatt losing.

    “Who else taking the title off the Fiend would have been better than Goldberg?” Booker asked. His co-host, Brad Gilmore, suggested Roman Reigns may have been better.

    “What is better, Roman conquering the Fiend? Or Roman conquering Goldberg?” Booker questioned.

    “One thing about Goldberg is, the guy still has his fans,” Booker concluded about Goldberg.

    “People know every time they see Goldberg, it could be the last time, so just savor the flavor,” he continued.

    Booker’s comments can be heard in the below YouTube video:

  • Booker T Discusses Modern Wrestling’s Scripted Promos

    Booker T Discusses Modern Wrestling’s Scripted Promos

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T joined Lilian Garcia on her podcast, Chasing Glory. During their conversation, Booker T shared his thoughts on WWE’s heavily scripted promos.

    He compared these scripts to how things were when he was an active in-ring competitor. Booker noted how scripts can “take away a lot of the originality.” Despite this, however, Booker T also addressed the positives scripts can provide. He pointed to his experiences as King Booker as an example.

    “I remember back in the day, John Laurinaitis, he used to write a lot of my matches for me. Just the finish, he would write the finish for me,” Booker T explained. “In the beginning I told him, I go, “Man, I don’t work like this. I’m an artist.” He’d go, “Just look it over and just try it.” I went out and I was like, “All right, I’ll try it.” I went out and I did, and I was like, “Wow, man, I look like a million bucks.””

    He continued, “If I got someone working with me and I know they can make me look better and then they give me the liberty to say, “Hey, use it if you like it. If you don’t, throw it out,” that’s going to make me a whole lot better, opposed to someone just telling me, “Hey, this is what you got tonight.” For me, I had Brian Gewirtz, back when I was doing the King Booker.”

    Booker T has previously praised Gewirtz for helping him with the King Booker character. With his notes, Booker T was able to embrace the gimmick and deliver his promos with a little ad-libbing thrown in.

    H/T to WrestleZone for the transcription. 

  • Booker T On Who Should John Cena Face At WrestleMania

    Booker T On Who Should John Cena Face At WrestleMania

    John Cena will be returning to WWE this Friday Night on SmackDown and there are speculations that he will kick off his WrestleMania feud during his comeback.

    WWE Hall Of Famer Booker T talked about Cena’s return on the latest episode of his podcast and revealed his choice of WrestleMania opponent for the 16-time world champion.

    Booker interestingly suggested that the Cenation Leader should face the current face of WWE, Roman Reigns, at this year’s edition of the Show Of Shows:

    “Roman Reigns, Roman Reigns being the guy now, John Cena being the guy who has put in so much time, one of the greatest WWE Champions in history.

    I know John Cena could pull it off, I know Roman Reigns could pull it off.  Both of those guys know the art of going out there and doing Romeo and Juliet.”

    Booker T later acknowledged that a lot of people would not want to see the match between the two on paper but he claimed they will be impressed when the bout takes place.

    John Cena has locked up with Roman Reigns before. The two faced each other in a one on one match at No Mercy 2017, and the Big Dog came out victorious in the bout.

    Cena was originally expected to face Elias at WrestleMania 36 but recent reports indicate that WWE has shaken up the card for the event recently. You can check out a detailed report on the matter here.

    Quotes via WrestlingInc

  • Booker T Talks Infamous WWF Match Against Buff Bagwell

    Booker T Talks Infamous WWF Match Against Buff Bagwell

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently commented on the now infamous match between him and Buff Bagwell back in 2001. The match has been described on WWE.com as “the most awkward ever.”

    The former King of The Ring winner seems to agree.

    Booker T vs Buff Bagwell

    The match was seemingly the true death knell for the WCW brand. Whilst Vince McMahon had already bought his competition; there was a belief that WCW could still function as a separate entity. With the rumors at the time indicating that Nitro would become the Monday show and SmackDown would be the WWF show later in the week. Due to the massively negative reaction that the match got in the main event of the July 2, 2001 edition of RAW the idea was seemingly scrapped. Although it seemed as though Bagwell and Booker undelivered; it’s arguable that they were never put in a position to succeed in the first place.

