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Tag: Booker T

  • Booker T Says Chris Benoit Was The Greatest Wrestler He Ever Stepped In Ring With

    Booker T Says Chris Benoit Was The Greatest Wrestler He Ever Stepped In Ring With

    While WWE tries not to mention Chris Benoit’s name, fans have not forgotten his excellence in the ring and every once in a while, a wrestling star also reminds people of his legacy in the squared circle.

    Booker T who attended Chris Jericho’s Rock N’ Wrestling Rager took part in a Q&A session at the boat and talked about his early days in wrestling business.

    During the session, The WWE Hall Of Famer also talked about Chris Benoit’s influence on his career, saying that his matches with the former WWE star were what put him on the map:

    “It’s not talked about a lot, but the matches that put me on the map was with Chris Benoit in the best of seven series, god rest him and his family’s soul. Chris Benoit was literally, the greatest wrestler that I ever had the pleasure of being inside the ring with.

    “He was one of the best wrestlers, if not, the best to put on a pair of boots. He brought out the best of every guy that got in the ring with him. Anyone who got in the ring with Benoit was a better person when they walked out of the ring, trust me.”

    Booker T then revealed that he never had to practice his matches with Benoit in advance and most of the things they did in the ring was worked on the fly.

    Apart from this, Booker also explained that The Nasty Boys were his favorite tag team to face and claimed that he is lobbying for them to be inducted into Hall Of Fame this year.

    Quotes via WrestlingInc

  • WWE Files To Trademark “Harlem Heat”

    WWE Files To Trademark “Harlem Heat”

    WWE has filed to trademark the name “Harlem Heat” for wrestling purposes recently. According to documents publicly available through the US Patents and Trademark Office, WWE filed to trademark the term on January 13th, 2020.

    The popular WCW tag team was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last year. They are former 10x WCW tag team champions. Harlem Heat was named the Tag Team Of The Year in 1995 and 1996 by Pro Wrestling Illustrated. They were also honored with the Tag Team Award by the Cauliflower Ear Club in 2018.

    Booker T On Harlem Heat

    “My brother and I, we paved the way for so many other young African-American wrestlers that watched us and said ‘man if Booker T and Stevie Ray can do it, we can do it too’,” Booker said on ESPN radio after Harlem Heat’s WWE Hall of Fame induction was announced.

    “We talk about how there’s not that many black wrestlers in this business, it’s because they didn’t get a chance to see a whole lot of them in there actually doing it. That’s why my brother and I — us getting that nod — of course, yeah, we deserve it because we paved the way, not just for so many black wrestlers like Street Profits, but so many young white kids as well. We represented for everyone!”

    The purposes listed for the trademark include: “Clothing, namely, tops, shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, hoodies; outerwear, namely, coats; bottoms, pants, shorts, underwear, dresses, pajamas, lingerie, clothing ties, scarves, gloves, swimwear; Halloween and masquerade costumes; footwear, namely, shoes, sneakers, slippers, flip flops, boots; headwear, namely, hats, caps; wrist bands; bandanas.”

  • Booker T: Making Tessa Blanchard World Champion Is ‘The Worst Idea’ In Impact History

    Booker T: Making Tessa Blanchard World Champion Is ‘The Worst Idea’ In Impact History

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T thinks it was a terrible idea for Impact Wrestling to make controversial figure Tessa Blanchard become their World Champion.

    The former WCW World Champion commented on the situation on the latest installment of his Hall of Fame podcast.

    Booker T first praised Tessa Blanchard for her work, but he went on to claim that making her the world champion is ‘the worst idea’ in Impact’s history.

    “I’m not holding my judgement on it. Big ups to Tessa Blanchard because she’s good. She’s really good at what she does, but this is the worst idea for Impact Wrestling in the history of the company, it really is that bad. It’s worse than paying me 10 grand for six-hour power commercial that never aired.”

    Explaining the reasoning behind his comments, The WWE Hall Of Famer said that now if she goes against the men in the promotion and beats them, then it will diminish every guy in the company.

    He later compared it to WWE and Booker said that he can’t imagine Becky Lynch going up against Samoa Joe or Brock Lesnar. The former Champion claimed that intergender wrestling is for independent companies.

    You can listen to Booker T’s comments about Tessa Blanchard winning the Impact Wrestling World Championship below:

  • Booker T On Facing The Revival, Wanting To Manage The Street Profits

    Booker T On Facing The Revival, Wanting To Manage The Street Profits

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has laid out two goals he would like to keep in 2020. During 2019’s final episode of WWE Backstage, Booker T shared how he would love to team up with his brother, Stevie Ray, to take on The Revival. He also reiterated his interest in managing RAW tag team The Street Profits.

    “You know, since I am a tag team extraordinaire, tag team specialist, fourteen Tag Team Championships throughout my reign in this business, I’m looking forward to the tag team division getting crunk in 2020,” Booker T said. He then added, “And I might even manage The Street Profits somewhere along the year.”

    Renee Young then asked Booker T about his interest in facing off against The Revival. A match between the two teams was initially teased during the WWE TLC Kickoff show last year after The Revival disrespected Booker T. The Revival challenged Harlem Heat to come out of retirement and face them in a one-time matchup. Reflecting on this challenge, Booker T confessed that he and Stevie Ray have spoken about accepting the match. He noted how he has “one left in me” before warning Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson to not “get jacked up, sucka!”

    Booker T On How He’d Manage The Street Profits

    Booker T has previously stated his interest in managing The Street Profits. During an interview with ESPN 97.5 in Houston, he shared how he would help them evolve as a team, stating he would “Just put a little bit more street on em, that’s all. It’d be no playing, no jiving, just business.”

    He explained how, sometimes, a wrestler has to be viewed as more than just an entertainer. When you can make that switch, he noted that you “[…] feel it in the soul, deep down in one’s bones. That’s what I loved about the business and that’s what I think I can bring to the Street Profits.”

    H/T to Wrestlezone for the transcription.

  • Booker T On Where Luke Harper Could Be Headed After His WWE Release

    Booker T On Where Luke Harper Could Be Headed After His WWE Release

    The recent release of Luke Harper and other WWE stars is still a hot topic of discussion among wrestling fans and people have been talking about what the future might hold for these talents after their release from the promotion.

    Former World Champion Booker T joined this conversation recently when he talked about the news on the latest episode of his Hall Of Famer podcast.

    The former WCW star first talked about Harper being underutilized in the company and he then went on to claim that he sees Japan written all over him:

    “I see Japan written all over this kid. I see New Japan. I see this guy working over there for many, many years getting paid some long, long, long green duckets because they love big Americans like Luke Harper in Japan, so I see Luke Harper having a great career even after WWE, making perhaps more money than he ever made in his life.”

    Booker T later explained that if Luke can turn out to be like Stan Hansen, then he would be able to make a whole lot of money while working in Japan.

    Apart from this, Booker T also talked about the Ascension and discussed how it’s very hard to duplicate The Road Warriors because they were the first ones to come to the ring with the face paint and shoulder gears.

    Quotes via WrestlingInc

  • Booker T Believes The Rock Is “The Best Promo Guy” Ever

    Booker T Believes The Rock Is “The Best Promo Guy” Ever

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has named Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the “best promo guy that ever did it.” He made the declaration during a recent episode of his podcast, The Hall of Fame. 

    “There have been so many great promos,” Booker explained. “The Rock was the best promo guy that ever did it because he really knew how to capture the moment and when I say to capture the moment I mean he talked about the local area where we were, the stadium, where he went to eat, he took you on a story. When you do it like that you’re just standing in awe, man.”

    He claimed that there will never be another Superstar on the same level as Johnson, pointing at his ability to improvise on the fly based on the audience reaction. Booker T also credited WWE writer Brian Gewirtz for helping Rock and himself in bringing their characters to life. He stressed that without Gewirtz, King Booker would never have worked.

    Booker T explained how he often wasn’t comfortable with what he was expected to deliver, believing it would sound “stupid.” With Gewirtz coaching and help, however, he was able to embrace his character and deliver his lines with a little ad-libbing added in. He believes this guidance helped Johnson elevate his promo work as well.

    H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription. 

  • Booker T Discusses The Corey Graves/Mauro Ranallo Situation

    Booker T Discusses The Corey Graves/Mauro Ranallo Situation

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared his thoughts on the recent situation following Corey Graves comments aimed at Mauro Ranallo during NXT TakeOver: WarGames.

    Speaking on his show, Reality of Wrestling, Booker T explained how people can’t just share unfiltered opinions and expect them to be immediately forgiven or forgotten.

    “You can’t be just saying anything in 2019 and expect for it to be swept under the rug,” he said. “I really don’t know what happened. I know Corey Graves put out an apology to Mauro. I don’t know what really sparked it or what is really going on behind the scenes.”

    Booker T then paid respect to Ranallo. He noted how hard he works to do the best he can as an NXT commentator and WWE employee. He shared how he always hatted getting ribbed in the past, often calling people out for fights if he found out he was responsible.

    “Big ups to everything you do because I know how hard you work. The angle thing, back in the day, I hated getting ribbed. If they ribbed me, no one would tell me whoever did it. I would always say, ‘You can rib me if you want, but if I find out who did it, you’re gonna be in a fight. Just letting you know.’ Don’t play with me like that, because I’m not to be played with. Shoutout to Mauro, get yourself together, get back on the horse. Get your ass back to work, bro.”

    In case you missed it, Graves made some disparaging comments about Ranallo’s vocal contribution to TakeOver. He suggested that Ranallo was talking all over his teammates Beth Phoenix and Nigel McGuiness. Ranallo would delete his Twitter following Graves’ remarks.

    H/T to Wrestlezone for the transcription.

  • Booker T On Jordan Myles’ Quitting Video: “He’s Doing Himself An Injustice”

    Booker T On Jordan Myles’ Quitting Video: “He’s Doing Himself An Injustice”

    Booker T has addressed the video that NXT Superstar Jordan Myles uploaded to his social media. That video featured Myles deliver an impassioned, expletive riddled speech, ending with his declaration that he is quitting WWE. 

    Speaking on his podcast, The Hall of Fame, Booker T talked about the controversial shirt design that initially sparked Myles’ ire. He also commented on Myles’ reaction and his own experiences within the wrestling industry.

    “I don’t know if Jordan Myles has quit the company, but on social media, he’s saying he quit the company,” Booker T said. “I’m not going to sit here and judge or anything like that. I’m not going to sit here and say ‘Guy should have did this, guy should have done that.’ I’m going to lay out on that because I don’t need or want any backlash before someone said ‘Well, Booker said this’ or ‘Booker said that.’ I’m just going to say this, man: the situation…it all started with the t-shirt and now it has gotten to this.”

    “He’s Doing Himself An Injustice”

    One of the statements Myles made during his video claimed that the entire company was racist. Booker T highlighted how a comment like this could ultimately damage his Myles’ own message.

    “I don’t know where it’s going to go from here. I have been on this earth for 54 years and if you think one person is something, call them that, or if you think that person is something, call them that, but I cannot judge a group and say everybody is that,” Booker T explained.

    “When you make a blanket statement like that you do no justice for yourself or the culture. I say this because I have had a lot of years and a lot of experience. I do know that I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for a white guy named Bruce Gasarch, who made this all happen for me as far as changing my life, which is another story.”

    Booker T then shared how, if he had judged everyone in the same manner after his personal experience of going to prison, blaming the system and hating “everybody of that color,” he would have done himself a disservice. 

    “[…] being a kid who had never been in trouble before and for the first time being locked up in the back of a police car saying that, ‘the system did me wrong. I hate everybody of that color’, you know what I mean? If I did that, I would have done myself an injustice more than anything and I think that is the situation that I want to make clear here. The way he’s going by this, he’s doing himself an injustice.”

    Myles won the NXT Breakout Tournament earlier this year. In the wake of his video, the Superstar has changed his Twitter handle back to Super ACH. He also stripped all references to WWE from his social media accounts. 

    H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription. 

  • Booker T Compares Sammy Guevara To A Young Eddie Guerrero

    Booker T Compares Sammy Guevara To A Young Eddie Guerrero

    Booker T spoke about Sammy Guevara on his podcast recently and offered a large amount of praise for the 26-year-old. Guevara is from the Houston area and trained at Booker’s Reality of Wrestling school before making his pro-debut in 2013.

    During the show, Booker compares Sammy Guevara with a young Eddie Guerrero and says the comparison is a good fit.

    “When you look at Sammy, he’s a good looking kid, he really is. And he can really perform at such a young age. And that’s what I look at most about this young kid. That was his debut match going out there in front of the world and doing such an awesome job and letting the world see, ‘hey, man. This kid is pretty good. We got our eyes on him.’ So no, I don’t think it’s too early to be saying something like that about Sammy.”

    Booker then asked his co-host Brad about what he thinks about the comparison.

    “It’s a big comparison to make about anybody but the comparison isn’t he reminds me of Eddie Guerrero it’s that he reminds me of a young Eddie Guerrero.”

    Booker continued to say he thinks Sammy Guevara and a young Eddie Guerrero is a good comparison.

    “As well as good as Eddie was when he was that young,” Booker continued. “Because that tells a story as far as how good one is gonna be when you see him when they first get in the ring.”

    “So, yeah. Sammy and the comparison, I think it’s actually a pretty good comparison.”

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

  • Booker T Speculates On What’s Next For “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

    Booker T Speculates On What’s Next For “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has addressed “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt’s recent Universal Championship victory. Wyatt defeated former champion Seth Rollins in the main event of WWE’s recent event Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia.

    Speaking on the Reality of Wrestling podcast, Booker T spoke about what comes next for “The Fiend.”

    “I said it on the kickoff show as we’re getting ready to go into a new era. Bray Wyatt is going to be not only the conqueror of the WWE, going from The Undertaker and then moving onto John Cena, and now The Fiend has arrived,” Booker said.

    He continued, “Where does The Fiend go? He can’t just keep popping up and cutting the lights on and off. We need to put the rocket on him and send him straight to the moon and let everyone else chase. We need to find someone who can beat The Fiend.”

    “You’re The Guy”

    Booker T shared how anybody in the locker room could become “the guy” to step up next now that “The Fiend” has become established at the top of SmackDown’s roster. For him, however, he believes the next logical choice is Daniel Bryan.

    “Everybody in the locker room is now in a position to put themselves in a place where anything can happen for them,” he stated. “They can get a phone call that says, ‘You’re the guy.’ Humberto Carrillo, he might be the guy. Somebody right now is in prime position to step up and have the fans look at them in a totally different way.”

    “[Bryan] would have been the guy to actually been a fiend right now just because the fans would believe in him so much. We need somebody that the fans are gonna believe in 100 percent to get behind. There’s not a whole lot of guys I can think of that I could go to right now to put against The Fiend. I might have to bring The Undertaker back to make this thing work. You never know.”

    H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription. 

  • Jordan Myles Reacts To The Idea Of Apologizing To Jay Lethal, Booker T’s Opinions

    Jordan Myles Reacts To The Idea Of Apologizing To Jay Lethal, Booker T’s Opinions

    NXT Superstar Jordan Myles has returned to Twitter, sharing his thoughts on the controversy surrounding a t-shirt design WWE created for him. Myles reacted to the idea of apologizing to former Ring of Honor World Champion Jay Lethal. He also addressed Booker T’s recent thoughts on how he dealt with the situation. 

    He questioned why he should apologize for being honest, asking why he shouldn’t voice his opinions about pro wrestling. Myles stressed he is proud to be a professional wrestler and even prouder to be African American. He added that people can “Stand with me and stand behind me.#ForTheCulture.”

    https://twitter.com/GoGoMyles/status/1189541620259135488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1189541620259135488&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wrestlinginc.com%2Fnews%2F2019%2F10%2Fjordan-myles-laughs-at-idea-of-jay-lethal-apology-661480%2F

    When told be a fan that he needed to publicly apologize to Jay Lethal, Myles uploaded a video of him breaking into laughter, accompanied by a caption that read: 

    “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I’ll apologize for not being sorry.”

    https://twitter.com/GoGoMyles/status/1189557659499978759?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1189557659499978759&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wrestlinginc.com%2Fnews%2F2019%2F10%2Fjordan-myles-laughs-at-idea-of-jay-lethal-apology-661480%2F

    Respect

    Myles confessed that he was emotional in his initial approach, adding he had nothing but respect for Booker T. He made a public request to be on Booker T’s podcast, stating that they could “discuss this situation as a whole.”

    https://twitter.com/GoGoMyles/status/1189563853350285314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1189563853350285314&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wrestlinginc.com%2Fnews%2F2019%2F10%2Fjordan-myles-laughs-at-idea-of-jay-lethal-apology-661480%2F
    https://twitter.com/GoGoMyles/status/1189547680197988353?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1189547680197988353&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wrestlinginc.com%2Fnews%2F2019%2F10%2Fjordan-myles-laughs-at-idea-of-jay-lethal-apology-661480%2F

    The WWE Superstar recently released a statement to his Instagram account. In that statement, Myles admitted his initial, emotional response was unprofessional and disrespectful. He has since launched a new shirt of his own, with all proceeds going towards the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) foundation. 

  • Booker T Addresses Randy Orton’s “Elite” Tease

    Booker T Addresses Randy Orton’s “Elite” Tease

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has addressed Randy Orton’s recent teasing over his interest in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Speaking on his podcast, The Hall of Fame, Booker T addressed the photo Orton uploaded of himself next to a sign that read “Elite Level.”

    “Look at the talent they [AEW] has,” Booker said. “Cody Rhodes, The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega and Randy Orton is an elite level player. I always said Randy Orton is an elite wrestler, an elite superstar.”

    He continued, “He’s my guy, I always said that and one thing about Randy is he’s always been a rebel, he’s always been a guy that walks to the beat of his own drum. If anybody was to do something crazy it would be Randy.”

    Booker T explained how AEW is “on the edge,” pointing to Jon Moxley as a prime example of somebody pushing the envelope, rebelling, and finding a platform that supports him.

    Ultimately, however, he believes that Orton will end up staying with WWE. He explained how “Randy Orton is safe and he’s taken care of very well in the WWE.”

    Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder of The Revival recently added to Orton’s Elite tease. They had been briefly associated with Randy Orton on WWE television prior to the WWE Draft separating them. 

    This isn’t the first time that Orton has addressed AEW. He was recently heard praising All Elite Wrestling’s premiere episode of Dynamite whilst streaming a video game.

    It’s worth noting that Orton is coming to the end of a 10-year contract with WWE. Unless a new deal has been negotiated in that time, Orton will become a free agent in early 2020.

    H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

  • Booker T Wants Big E To Wrestle Brock Lesnar

    Booker T Wants Big E To Wrestle Brock Lesnar

    New Day member Kofi Kingston recently lost his WWE Championship to a returning Brock Lesnar. He lost a short match during SmackDown’s premiere on FOX. Taking to his podcast, The Hall of Fame, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T argued that he would like to see Big E to step up and feud with ‘The Beast Incarnate.’

    “I can see him competing with Brock Lesnar on a one-on-one scale. Just because, the guy is low center of gravity, but, he’s just as wide, and probably weighs more than Brock Lesnar. And a guy like that, literally, from a fighting standpoint, it would really be hard for a guy like Brock Lesnar, fighting a guy like that, just because, the strength. Who are you going to give it to?”

    He continued, “In a strength matchup, I’m going to give the strength matchup to Big E 100 percent of the time. Seriously, every time. Just say, for instance, being that size, and the quickness that Big E has, from a realistic wrestling match, he could get under Brock Lesnar a whole lot quicker than Brock Lesnar can get under him. I look at it from that perspective right there.”

    Booker argued that Big E isn’t featured as much as he should be, adding that not only does he deserve more air time, but that “the guy definitely can become a star” if given the right opportunity at the right time. 

    H/T to Wrestlezone for the transcription.

  • Booker T Says Christian Is The Most Underrated Wrestler To Ever Work In WWE

    Booker T Says Christian Is The Most Underrated Wrestler To Ever Work In WWE

    Booker T was recently asked who he felt the funniest person backstage in WWE was. After taking some time to think about it, Booker wasn’t sure but noted the funniest wrestler in the ring was Christian. Booker would continue to call Christian WWE’s most underrated Superstar.

    “It’s hard to say who was the funniest backstage but in the ring it was Christian,” Booker said. “Christian was always the guy who had me laughing all the time. We’d be wrestling, we’d be in the ring, we’d be on the road, it would always be house shows, it would never be TV, it would always be house shows, it was his time to go out there and have fun and play around and just act stupid. He would be doing stuff in the match to make me laugh.”

    “I had so much fun, so much fun working with Christian,” Booker continued.

    Booker would then continue to talk about Christian’s in-ring work.

    “He was one of the best guys that ever put on a pair of boots,” Booker said about Christian. “I always say Christian is the most underrated professional wrestler that ever worked in WWE because the guy was just that good.”

    The full interview with Booker can be viewed in the player below:

  • Backstage Updates On Recent Changes To WWE Commentary Teams

    Backstage Updates On Recent Changes To WWE Commentary Teams

    WWE confirmed the long-rumored changes to the broadcast teams of both Raw and SmackDown yesterday, alongside the official announcement of its F1S studio show dubbed WWE Backstage.

    Though the reports which have come out since then have provided some interesting updates on these announcements and they reveals that some of these arrangements might not be permanent.

    As part of their announcement, WWE confirmed that Jerry Lawler will be returning to Raw for commentary, however, Pro Wrestling Sheet is reporting that the company only intends to use him for a short period of time.

    Officials are considering other people to fulfil the position on a full-time basis. Speculation is that this is why Mickie James was featured on Main Event as one of the commentators this week, though this news is not confirmed.

    The arrangement for the F1S studio show which is announced to be hosted by Booker T and Renee Young seems to be temporary as well.

    According to report from PWinsider, a number of WWE Legends have been brought to Los Angeles to audition for a role on the show and the idea is to switch between these personalities on different weeks.

    We can also see multi-person booths as Fox has played with different versions of the show ranging from panels of 3 to 5 people but nothing is locked yet.

    Though one name who will be a staple for the show is Cathy Kelley. She is expected to be a big part of the program and Kelley will be splitting her time between NXT and the new series going forward.

    As far as the production goes, the show will be pre-taped once a week and its set is made to look like it’s inside a wrestling ring with yellow ropes.

    These changes are only the beginning of things and with the scheduled drafts, we can expect the rosters of both SmackDown and Raw to be shuffled in similar fashion as well.

  • Booker T Addresses Kenny Omega’s Recent Comments Comparing NXT And AEW Talent

    Booker T Addresses Kenny Omega’s Recent Comments Comparing NXT And AEW Talent

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T recently addressed Kenny Omega’s recent comments stating that All Elite Wrestling has real stars versus NXT being filled with developmental talent. He addressed Omega’s statements on an episode of his Hall of Fame podcast. 

    Booker T explained that Omega has “[…] got two hats he’s wearing in the company, and he made some disparaging comments about the talent in NXT, but I was reading earlier that he was talking in character and that a lot of those guys are his friends. My thing is this, does Kenny Omega have the right to say that? If you’re in character, is it okay to say that? When shouldn’t you be in character? When you’re talking to a reporter or someone in the media, should you be in character or not?”

    As far as Booker T is concerned, staying in character is important when “working the masses” because, as a performer, every wrestler wants to make it as real as possible: 

    “When ‘working’ the masses, you always want to try and stay in character and make it as real as you possibly can to try and create something. I think Kenny Omega, when saying something like that and being in character and trying to create something, then all of the sites pick it up. [Omega is like,] ‘Hey, I did my job.’ He didn’t disrespect anybody. When he sees those guys, he goes, ‘Man, I was just playing. I’m working. That’s all I’m doing. It’s a work.’”

    All Elite Wrestling premieres their debut episode of AEW: Dynamite next week on October 2nd.

    H/T to Fightful for the transcription. 

  • Booker T Comments On Upcoming WWE Championship Match

    Booker T Comments On Upcoming WWE Championship Match

    Brock Lesnar surprised everyone when he showed up at this week’s episode of SmackDown Live. He challenged the WWE Champion Kofi Kingston for a match and the internet has been buzzing about this bout ever since.

    During the recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, WWE Legend Booker T talked about a number of things and also shared his thoughts on the upcoming championship bout between these two stars.

    Booker first said that he thinks it’s possible for Kofi to beat the Beast and he went on to claim that going out there and beating Brock Lesnar would be the ultimate achievement for the WWE Champion:

    “To be able to go out against Brock Lesnar on the first episode of SmackDown on FOX and beat him with the Trouble in Paradise, cover him, 1,2,3 good God! Kofi has had a hell of a run, no man can ask for any more than what Kofi Kingston has had, but to be able to go out there and pull it off that would be the ultimate.”

    Though T later claimed that he doesn’t know if it’s actually going to happen. He doesn’t like to try and determine how a match is going to turn out and there are a lot of things that could affect the outcome of the bout.

    Booker T also talked about Brock Lesnar’s appeal saying that he is one of those enigma’s which you can either love or hate, but both are good for the business.

    Brock Lesnar will be facing Kofi Kingston in a one on one match for the WWE Championship at the upcoming SmackDown 20th anniversary show on October 4rth.

    Transcription via WrestlingInc

  • Booker T Says He Wants To Manage The Street Profits

    Booker T Says He Wants To Manage The Street Profits

    King Booker was involved in a backstage segment with the Street Profits recently. The WWE Hall of Famer mentioned on his ESPN 97.5 radio show in Houston that he wants to manage the popular tag-team.

    “I’m thinking about putting my name in to manage the Street Profits, bring these guys to the next level,” Booker said.

    When asked how he would take the Street Profits to the next level, Booker had the following to say:

    “Just put a little bit more street on em, that’s all” Booker said. “It’d be no playing, no jiving, just business.”

    Booker would then talk about how sometimes a wrestler has to be seen as more than just an entertainer.

    “When the people look at you differently, other than just an entertainer, that’s when it becomes something totally different to you when you go out and perform,” Booker continued. “You actually feel it in the soul, deep down in one’s bones. That’s what I loved about the business and that’s what I think I can bring to the Street Profits.”

    Booker’s full comments can be viewed in the player below:

    Booker would continue to say if he can’t manage Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford, he’d love to just mentor them. He would also continue to talk about the influence Gary Hart had on his career during the video.

    “Maybe not manage but just mentor,” Booker continued. “I remember Gary Hart used to say, I’m not a manager, I’m just an advisor.”

  • AEW’s Sammy Guevara Reflects On Getting Into Wrestling, Advice Received From Booker T

    AEW’s Sammy Guevara Reflects On Getting Into Wrestling, Advice Received From Booker T

    All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) Sammy Guevara has been trying to make a name for himself within the promotion. In a recent interview with CatchClub, Guevara reflected on when he first found a passion for pro wrestling and the advice he received from WWE Hall of Famer Booker T ahead of his first-ever match.

    He first started watching pro wrestling between 2005 and 2006 after a neighbour told him to turn on SmackDown. Guevara recalled initially pushing back on the idea, “I was like, ‘No man, it’s not really my thing, I’m not going to watch it.’ But he told me ‘Trust me, it’s really awesome, watch it!’ So I turned it on and saw MNM vs Rey Mysterio and Batista, in a steel cage match. Ever since then I was like, ‘This is amazing, I’m going to do this when I’m older!’”

    He listed Jeff Hardy, Chris Benoit, and Rey Mysterio as some of his favorite wrestlers, adding that he’s been lucky enough to wrestle against Mysterio.

    “[…] to be able to wrestle him 10 years after I started watching wrestling was amazing. It just goes to show you that life can take you to very strange and very cool places. You just got to keep going and keep working hard, and you never know what’s going to happen.”

    Booker T’s Advice

    When he had his very first match, he was fortunate enough to be given some solid advice from Booker T:

    “Before I had my first match ever, Booker T told me, ‘Look, the worst thing that is going to happen out there is you’re going to mess up. And if that’s the worst thing that is going to happen to you, life is going to be OK. The world keeps going, you know.’ And so I always remember that from time to time when I get nervous.”

    At the time of writing, Sammy Guevara has picked up a tag team victory in AEW alongside MJF and Shawn Spears. He lost to Kip Sabian during AEW’s Buy In show ahead of their Double or Nothing pay-per-view.

    H/T to Wrestlezone for the transcription.

  • Booker T Fires Back At Matt Riddle’s Latest Comments

    Booker T Fires Back At Matt Riddle’s Latest Comments

    The Matt Riddle vs “WCW Guys” rivalry has contined online in recent days. Booker T recently released his response to Riddle’s latest comments on his Reality of Wrestling program.

    Booker was played the latest Instagram post from Riddle which can be viewed below:

    https://www.instagram.com/tv/B0yN9f_nPOg/?utm_source=ig_embed

    Booker then responded on Reality of Wrestling:

    Booker T Responds To Matt Riddle

    “I don’t know how should I take it,” Booker said when asked about Riddle’s comments. “I know if I was a young guy in the business and someone like Chris Jericho gave me a little bit of advice – be that as it may where the guy is working right now – but if Chris Jericho was to give me some words of advice, he might be one of the guys to listen to just because of the career that he’s had.”

    “When the Rock said ‘Know your role and shut your mouth’ you know that’s true: know your role and shut your mouth,” Booker continued. “When guys back in the day didn’t know their role they didn’t last very long in the business.”

    Booker also talked about Riddle mentioning he could beat up Chris Jericho in his Instagram post.

    “In the Octagon calling guys out to a fight may be wise but out in real-life calling a man out to a fight it’s just not wise because fighting these days is not something men do outside the octagon. People get hurt really bad.”

  • Booker T Believes Potential SummerSlam Match Could Be Historic

    Booker T Believes Potential SummerSlam Match Could Be Historic

    WWE Hall of Famer Booker T is excited to see one potential match at the upcoming WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view event. 

    Last week it was reported that fellow WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus was in talks with WWE to make a return to in-ring action. It was later revealed that she would take on former RAW and SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair at this show. 

    Although the showdown as only been reported and WWE not confirming it just yet, former WWE stars are beginning to comment on the possible SummerSlam match, which now includes Booker T. 

    Trish Stratus To Be Interviewed By Jerry Lawler On Smackdown

    The pro wrestling legend took to his podcast, the Reality of Wrestling to give his thoughts on this match.

    This is where Booker noted that Stratus is one of his favorites of all-time because she had everything. He brought up how she checked off every box and did it her way. He noted that he’s really looking forward to it. 

    Booker T added, “It could be history in the making, especially if Charlotte can go out there and beat the Queen in Toronto.”

    It should be noted that WWE didn’t have Stratus appear on the RAW Reunion special with the other legends. Former female WWE stars such as Eve Torres, Kelly Kelly, Torrie Wilson, and Jillian Hall did appear on the program. 

    H/T to Wrestling Inc for the transcription

  • Booker T Addresses Mark Henry’s List Of Top Ten African-American Wrestlers

    Booker T Addresses Mark Henry’s List Of Top Ten African-American Wrestlers

    Wrestling can be a subjective form of entertainment. What some love, others might not enjoy; who some revere, others consider overrated.

    Recently, WWE Hall of Famer, Mark Henry, revealed his personal list of top ten African-American wrestlers.

    It was a list featuring luminary names such as Ernie Ladd, Ron Simmons, and Booker T. His list was topped by The Rock.

    Turns out that Booker T had some issues with Henry’s list. He addressed Henry’s choices on an episode of his Hall of Fame podcast.

    “Mark Henry is like 78 years old,” Booker joked. “Mark Henry is like a wrestling historian. Carlos Colon is not even black, he is a man of color, [Puerto Rican], but I don’t think he is black. Ernie Ladd, Ron Simmons, Bobo Brazil, JYD [Junkyard Dog], those are made men.”

    You Just Made The List

    Booker then went on to provide his own list.

    “I feel like I’m on the list,” Booker admitted. “I have done a lot, I have been around. For me, number one is Bobo Brazil. He put the African-American wrestler on the map, it was like we had arrived. Bobo Brazil was a made man for many years and paved the way for wrestlers such as myself.”

    He continued, “Number two is Ernie Ladd. Number three would be Ron Simmons. I will go with those three. Following those three, The Rock, me, JYD, Mark Henry is on that list. Mr. Hughes, Bad New Brown, that list could go on,” he admitted. “But those top three, Bobo, Ladd, Simmons. You have so many Black, African-American wrestlers that have paved the way.”

    Booker T placed seventh on Mark Henry’s list—a position Booker felt was too low.

    “Nah, I’m top 5 anywhere in the world,” Booker said. “As far as the business goes, I try not to toot my own horn, but I was good.”

    H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

  • Booker T On How The Current Wrestling Product Can Improve

    Booker T On How The Current Wrestling Product Can Improve

    With the rise of AEW and the continuous decline in ratings, WWE has been forced to make efforts to improve their product and the company has recently made some big moves to try and change the state of their programming.

    During the recent episode of his Hall Of Fame podcast, Wrestling Legend Booker T talked about the current state of wrestling and gave his thoughts on how the current product can improve.

    Booker said that when we went to the PG era, it flipped the script a bit and made it a television show, and to improve, they just got to go back to what wrestling was.

    Explaining his comments, T said that wrestling was characters like ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage and Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig. They were organically made and you can’t create or learn that in school.

    Continuing on the topic the WWE Hall Of Famer mentioned the likes of Bret Hart, Sting and Ric Flair and talked about how these legends built their careers going around the world and getting worldly talent.

    Later in the episode, Booker also discussed the importance of promo work and how the use of scripted promos has limited people’s abilities. You can check out the full episode of his podcast at this link.

  • Booker T On If AEW Is Going To Be Competition For WWE

    Booker T On If AEW Is Going To Be Competition For WWE

    Ever since the official announcement of the company, the internet has been buzzing about AEW and people have been discussing whether or not it’s going to be a competition for WWE.

    During the recent episode of his Hall Of Fame podcast, former World Champion and Wrestling Legend Booker T talked about a number of things and he also revealed his thoughts on the matter.

    Booker said that it’s definitely going to be a competition and it is definitely going to make one thing totally different when it comes to the way you put a show on.

    Explaining his comments, Booker talked about how WWE has hired writers from different genres and backgrounds and claimed that there are no greater minds to put together storylines than the wrestlers who actually did it.

    Continuing on the topic, The WWE Hall Of Famer gave the example of Paul Heyman saying that you can’t go outside and find someone from the soap opera life like Heyman, doesn’t matter if they have been great at writing General Hospital for the last 30 years.

    Apart from this, Booker T also recalled an incident where a producer was trying to tell him how to talk, reports of WWE getting rid of the PG ratings and more. You can check out his full interview at this link.

  • Booker T On Why Matt Riddle Should Not Criticise Goldberg

    Booker T On Why Matt Riddle Should Not Criticise Goldberg

    Former World Heavyweight Champion and WWE Hall Of Famer Booker T have developed a beef with NXT talent Matt Riddle in recent weeks after Booker questioned Riddle for his remarks over some wrestling legends. He said that Matt himself needs a lot of work and Riddle also responded to the former WCW Champion.

    Booker T then recently spoke to Kevin Kellam of WrestleZone.com and expanded further on his issues with NXT Superstar Matt Riddle criticizing Goldberg for his match against The Undertaker at Super ShowDown. He stated that Riddle needs a better understanding of the business and a change in approach.

    “[Goldberg] wasn’t a guy that grew up watching it on a weekly basis, but he came into it with an opportunity and he took it. He turned out to be an awesome, awesome draw and the fans love Goldberg. Goldberg drew so much money in this business—I can only imagine how much money [it actually was] for the business—as well as the fans that loved Goldberg coming up, that’s worth a whole lot,” said the Hall of Famer.

    Continuing on the topic, he stated that Wrestling is a brotherhood and Booker further defended Goldberg saying that he had never been to a wrestling school like himself. The 5-time WCW Champion stated that Matt Riddle needs to understand the foundation of the wrestling business and understand the ‘business’ aspect of it, as opposed to the ‘wrestling’ side.

    Apart from this, Booker T also talked about Superstars such as Honky Tonk Man and The Rock. He discussed the significance of the ‘Drawing Power’ of these Superstars and why they are important. Check out the full interview here.