    Booker T discussed the bout during the most recent episode of Lillian Garcia’s Chasing Glory podcast. “It was a real war back then between WCW and WWF, you know,” Booker began. “And it didn’t help putting Bagwell and I in that spot, I think we were Tacoma, Washington.”

    Booker T

    Booker T elaborated further, mentioning how they were never going to succeed in that position. “It was one of those things where, we were in a position. You know. Fail or succeed. [Except] it wasn’t designed for us to succeed, I understood that. I think Bagwell may have understood that, as well. And and what happened happened I go back and I look at the match, and it wasn’t the crappiest match in the world but it was no way that we’re gonna succeed.”

    You can listen to Lillian Garcia’s Chasing Glory every week via iTunes, Stitcher or your favourite podcast host

  • Booker T Says That Deontay Wilder Will Beat Tyson Fury

    Booker T Says That Deontay Wilder Will Beat Tyson Fury

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently commented on tonight’s huge boxing heavyweight contest between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. There has been speculation since Fury’s WWE appearance in Saudi Arabia as to whether he would be returning to the squared circle. Tonight’s bout will most likely be a huge determining factor as to whether or not the ‘Gypsy King’ returns to WWE soon.

    Booker is currently on location at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Booker will covering the fight, and he revealed his pick for the mega showdown on the Hall of Fame podcast.

    Can Deontay Wilder Adjust His ‘Game?’

    Booker T first talked about how Wilder is being expected to ‘adapt’ to Fury, according to a number of leading pundits. “Deontay Wilder, can he go out and adjust his game?” Booker began. “That’s the question I think more than anything. What I don’t know if that’s fair or not? Putting the onus on the champion to go out there and change his game.”

    Booker also referenced the fact that in the pair’s first first Wilder scored two knockdowns on the ‘Gypsy King’ Tyson Fury. “He’s [Wilder] the only one that, was in that [first] fight that got two big knockdowns on his opponent. You know Fury didn’t knock him down. Wilder vs Anthony Joshua, that’s what everybody wants to see. I do feel like in this fight that Deontay Wilder will stake his claim to be the Heavyweight Champion of the world. Nobody wants to see boring Tyson Fury go out there and fight Joshua.”

    The former King of The Ring confirmed that he believed Wilder would win in around 7-8 rounds. Fury himself has said that he intends on knocking out Wilder within two rounds, and Booker T responded to this by saying “for him to go and knock out Wilder in two rounds? He would probably of had to be doing something that is probably not legal; as far as the USADA side and whatnot.”

  • Booker T Calls Carmella “Female Miz” Of Women’s Division

    Booker T Calls Carmella “Female Miz” Of Women’s Division

    Booker T thinks that Carmella is the “female Miz” of the women’s division.

    On last night’s episode of WWE Backstage, the WWE Hall of Famer praised Carmella while discussing the upcoming SmackDown Live Women’s title match between her and Bayley.

    Booker T first talked about Bayley and said that while she’s great she is still trying to find herself and going through a transformation.

    Coming to Carmella, Booker T said, “…I look at Carmella and what I see is consistency. What I see in Carmella is– she’s the “female Miz” of the women’s division. She’s like a timeless watch man, she takes a lickin’, she keeps on ticking.”

    A fan posted a clip of the above segment from the show and tagged Carmella. Carmella seems really happy with Booker’s comments and retweeted the video, saying that Booker T is stating facts.

    You can check out the tweet by Carmella below:

    Carmella joined WWE in 2013 when she signed a contract with the company and was assigned to NXT in Orlando, Florida. In October of 2014, she began a stint on the brand with Enzo Amore and Big Cass.

    In July 2016, she made her main roster debut on SmackDown. A year later, she went on to become the winner of the first-ever women’s Money in the Bank ladder match and subsequently became the first woman to cash in her MITB briefcase in April of 2018. She cashed it against Charlotte Flair and won the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship.

    She is also the winner of WrestleMania 35’s Women’s Battle Royal and has most recently won the WWE 24/7 Championship twice.

  • Booker T Discusses John Cena’s Brock Lesnar Comments

    Booker T Discusses John Cena’s Brock Lesnar Comments

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared his two cents on John Cena’s comments regarding Brock Lesnar. Cena recently shared his opinion that Lesnar is the “best in-ring performer of all time” in an interview with Sports Illustrated. Speaking on his podcast, The Hall of Fame, Booker T addressed Cena’s words.

    “I know where John is coming from,” Booker T said. “[…] I can say I had a small piece in teaching John Cena the art in Shakespeare. People think I am throwing shade on him when I say John Cena is very limited as far as move set. He’s a guy who parlayed his skills all the way to the main event, the most decorated champion in WWE history. For John to make that statement about Brock Lesnar, I can’t say he’s wrong.”

    He continued, “I wouldn’t necessarily say the best, he’s not number one on my list but as far a performer goes, right now, today, on the roster, in my opinion, Brock Lesnar is the most believable guy on our roster today in 2020, bar none. If anybody wants to challenge me on that, do so. The most believable athlete walking out of that curtain. He makes you believe it, you want more of it even if you don’t want more.”

    Booker T On Lesnar’s Rumble Performance

    Booker T looked at Lesnar’s performance in the Royal Rumble matchup as an example of this, calling it “awesome.” He believes people will remember January’s Rumble match for a long time because of Lesnar’s involvement and that, no matter who Lesnar’s opponent is, “if and when that guy beats Brock Lesnar, the fans go crazy. That’s a moment.” 

    Brock Lesnar defends his WWE Championship against Ricochet at WWE Super ShowDown on Thursday, February 27th. The event takes place from King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

    H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

  • Booker T Comments On Matt Riddle & Brock Lesnar Confrontation

    Booker T Comments On Matt Riddle & Brock Lesnar Confrontation

    According to various reports, Brock Lesnar and Matt Riddle got into some kind of altercation backstage at the Royal Rumble. Lesnar is reported to have told Riddle he will not work with him. Booker T talked about the issues regarding Riddle and Lesnar on his “The Hall of Fame with Booker T” on ESPN 97.5 recently.

    “These sites will pick something up in a heartbeat and they will run with it,” Booker T pointed out about wrestling sites.

    “I was looking on social media, actually on some of the sites, and they were talking about Matt Riddle saying ‘Man, forget that, I want the title shot, I’m taking his career, I’m going to finish Brock Lesnar.’”

    Booker was referencing a video posted by the official WWE PC YouTube channel. In the video, Riddle continued to say he plans on retiring Brock Lesnar. The video was posted after reports of Riddle and Lesnar’s confrontation at the Rumble went public. It is not clear, however, if Riddle’s comments in the video were made before his meeting with Lesnar or after. Some of Riddle’s comments seem to indicate the video was filmed after Lesnar reportedly said he wouldn’t work with him, however.

    “I don’t care if he wants the match or not. I’m going to get it. I don’t care, it’s not up to him,” Riddle said in the video. “I don’t like being told no, especially when I work as hard as I do.”

    Booker T Continues To Talk About Matt Riddle

    “This ain’t the UFC and that’s what I want to relay also,” Booker said.

    “If someone don’t want to work with you, if someone don’t like you, it definitely can be a problem for you,” Booker continued.

    Booker would then say he feels the media turned in-character comments of Riddle’s into a shoot story.

    “So, that’s why I feel like, this deal right here he was in character one moment and then the media took the character and made it a shoot because of what happened on Sunday.”

    “On one of the sites, it actually gives you everything verbatim as far as what he said but you got to click on the video to see what it really is.”

    Do you think Riddle’s comments in the WWE PC Video were in-character or “shoot”? Let us know in the comments section below.

    Booker’s comments can be heard in the player below: