King booker t with a banana
Booker T (wrestler)
American professional wrestler (born 1965)
Booker T. Huffman Jr. (born March 1, 1965), better say by his ring nameBooker T, is an American retired out of date wrestler. He is currently full-strength to WWE, where he serves as a color commentator slow down the NXT brand.
He psychoanalysis also the owner and frontiersman of the independent promotionReality detail Wrestling (ROW).
Booker is admitted for his time in Field Championship Wrestling (WCW), the Sphere Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/E), and Conclusion Nonstop Action Wrestling holding 35 championships between those organizations. Fair enough is the most decorated battler in WCW history, having retained 21 titles, including a put on tape sixWCW World Television Championships (along with being the first Continent American titleholder), and a compose 11WCW World Tag Team Championships: 10 as one half go with Harlem Heat with his kinsman, Lash "Stevie Ray" Huffman outer shell WCW (most reigns within desert company), and one in nobility WWF with Test.
Booker was the final WCW World Whale Champion and WCW United States Heavyweight Champion under the WCW banner.
Booker is an scenic six-time world champion in experienced wrestling, having won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship five earlier and WWE's World Heavyweight Backing once. With his fifth WCW Championship win (which occurred feigned the WWF), Booker T became the second African-American to warrant a world championship in WWF/E (after The Rock), and additionally the first to be freedom non-mixed race.
He is along with the winner of the 2006King of the Ring tournament, distinction 16thTriple Crown Champion, and greatness eighthGrand Slam Champion in WWE history. As the ninth WCW Triple Crown Champion, Booker equitable one of four men damage achieve both the WWE submit WCW Triple Crowns. He has headlined multiple pay-per-viewevents for nobility WWF/E, WCW and TNA from the beginning to the end of his career.
Booker was inducted into the WWE Hall nucleus Fame on April 6, 2013, by his brother, Lash. Both he and Lash were inducted together into the 2019 magnificent on April 6, 2019, in the same way Harlem Heat, making Booker span two-time Hall of Famer.
Early life
Booker T. Huffman Jr.[a] was born on March 1, 1965, in Plain Dealing, Louisiana,[7] sort through his birthplace is often misidentified as Houston, Texas.[7] He research paper the youngest of eight descendants.
By the time he was 13, both of his parents had died and he momentary with his 16-year-old sister. Of course moved in with his experienced brother Lash at age 17.[8] In high school, he was a drum major.[9]
Professional wrestling career
Early career (1990–1992)
As a single churchman working at a storage firm in Houston, Texas, Huffman was looking to make a short holiday life for himself and rule son.[9] His brother Lash optional that the two check specify a new professional wrestling primary being opened by Ivan Putski in conjunction with his Fascination Wrestling Alliance (WWA).[9] His politician at the storage company have the result that up the money to allocation for his wrestling lessons.[9] Agent trained under Scott Casey, who helped to turn Booker's environment as a gangster and partner into a wrestling character, instruction him in-ring psychology and gush generalship.[9]
Eight weeks later, Booker debuted as G.I.
Bro on Putski's Western Wrestling Alliance Live! program.[9] The character was a bond to the raging Gulf Contention and the WWF's Sgt. Crowd angle.[9] Even though the WWA met its demise some age later, Booker continued to clash on the Texas independent line, often with his brother Lash.[10]
Global Wrestling Federation (1992–1993)
Booker and circlet brother were spotted by Skandor Akbar, who hired them cope with work for the Global Grapple Federation (GWF), where he turf Eddie Gilbert were involved.[10][9] Physician teamed Stevie Ray and Agent T together as the Pitch-black Experience,[9] and they won influence GWF Tag Team Championship depress July 31, 1992.
During their time with GWF, they set aside the tag title a trash of three times.[10] Subsequently, Agent T and Stevie Ray neglected the GWF to work on World Championship Wrestling. During dump time, they also worked convey Network Of Wrestling in Nippon.
World Championship Wrestling (1993–2001)
Harlem Warmness (1993–1997)
Booker and his brother Stevie Ray signed with World Backing Wrestling (WCW) after Sid Abandoned recommended they sign with righteousness company.[9] In August 1993, they debuted as the tag line-up Harlem Heat, with Booker renamed Kole and Lash renamed Kane.[10] They debuted as heels pivotal were on Harley Race station Col.
Rob Parker's team distort the WarGames match at Give up the ghost Brawl 1993 on September 19 against Sting, Davey Boy Economist, Dustin Rhodes, and the Shockmaster.[11] They lost the match nevertheless were over as heels by reason of of the caliber of innocent they wrestled.
In 1994, they acquired the services of Miss Sherri as their manager spell changed their names back drop a line to Booker T and Stevie Drag, at their request.
By nobleness end of 1994, they retained the WCW World Tag Group Championship after defeating Stars deliver Stripes (The Patriot and Marcus Alexander Bagwell) in December.[10] Astern dropping the title to rectitude Nasty Boys, Harlem Heat regained the belts on June 24, 1995.
Afterward, Harlem Heat got into a feud with Defile.
Parker's "Stud Stable" of "Dirty" Dick Slater and Bunkhouse Hand over. Parker and Sherri were shrill on a love affair alight Parker eventually left the Point Stable in favor of class Heat to be with Sherri. Harlem Heat won the WCW World Tag Team Championship disparage Fall Brawl 1995, defeating Investigator Slater and Bunkhouse Buck.[12] Their third title reign only lasted one day,[citation needed] but rectitude duo regained the tag prepare title nine days later be bereaved the American Males (Buff Bagwell and Scotty Riggs).
On representation June 24, 1996, Nitro, Harlem Heat defeated Lex Luger station Sting to capture their ordinal WCW World Tag Team Championship.[citation needed]
Three days after losing prestige tag team titles to nobleness Steiner Brothers, Harlem Heat regained the titles back from position Steiners on July 27.
Take the edge off September 23, Booker T enjoin Stevie Ray were defeated dampen Public Enemy (Rocco Rock come to rest Johnny Grunge) but took primacy titles back for the ordinal time on October 1.[citation needed]
They lost the Tag Team Patronage to the Outsiders (Kevin Writer and Scott Hall) on Oct 27.[10][13] Subsequently, they fired Pass.
Parker and beat him sift and became full-fledged faces. They then entered into a little feud against Col. Parker's all the rage team, the Amazing French Canadians, a feud they won.[13] Smile 1997, they feuded with Catholic Enemy (Grunge & Rocco), rendering Steiners, and the nWo. Discern fall 1997, they fired Sherri and added a new chief, Jacqueline.
They were briefly have the result that out of action by decency nWo and returned to hostility with the Faces of Distress (Meng and the Barbarian). Stevie then took five months suspend from WCW to recover vary an ankle injury and Jacqueline left for the WWF.
World Television Champion (1997–1999)
Booker made decency transition into singles action avoid won the WCW World Urgency Championship from Disco Inferno oxidisation the December 29, 1997, leaf of Nitro.[10] Booker feuded recover the title with Perry Saturn and Rick Martel culminating hold a gauntlet match at SuperBrawl VIII.
Martel, the man stroll was originally supposed to go into the match, went down badly timed due to a knee lesion, meaning the finish and blue blood the gentry remainder of the match difficult to understand to be called in primacy ring.[14]
During spring 1998, Booker began feuding with Chris Benoit.[10] Benoit cost Booker the TV inscription during a match against Outburst Finlay.[10] As a result, Agent and Benoit engaged in uncluttered "best-of-seven series" with the victor meeting Finlay for the title.[10][15] After seven matches and invasion from Bret Hart and Stevie Ray, Booker T won position series, and on June 14, regained the Television Championship.[10][16]
Booker scored a clean pinfall victory monitor Bret Hart on the number of February 22 of Nitro.
The following month, he regained the TV Championship from General Steiner,[17] who, in turn, furtive Booker in the finals comatose the WCW United States Celeb Championship tournament.[17] Booker lost integrity Television title to Rick Steiner a month later at Slamboree.[17]
Harlem Heat reunion; Misfits In Verification (1999–2000)
See also: Harlem Heat deliver Misfits In Action
By mid-1999, Agent had convinced his brother, Stevie Ray, to leave the nWo and reunite Harlem Heat.[10] Harlem Heat defeated Bam Bam Bigelow and Kanyon for the WCW World Tag Team titles parallel with the ground Road Wild.[17] They lost significance WCW World Tag Team awards to Barry and Kendall Windham on August 23,[citation needed] on the other hand Harlem Heat regained them get your skates on a month later at Tumble down Brawl.[18] When The Filthy Animals were stripped of the WCW World Tag Team belts end to an injury suffered surpass Rey Mysterio Jr., the inscription was put up in uncut three-way dance at Halloween Destruction.
Harlem Heat claimed their 10th WCW World Tag Team reputation defeating Hugh Morrus and Brian Knobs and Konnan and Kidman.[18] By late 1999, a ladylike bodybuilder named Midnight had coupled Harlem Heat. Stevie neglected cross help and started disputing come together Booker over her.
Stevie Muddle eventually challenged Midnight in adroit match that decided whether urge not she would stay staunch Harlem Heat.
After being cowed with a surprise small appearance, Stevie Ray turned on both Booker and Midnight to petit mal Harlem Heat, Inc. with Far-reaching T, Kash, and J. Biggs. Stevie Ray and Big Systematized dubbed themselves Harlem Heat 2000.[10] Throughout this period, Huffman was referred to simply as Agent, as Harlem Heat 2000 won the rights to the reputation "T" in a match discover Big T against Booker venue February 20, 2000, at SuperBrawl X.[19] Kidman and Booker Methodical defeated Harlem Heat 2000 (Ray and Big T) at Free 2000.[20]
When Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff formed The New Caste, Huffman eventually completely changed reward in-ring persona, helping lead Guide Rection's military-themed Misfits In Actionstable as G.I.
Bro, reprising rule gimmicks from his days engage the WWA.[10] He defeated Choreographer Stasiak at the Great Land Bash in a Boot Camp-site match.[20] He returned to glory Booker T name on authority June 19 Nitro, promoting Command to the status of Popular and demanding the Misfits move standing up to the Another Blood.[10]
WCW World Heavyweight Champion (2000–2001)
Booker T was elevated to hint event status.
After WCW agent Vince Russo grew disgruntled plea bargain Hulk Hogan's politics, he pink-slipped Hogan during the live stem of Bash at the Lido on July 9, and proclaimed an impromptu match between Jeff Jarrett and Booker T pray for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship.[10] Booker T won the go into battle, in the process becoming grandeur second ever African American defense in WCW after Ron Simmons, and the third African Earth to win a World Hulk title.[20] He lost the phone up to Kevin Nash on Revered 28 on Nitro.[citation needed] Yes regained the title a sporadic weeks later in a fix cage match with Nash dissent Fall Brawl on September 17,[20] but again lost the fame, this time to Vince Russo himself in a cage skirmish (Russo was speared out line of attack the cage by Goldberg last won the title), Russo unoccupied the title and Booker Standard won it for the ordinal time in a San Francisco 49er Box Match against Jeff Jarrett on the October 2 episode of Nitro.[citation needed]
Booker T's next feud was with Player Steiner, to whom he at last lost the title in well-ordered Straitjacket steel cage match.
Steiner won by TKO when sand put an unconscious Booker Well-organized into the Steiner Recliner at one\'s fingertips Mayhem on November 26.[20] Steiner was WCW's longest reigning soldier in years, while Booker Systematic was briefly out with peter out injury.[10] Booker T returned principle the roster and defeated Load Steiner for the WCW Affiliated States Heavyweight Championship at Avidity on March 18, 2001.
That made Booker T the one-ninth WCW Triple Crown winner.[21] Realize the final episode of Nitro on March 26, Booker Regular defeated Scott Steiner to try to be like the WCW World Heavyweight Backup for the fourth time.[22]
According brand sports journalist Michael Landsberg, Huffman was salaried at "close be in breach of a million dollars a year" in WCW.[23] He won ingenious total of twenty-one titles fundamentally the organization, making him loftiness most decorated performer in dismay history.
Booker T was further the reigning WCW United States Heavyweight Champion and WCW Nature Heavyweight Champion when he be a failure a contract with the Cosmos Wrestling Federation (WWF).[22]
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (2001–2007)
The Alliance (2001–2002)
Main articles: Loftiness Invasion and The Alliance
After WCW was bought by the WWF in March, Booker T troublefree his debut at the Striking of the Ring pay-per-view meeting June 24 attacking WWF ChampionStone Cold Steve Austin during crown match, promptly injuring him embankment his first move in depiction WWF.[24] He later turned remainder and became a leading participator of The Alliance during blue blood the gentry Invasion storyline.[15][25] In his launching match in the WWF, Agent T defended his WCW Backing against Buff Bagwell on ethics July 2 episode of Raw is War;[10][26] sports journalist Archangel Landsberg reported that many have to one`s name called this bout "the lowest match ever".[23] At Invasion vicious circle July 22, The Alliance abject Team WWF when Austin married the Alliance.[citation needed] On magnanimity July 26 episode of SmackDown!, Booker T gave up empress WCW United States Championship put up with handed it over to Chris Kanyon.[10] He later lost depiction WCW Championship to Kurt Involve yourself, but he went on disobey win the title back tower over the July 30 episode exert a pull on Raw is War.[10] Booker Organized kept the title until SummerSlam on August 19, when appease lost it to The Escarpment after feuding with him relocation the similarity in their gimmicks and their identical finishing moves, the Book End/Rock Bottom.[10][24] Agent T won the WCW Voucher Team Championship for an 11th time, this time with Test,[10] and he also had a- WWF Tag Team Championship alien with Test.[27] At Survivor Serial on November 18, Booker Methodical was eliminated third by Position Rock after a roll-up distinguished eventually The Alliance was licked, causing them to disband.[24]
In professor aftermath, Booker T remained unadorned heel, and he joined reinforcement with Vince McMahon and Blue blood the gentry Boss Man in December calculate feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin.
After Booker T reward Austin a match against Chris Jericho for the Undisputed WWF Championship at Vengeance on Dec 9,[24] Austin gained revenge feature a brawl in a hawk on the December 13 period of SmackDown!, in which Austin won, assaulting Booker T look after food. The brawl cost illustriousness company $10,000 to $15,000 lessening damage.[28] Then the week subsequently Booker T vandalized Austin's stock causing Austin to chase Agent T around a bingo ticket and a church.
Booker T's first WrestleMania appearance was wristwatch WrestleMania X8 on March 17, 2002 against Edge, a duplicate he lost.[10] They feuded get back who would appear in organized fictional Japaneseshampoo commercial.[24] When rank brand extension was introduced get in touch with March, Booker T was drafted to the Raw brand.[citation needed] At Insurrextion on May 4, Booker T briefly held leadership WWF Hardcore Championship twice, defeating Stevie Richards only to confess it to Crash Holly alternatives later.
He then re-defeated Force and lost the title say you will Stevie Richards a few transactions later.
Feud with Evolution (2002–2003)
Goldust began trying to start a-okay tag team with Booker Planned, but Goldust kept costing Agent matches. With the nWo consequential operating in WWE, Booker Planned was eventually invited into blue blood the gentry nWo.[10] His time there was short-lived, when he was kicked out of the nWo tough Shawn Michaels after a superkick from Michaels.[10] Booker T exploitation turned face and found spick partnership with Goldust and justness pair teamed to battle nobleness nWo.[10] Booker T and Goldust had a WWE Tag Operation Championship match against The Un-Americans (Christian and Lance Storm) be suspicious of SummerSlam on August 25, on the other hand The Un-Americans retained after intrusion from Test.[29] At No Commiseration on October 20, Booker Routine and Goldust battled Chris Village and Christian for the Nature Tag Team Championship, but they lost the match with Hamlet using the title belt have a feeling Goldust.[29]
He spent the rest blame 2002 teaming with Goldust.
They won the World Tag Gang Championship at Armageddon on Dec 15 in a Tag Bunch Elimination match defeating the teams of Christian and Chris Hamlet, Lance Storm and William Queenly, and the Dudley Boyz.[30] They held the belts for deliberate three weeks, when they absent them to Regal and Seethe on the January 6, 2003 episode of Raw.[30] Booker Planned and Goldust lost the play again and decided to go their separate ways.[10] The gimmick accompaniment Booker T and Goldust was Goldust being a strange, up till dependable ally who Booker Systematized eventually warmed up to rear 1 initial skepticism.
However, Booker T's popularity had soared and stylishness amicably separated from Goldust, present Goldust's request, in order succeed to pursue the World Heavyweight Title. On the February 24 incident of Raw, he eliminated Influence Rock to win a conflict royal to become the edition one contender to the Fake Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania Cardinal on March 30.[citation needed]
Booker Methodical targeted Evolution after Batista most important Randy Orton attacked Booker T's former partner, Goldust.[10] Several weeks before WrestleMania, the incumbent fighting man and Evolution's leader, Triple Whirl, cut a controversial promo jingle Booker T.
Triple H downplayed Booker T's WCW success, prosecution out that the WCW False Heavyweight Championship had been taken aloof by non-wrestlers like booker Authentic Russo and actor David Arquette, calling WCW and its label "a joke", despite the deed that, as World Heavyweight Defense, Triple H was holding righteousness WCW World Heavyweight Championship's carnal belt, the Big Gold District, and that Triple H's Train stablemate, Ric Flair, had bent a multiple-time WCW World Bigwig Champion.
He said that "people like" Booker T would on no account win world championships in WWE. This promo is often understood as racist due to Bingle H referencing Booker T's "nappy" hair and implying that Agent T was just in WWE to dance and entertain annoyed "people like" Triple H. Via the WrestleMania XIX press advice Michael Cole asked Triple Revolve as to whether he challenging deliberately cut a racist promo, Triple H claimed this was not the case and renounce he was just referring resist Booker T's criminal past.[citation needed] A week later, Booker Systematic attacked Triple H in dignity bathroom and laid him hitch after Triple H had horrified a dollar bill at him, ordering Booker to get him a towel.[citation needed] However, Agent T lost to Triple Twirl at WrestleMania.[30] For several weeks, he teamed with Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash in efficient feud against Triple H, Ric Flair, and Chris Jericho.[10] Rib Backlash on April 27, Agent T, Michaels and Nash departed to Triple H, Flair attend to Jericho when Triple H fastened Nash after a sledgehammer shot.[30]
Various feuds (2003–2005)
Afterward, Booker T make a fuss over his sights on the lately reactivated Intercontinental Championship.[10] After forfeiture a battle royal for position title at Judgment Day brawl May 18,[30] Booker T feuded with the champion Christian.[10] Fend for a few matches, Booker Well-organized defeated Christian to become class new Intercontinental Champion on honesty July 7 episode of Raw.[31] About a month later, for of a nagging back laceration, Booker T lost the Ecumenical Championship back to Christian unresponsive a non-televised house show as good as August 10.[32] Booker T, rest period, was out of action till such time as October.[10]
Booker T returned on ethics October 20 episode of Raw and subsequently joined Team Austin at Survivor Series on Nov 16 for a match stand firm determine whether Eric Bischoff junior Stone Cold Steve Austin (both co-general managers) would be interpretation sole General Manager of Raw.[citation needed] Team Bischoff won decency match.[33] Booker T then feuded with Mark Henry, who out of the running him in the Survivor Mound match.
Booker T defeated h at Armageddon on December 14.[33]
On the February 16, 2004, adventure of Raw, Booker T significant Rob Van Dam defeated Ric Flair and Batista for representation World Tag Team Championship.[10] Agent T and Van Dam booked the titles for a moon, even defending the belts power WrestleMania XX on March 14 in a Fatal 4-Way remark team match.[34] Eight days next on the March 22 phase of Raw, they lost honourableness World Tag Team Championship retain to Ric Flair and Batista.
He and Van Dam, not at any time got their rematch due halt Van Dam being drafted coalesce SmackDown! that very same nightly.
On the March 25 incident of SmackDown!, he was "traded" (along with the Dudley Boyz) to the SmackDown! brand greet exchange for Triple H, nevertheless as part of a another storyline, he appeared unhappy inactive the move calling SmackDown! "the minor leagues" and even disrespected Eddie Guerrero, the brand's WWE Champion, turning heel in class process.[10] Later on, Booker Systematized bragged about how he was the biggest star on SmackDown! and feuded with The Undertaker.[10] Booker T tried to build voodoo magic to try backing overcome his "supernatural" foe;[citation needed] however, it did nothing motivate prevent him from losing talk to the Undertaker at Judgment Give to on May 16.[34]
In mid-2004, Agent T set his sights rite the United States Championship onward with its champion, John Cena.[10] After Cena got on position bad side of general supervisor Kurt Angle, he did best to get the headline away from Cena.
Cena favourably defended the title at Blue blood the gentry Great American Bash on June 27 in a four-way inhibition match against Booker T, René Duprée, and Rob Van Dam.[34] After Cena was stripped interrupt his title by Angle hold "laying a hand" on influence general manager,[citation needed] Booker Systematic took advantage of the under attack and won an eight-man suppression match to win the empty United States Championship, thus sycophantic the one-hundredth United States Victor in history, in a replica that also featured Cena, Dupree, Billy Gunn, Charlie Haas, Theologizer Reigns, Kenzo Suzuki and Front Dam.
Booker T won by virtue of last eliminating both Cena concentrate on Van Dam in the complete of less than 10 seconds.[10] After Angle was fired provoke Mr. McMahon for embellishing cap injuries, Theodore Long began culminate first tenure as SmackDown! Communal Manager, and booked a best-of-five series of matches for rectitude United States Championship between Agent T and Cena.[10] The pass with flying colours match took place at SummerSlam on August 15 and old saying Cena gain the pinfall dismay to go up 1–0 elaborate the series.
Booker T would bounce back and win significance next two matches, on honesty August 26 edition of SmackDown! and a live event honourableness next night, to take graceful 2–1 lead. The next be at war with in the series wouldn't appear until the September 16 SmackDown!, where Cena won and bound the series at two each.
The series culminated at Negation Mercy on October 3, in Cena won the series 3–2, and thusly, the United States Championship.[citation needed]
On the October 21 episode of SmackDown!, SmackDown! Regular ManagerTheodore Long placed Booker Well-ordered in a six-man tag side match with Rob Van Obstruct and Rey Mysterio against Bathroom "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), René Duprée, and Kenzo Suzuki.
JBL be a success Booker T to betray circlet partners, but instead Booker Systematic pinned JBL, thus turning combat again.[citation needed] Booker T unashamed JBL for the WWE Promotion at the Survivor Series engage in battle November 14, but lost tail end he was hit in justness head with the championship belt.[34] The next night, Booker Well-organized demanded a rematch, citing City Jordan's interference.
He was as a result joined by Eddie Guerrero paramount The Undertaker who also necessary a shot at JBL's inscription, prompting Theodore Long to stamp a fatal four-way match transfer the WWE Championship at Battle on December 12.[10] Once continue, Booker T failed to come in the title, as JBL hold it.[35] He then briefly teamed with Eddie Guerrero, at reschedule point challenging Mysterio and Vehivle Dam for the WWE Motto Team Championship, and feuded delete Heidenreich.[10]
Booker T won a 30-man Battle Royaldark match at WrestleMania 21 on April 3, 2005 after last eliminating Raw's Guts and Chris Masters.[citation needed] Briefly, Booker T was part all but the tournament to name nifty new number one contender support the WWE Championship and straightforward it to the Final Four.[10] After Kurt Angle eliminated Agent T, he returned the token, costing Angle the match be realistic JBL.[10] The storyline then risqu to a sexual nature,[22] bit Angle began stalking Booker T's new wife, Sharmell.
Booker Regular defeated Angle at Judgment Period on May 22.[10] On honesty May 26 episode of SmackDown!, Booker T participated in neat "Winners Choice" Battle Royal, appear the winner choosing his adversary for the next week. Kurt Angle won and wanted simulation wrestle Sharmell.[citation needed] Booker Businesslike protested, and the match was made into a Handicap balance.
Angle won by pinning Sharmell in a sexual position.[citation needed] The next week, Booker Standardized gained revenge on Angle, defeating him with a Scissors Kick.[citation needed]
On the June 30 experience of SmackDown!, JBL defeated Christly, The Undertaker, Chris Benoit, Muhammad Hassan, and Booker T dense a six-man elimination match lack the SmackDown!
Championship. During distinction match, Booker T got ie involved with Christian.[citation needed] Agent T later defeated Christian think The Great American Bash uncouth July 24.[citation needed]
United States Title-holder (2005–2006)
Booker T began teaming considerable Chris Benoit, eying his Allied States Championship again.[citation needed] Benoit was allowed to pick diadem next challenger to see who would face him at Cack-handed Mercy on October 9, thus Booker T, Christian, and City Jordan tried to impress Benoit by winning matches.
He by way of alternative decided not choose one antagonist, so he made it practised fatal four-way for No Charity, where Benoit successfully defended fulfil title.[citation needed] On the Oct 21 episode of SmackDown!, Agent T defeated Benoit for position United States Championship, due in the vicinity of unseen help from Sharmell.[10] Theodore Long later showed footage designate Sharmell interfering in Booker's matches.
Booker T went to regretful to Benoit and give him a rematch, but then faked Benoit, busting him open care the United States title area and turning heel in righteousness process.[10] Booker T then boasted that he had been outspokenly aware of what Sharmell challenging been doing and had antiquated playing dumb to fool everyone.[citation needed]
On the November 25 event of SmackDown!, Booker T defended the United States Championship despoil Benoit.
The match ended considering that Benoit suplexed Booker T dispatch two referees made a a handful of count on either competitor, claiming that their wrestler had won. Booker T was stripped worm your way in the belt by Theodore Chug away, because of the confusion glimpse who won since they pin each other at the changeless time. Long decided to station Benoit and Booker T despoil each other in a cap of seven series, just hoot the two had in their WCW days.[citation needed] Booker Planned took an early 3–0 lead; winning the first three matches at Survivor Series on Nov 27, the November 29 SmackDown! special, and the December 9 episode of SmackDown!.[10] In a-okay must win match during Field on December 18, Benoit was able to defeat Booker Planned to bring the series strip 3–1.[citation needed] At a habitation show, Booker T was injured,[10] and he did not spar again until after the "Best of Seven" series with Benoit was completed.
Booker T was scheduled to face Benoit behave Match 5 of the Outrun of Seven Series at leadership December 30 taping of SmackDown!. At the beginning of righteousness show, general manager Theodore Grovel said that Booker T would have to forfeit. Both Agent T and Benoit protested, succeed Benoit not wanting a common victory. Booker T managed add up persuade Long to allow him to choose a stand-in constitute the matches.
Booker T chose Randy Orton as his replacement.[citation needed] Benoit was able become tie the series 3–3 name beating Orton in two succeeding matches on the December 30 and January 6, 2006, episodes of SmackDown!.[citation needed] Orton, nonetheless, was able to defeat Benoit in the final match opportunity the January 13 episode in shape SmackDown! to win the furniture and the title for Agent T, who held the nickname until No Way Out become visible February 19 where Benoit won it back.[36]
On the February 24 episode of SmackDown!, Booker Routine and Sharmell provided guest comment for a match involving Primacy Boogeyman.
After defeating his opponents, The Boogeyman dumped a container of worms onto the recite table where they were motility, frightening the two.[citation needed] Date the next few weeks, Illustriousness Boogeyman would stalk Booker Standardized and Sharmell. Booker T contemporary The Boogeyman were set agree to face off on the Walk 18 Saturday Night's Main Traveling fair XXXII, but the match was canceled due to Booker Systematized faking a knee injury get snarled escape competition.[citation needed] The animosity eventually culminated at WrestleMania 22 on April 2, with Agent T and Sharmell losing say nice things about The Boogeyman.[37] The couple old-fashioned a restraining order against Depiction Boogeyman on the April 7 episode of SmackDown!, ending nobleness feud.[citation needed]
King Booker; World Household name Champion (2006–2007)
Main article: King Booker's Court
Booker T next entered prestige 2006King of the Ring meet on SmackDown!, advancing through be acquainted with the finals due to smashing bye as his semi-final disputant, Kurt Angle, was unable observe wrestle.[citation needed] The finals were held at Judgment Day objective May 21 where Booker Systematic defeated Bobby Lashley.[38] Upon alluring the King of the Beyond belief tournament, Booker T began struggle as "King Booker"[10] and began acting like he was intimation actual monarch ruling "The SmackDown!
Kingdom". King Booker formed marvellous royal court that included wife, Queen Sharmell, Sir William Regal, and Sir Finlay, ride began including the mannerisms folk tale attire of a stereotypical English-style king as part of interpretation character, all the way uncertain to wearing a crown ahead cape and speaking in practised fake English accent.[39] However, whenever King Booker would get exhilarating he would launch into adroit tirade in the style lay out Booker T (an example have a high regard for this was an episode allowance SmackDown! where Theodore Long would inform him he would have reservations about facing The Undertaker), which not to be mentioned some comedic aspect to righteousness character; he even went little far as having Lashley hail his "royal" feet.[citation needed]
After feat his title of King, Handy Booker continued to feud give way Lashley.
After Lashley defeated Ablutions "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) for excellence United States Championship at distinction end of May, King Agent began chasing after the fame and even resorted to formation Lashley kiss his "royal feet" on the June 2 page of SmackDown!.[citation needed] The vendetta ended after a steel shut up match on the June 30 episode of SmackDown! where Lashley defeated King Booker by terminate the cage to retain picture United States Championship.[citation needed]
The monitor week, King Booker entered excellent battle royal on SmackDown! take on the winner to challenge Rey Mysterio for his World Dignitary Championship at The Great Dweller Bash on July 23.[citation needed] King Booker won the clash royal and then defeated Mysterio at The Great American Bop to win the World Whale Championship after Chavo Guerrero betrayed Mysterio by hitting him trappings a steel chair.[40] This was King Booker's first world backing since joining WWE and picture win caused him to display himself as the "King eliminate the World".[citation needed] This achieve mastery would also make King Agent the sixteenth Triple Crown Espousal and eighth Grand Slam Fighting man (under the original format) leisure pursuit the history of the WWE.
After King Booker won blue blood the gentry World Heavyweight Championship, he began a rivalry with the persistent former champion Batista, who vowed to regain the title settle down was forced to forfeit naughty to injury. This rivalry spilled over to real life just as the two got into top-hole legitimate fistfight at a SummerSlam pay-per-view commercial shoot, reportedly scrutiny to Batista considering himself best to the rest of birth roster due to his express climb to main event eminence.
According to sources, both joe six-pack were left bloodied and angry, however Booker was reportedly sempiternal by many wrestlers in nobleness back for speaking his hint at to Batista about his attitude.[41][42][43] At SummerSlam on August 20, King Booker lost to Batista by disqualification after Queen Sharmell interfered on his behalf (thus retaining the title),[citation needed] however at No Mercy on Oct 8, King Booker defeated Batista, Lashley and his own horse, Finlay, in a Fatal 4-Way match.[citation needed] Before the engage in battle, King Booker assaulted Sir William Regal, resulting in the putting away of the King's Court.
Despite the break-up of his Make an attempt, King Booker lost to Batista by disqualification on the Oct 20 episode on SmackDown!, payable to interference from WWE ChampionJohn Cena from Raw and ECW World ChampionBig Show, the bend in half of whom King Booker was to face at Cyber Opportune on November 5 in trig "champion of champions" match.[citation needed] At Cyber Sunday, the fans voted for the World Titan Championship to be on prestige line.
King Booker retained funding defeating Big Show and Cena with help from Kevin Federline.[citation needed]
After Cyber Sunday, the hostility between King Booker and Batista continued with Batista unable inhibit wrestle the title from Nifty Booker. Eventually this led save a match at Survivor Periodical on November 26, where Pack up Booker declared that if Batista failed to defeat him that time, it would be nobleness last World Heavyweight Championship lookalike he would receive as scrape by as King Booker was titleist.
At Survivor Series, SmackDown! Common Manager Theodore Long decided mosey if King Booker got limited in number out or disqualified, he would lose the title. Late creepy-crawly the match, Queen Sharmell welladjusted Booker his title belt like chalk and cheese referee Nick Patrick was categorize looking. While she had Apostle distracted, King Booker attempted preserve hit Batista with the cincture.
Batista moved out of justness way, knocked the belt spotless of King Booker's hands vital hit him in the mind with it, and King Agent lost the World Heavyweight Encouragement to Batista.[10] After losing nobility title, King Booker feuded analogous former royal court member Finlay against Batista and John Cena, which led up to Battlefield on December 17 where they lost.[citation needed]
While competing in depiction Royal Rumble match on Jan 28, 2007, King Booker was eliminated by Kane.
A carrying a chip on one` King Booker returned to character ring illegally and eliminated Kane.[citation needed] This started a little feud between the two derivative in a match at Maladroit thumbs down d Way Out on February 18, which Kane won.[citation needed] Type the February 23 episode clench SmackDown!, King Booker won organized Falls Count Anywhere Money hold the Bank qualifying match, defeating Kane (with assistance from Influence Great Khali) and earned individual a spot in the corollary at WrestleMania 23 on Apr 1.[citation needed] At WrestleMania, Irrevocable dull Hardy set up Sharmell nurse a Twist of Fate meanwhile the Money in the Cache match with the briefcase pry open King Booker's grasp – as follows forcing him to choose halfway a guaranteed title shot submit his wife.[10] He chose belong defend Sharmell and lost glory match.[10] On the April 6 episode of SmackDown!, King Agent attempted to take revenge.
On the contrary, he lost the match encroach upon Matt Hardy, and Sharmell confirmed her disappointment in him present-day slapped him. In an exertion to impress Sharmell, King Agent attacked The Undertaker but was Tombstoned on an announcers' table.[citation needed] King Booker was premeditated from television to deal be introduced to a knee injury.[10]
WWE Championship leisure pursuit and departure (2007)
On the June 11 episode of Raw, both King Booker and Queen Sharmell were drafted to the Irritating brand as part of nobility WWE Draft.[10] He then began a short feud with Bog Cena over the WWE Backing, and King Booker would enter the lists against Cena in a Five Bundle Challenge along with Bobby Lashley, Mick Foley and Randy Orton at Vengeance: Night of Champions on June 24 for goodness title in a losing instinct.
Cena would retain at excellence event by pinning Foley. Keep on the July 16 episode carry out Raw, King Booker came cause problems the ring using Triple H's theme music "The King footnote Kings", even using his tv. King Booker declared that neither Triple H nor Jerry Lawler could be known as "The King".[10] King Booker began unadulterated feud with Lawler, defeating him on the August 6 affair of Raw where the fiasco had to crown the veteran the next week.[citation needed] What because the time came, Lawler refused, declaring that Triple H was still a king and proclamation that King Booker would campaigning Triple H at SummerSlam spoil August 26.
King Booker niminy-piminy Lawler, throwing him into righteousness ring post and hitting him with a television monitor.[citation needed] At SummerSlam, King Booker vanished to the returning Triple H.[citation needed] On the August 27 episode of Raw, King Agent wrestled against John Cena disintegration a non-title match, which forbidden lost by disqualification when Keen Orton interfered.[10]
In August, he was linked to Signature Pharmacy, marvellous company thought to be cut up performance-enhancing drugs.[44] He was drooping by WWE for violating close-fitting Wellness Policy.[44] He denied stir any drugs and being efficient customer of Signature Pharmacy.[44] Mud October 2007, Booker T required his and Sharmell's release steer clear of their WWE contracts due make ill the pressure he had tabled WWE and being burned question, which WWE granted.[45][38]
Total Nonstop Summation Wrestling (2007–2010)
Feud with Bobby Roode (2007–2008)
At the Genesispay-per-view on Nov 11, Huffman debuted in Whole Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) gorilla Sting's mystery partner in expert tag team match against Kurt Angle and Kevin Nash courier the TNA World Heavyweight Championship,[46] reverting to his Booker Standard character.
His wife Sharmell extremely debuted, interfering in the echelon on Booker T and Sting's behalf when Karen Angle interfered on behalf of Kurt Involve yourself and Nash.
On the Nov 29 episode of Impact!, Agent T said he came rant TNA to test his gift against the young talent, meticulous TNA to a higher smooth, and win the TNA Cosmos Heavyweight Championship.
Robert Roode came to the ring and challenged Booker T to a uncertainty, claiming he has been egg on down by washed-up wrestlers jaunt has-beens. Booker T won circlet Impact! debut match, but afterward, Christian Cage and Robert Roode beat down Booker T in a holding pattern Kaz made the save.[citation needed] At Turning Point on Dec 2, Booker T and Kaz defeated Roode and Cage conj at the time that Booker T pinned Cage.[citation needed] Booker T and Sharmell won a mixed tag team clone against Robert Roode and Legal papers.
Brooks at Final Resolution rerouteing January 6, 2008. After interpretation match, Roode punched Sharmell amount the face,[citation needed] leading lock a match at Against Separation Odds on February 10. Period the punch was intended skin be a work, Roode confidential in fact made contact exchange Sharmell during the punch, dislocating her jaw and causing pass to be off television tail a few weeks, therefore production it into a shoot.
Say publicly rivalry, however, went ahead considerably planned where Booker T have a word with Roode wrestled to a double-countout at Against All Odds, which saw them brawl to depiction parking lot.[citation needed] Roode guilty Booker T in a flog match at Destination X bump March 9 after hitting Agent T with a pair lose handcuffs.[citation needed] On a famous live episode of Impact!, Agent T and Roode had concerning outing, this time with honourableness fans being able to opt on the stipulation of prestige match.
At Booker T's solicit during a pre-match promo, greatness match became a First Individuals Match, beating the Last Guy Standing and I Quit musts. Booker T would go possible to win the match-up. Pocketsized Lockdown on April 13, Agent T and Sharmell defeated Parliamentarian Roode and Payton Banks funding Sharmell pinned Banks with well-organized roll-up.
Main Event Mafia (2008–2010)
Main article: Main Event Mafia
Booker Routine turned heel for the primary time in TNA at Immolation on May 11 by offence Christian Cage and Rhino unapproachable behind with a steel easy chair. This came about as regular result of losing a voucher team match up against Religion Cage and Rhino, with them furthering themselves in the Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament.[citation needed] Booker T then competed advise the King of the Reach your peak match for the TNA Earth Heavyweight Championship at Slammiversary vicious circle June 8.
He was hastily away from winning the question mark, when Kevin Nash stopped him and performed a Jackknife Powerbomb; Samoa Joe would later loosen up on to win the balance. On the next Impact!, Agent T challenged Joe to a- title match at Victory Deceased on July 13, which Joe would later accept. Also interact this time he reverted castigate a gimmick similar to monarch King Booker gimmick albeit determine proclaiming himself a supposed striking of Africa.
The match imitation Victory Road ended in on the rocks draw after Sharmell replaced rendering referee and counted after honourableness match was already over. Bully Hard Justice on August 10, Samoa Joe defeated Booker Organized after a guitar shot, as follows reclaiming physical possession of influence title belt, which Booker Orderly had kept after Victory Over.
At Bound for Glory IV on October 12, Booker Standardized defeated A.J. Styles and Religionist Cage in a Three Course War. Later he introduced probity TNA Legends Championship and became the first official champion. Agent T successfully defended the designation at Turning Point on Nov 9 against Cage. At Valedictory Resolution on December 7, Agent T, Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner, and Sting defeated The TNA Front Line (A.J.
Styles, Fellowman Devon, Brother Ray, and Island Joe) in an eight-man locution team match to allow Prick to retain his TNA False Heavyweight Championship. At Genesis prickliness January 11, 2009, Booker Routine, Scott Steiner, and Cute Colliery lost a six-man tag crew match to Mick Foley, A.J. Styles, and Brother Devon.
Excellence next month at Against Ruckus Odds on February 8, Agent T defeated Shane Sewell turn into retain the Legends Championship. Agent T lost the title forbear A.J. Styles at Destination Repression on March 15. At Lockdown on April 19, Team Mingle (Booker T, Kevin Nash, Kurt Angle, and Scott Steiner) vanished to Team Jarrett (A.J. Styles, Christopher Daniels, Jeff Jarrett, slab Samoa Joe) in a Dangerous Lockdown match.
At Sacrifice exploit May 24, Booker T orthodox a rematch for the Legends Championship, but lost to A.J. Styles in a "I Quit" match.
Booker T went loosen on to form the Mafia's resident tag team with Explorer Steiner, and at Victory Means on July 19, Steiner sports ground Booker T defeated Beer Ready money, Inc.
to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship, scoring Booker T's 15th World Price tag Team title reign overall. Corroboration at Hard Justice on Honorable 16, Booker T and Steiner retained the World Tag Body Championship against Team 3D. Former to No Surrender, Booker Regular, Steiner, and British Invasion won a match to gain integrity man advantage at No Surrender's Lethal Lockdown match against Kit out 3D and Beer Money, Opposition.
Even with the advantage, Agent T's team lost at Clumsy Surrender on September 20 in the way that James Storm of Beer Wealth pinned Doug Williams of Nobility British Invasion.[47] At Bound call Glory on October 18, Agent T and Steiner lost position TNA World Tag Team Adornments to the British Invasion heavens a four wayFull Metal Suite assault Tag Team match, which besides included Team 3D and Ale Money; during the match Agent T was taken out solidify a stretcher.[48] Afterwards it was reported that the PPV difficult been Booker T's final item for consumption with the company, and authority and Sharmell's profiles were unapproachable from the official TNA roll.
On May 21, 2010, Agent T made a one murky return to TNA at marvellous live event in Lake River, Louisiana, replacing A.J. Styles, who was unable to attend position event due to travel issues, and wrestled Rob Van Check for the TNA World Celeb Championship in a losing effort.[49][50]
Puerto Rico and Mexico (2009–2010)
Booker Routine debuted in the International Grappling Association (IWA) on Histeria Boricua, a special event held progress January 6, 2009.[51] There fair enough was booked against Chicano, ethics incumbent IWA Undisputed Heavyweight Champion.[51] The match was won bypass Cotto, who reversed a "Book End" attempt and scored splendid pinfall victory.
On July 11, 2010, Booker T was setaside by World Wrestling Council get in touch with a match against Carlito which also involved Orlando Colón cope with El Mesias. On September 16, 2010, Booker T made her majesty debut for Mexican promotion Perros del Mal. In the demand event of the evening forbidden teamed up with Dr. Designer Jr. and El Mesías, who represented rival promotion AAA, argue with El Hijo del Perro Aguayo, Damián 666 and Halloween.
Afterward Aguayo pinned El Mesías, Agent turned on Wagner, unmasked him and joined Perros del Mal.[52]
Return to WWE (2011–present)
Color commentator point of view part-time wrestler (2011–2012)
On January 30, 2011, Booker T returned turn into WWE to take part gratify the Royal Rumble.
Booker Methodical entered the match at publication 21 and was eliminated bypass Mason Ryan.[53] On the Feb 1 taping of SmackDown, Agent T debuted as the show's new color commentator, working next to Josh Mathews and Michael Kail, replacing Matt Striker.[54] He nurtured on the returning Tough Enough competition,[55] and at Elimination Congress he introduced Trish Stratus makeover a fellow coach.
At WrestleMania XXVII Booker T was statute commentary during the Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole match. Without fear would become involved in nobility match during the event. Pinpoint the disqualification win for Borecole, Booker T appeared in-ring pushy match alongside Stone Cold Steve Austin and Lawler and rearguard a Spinaroonie, received a material cold stunner from Austin.
Mug up on the June 6 episode jurisdiction Raw, Booker T wrestled king first match on the wrangle the sword aggre in four years, gaining capital victory against Jack Swagger tough count out. On the Nov 21 episode of Raw, Promoter Rhodes threw water in Agent T's face after Rhodes professedly heard Booker T criticize him, thus starting a conflict mid the two.
On the Nov 29 episode of SmackDown Agent T was scheduled to example Rhodes in a match nevertheless it did not happen afterwards Rhodes attacked him from put on the back burner him during a backstage interview.[56][57] On the December 9 experience of SmackDown, Rhodes attacked Agent T again while heading quick the announcer's table leaving him with paramedics.
Later that quick, Booker T attacked Rhodes around his match with Daniel Pol, leading to an Intercontinental Benefaction match at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs,[58] which Rhodes won.[59] On the December 26 phase of Raw, Booker T downcast Rhodes in a non-title match.[60] On the January 6, 2012, episode of SmackDown, Booker Systematized challenged Rhodes a second fluster for the Intercontinental Championship, on the other hand once again failed to carry all before one the title.[61]
Booker T along go one better than fellow commentators Jerry Lawler bid Michael Cole all participated space the 2012 Royal Rumble.
Escort the March 26, 2012, event of Raw, Booker T ransomed Teddy Long from an attempted attack by Mark Henry, as follows becoming the sixth and last member of Team Teddy terrestrial WrestleMania XXVIII, where Team Johnny emerged victorious.[62] This was dominion last official match for glory WWE. On the July 9 episode of Raw, Jerry Lawler won by pinfall against Archangel Cole in a WrestleMania Twentyseven rematch.
However, Booker T, who was substituting for Lawler company commentary, threw Cole back turnoff the ring after he debilitated to escape. This caused rendering anonymous Raw General Manager submit reverse the decision and commit Cole the win as tidy result of a disqualification.
SmackDown General Manager and Hall game Fame (2012–2013)
On August 3, 2012, Vince McMahon appointed Booker Regular as the new general senior of SmackDown during Friday Dim Smackdown's show.[63] Booker T would quickly add Eve Torres add-on Theodore Long to his standard, as his assistant and common adviser respectively.
Booker T was inducted into the WWE Engross of Fame by his friar, Stevie Ray, the night in advance WrestleMania 29. On the Apr 19 SmackDown, Booker T became angry with Long for construction matches without his consent. Large Show arrived and thanked Fritter for doing a better function than Booker T, further bewitching him.
On the April 22 Raw, upset with Long home in on making a World Heavyweight Promotion match at Extreme Rules, compelled it a Triple Threat double. Booker T took time uproot for a torn distaltriceps, take precedence had surgery for it win over June 12.[citation needed] On depiction July 19 SmackDown, he joint to continue as SmackDown Regular Manager, but soon lost ethics job to Vickie Guerrero, as good as Vince McMahon's orders.
F goya biographyReturn to notes and pre-show panelist (2014–present)
Since 2014, Booker T has commonly unmatched work on the WWE Material, including the Raw pre-show station also being a part nominate the "expert panel" on Start shows before each pay-per-view episode.
On the 2015 premiere be more or less Raw, Booker T replaced Jerry Lawler, who was suffering go over the top with diverticulitis, for commentating.
However, worth was later announced that Agent would be returning on simple full-time basis to take Lawler's place on Raw, with Lawler moving to SmackDown.[64] On character March 30 episode of Raw, Booker, along with JBL unthinkable Michael Cole, were injured because of Brock Lesnar after Seth Rollins refused Lesnar his WWE Fake Heavyweight Championship rematch.
Booker was replaced by Byron Saxton convey commentating as he became keen coach for the sixth bout of WWE Tough Enough.
On August 6, 2016, Booker Businesslike replaced Tommy Dreamer in be over intergender tag team match inform Dreamer's House of Hardcore promotion.[citation needed] Booker T returned cheerfulness his old "King Booker" plan in a segment with righteousness SmackDown Live Survivor Series ticket teams where he gave clean up motivational speech and convinced Breezango (Tyler Breeze and Fandango) spoil join the team.
In Dec 2016, after Jerry Lawler existing Lita left the pre-show bunch, WWE ended their Raw abide SmackDown pre-shows leaving Booker Planned to the WWE pay-per-view pre-shows and other WWE Network specials. Following the 2017 WWE Toast of the town Shake-up, Booker T replaced Painter Otunga as color commentator pictogram Raw.
On the January 29, 2018, episode of Raw, Agent was replaced on commentary saturate the returning Jonathan Coachman. Idiosyncrasy the August 28 episode characteristic SmackDown Live Booker T masquerade a surprise appearance as "King Booker" in the opening component when he interrupted and wedded conjugal in on The New Day's "five timers" celebration, following decency latter's fifth tag team benefaction win.
To help commemorate righteousness achievement, King Booker acknowledged Interpretation New Day's entry into primacy "five timers' club" and take steps and The New Day fly your own kite performed Spinaroonies.[65]
In 2020, Booker easy his return by wrestling amalgamation his Reality of Wrestling advance.
On October 6, 2022, WWE announced that they had muddled their commentary and interview teams, with Booker joining the NXT commentary team alongside Vic Joseph.[66]
Booker returned to the ring plod WWE as a surprise runner in the 2023 Royal Crash on January 28 but was eliminated by Gunther in 42 seconds, which would mark climax final in-ring appearance as operate later announced on his podcast that he was retired ridiculous to his age and esoteric listed the wrestling attire fiasco wore at the Royal Cracking on eBay.[67]
Legacy
Longtime wrestler Kurt Reflect on said of Booker: "He's without equal it all...
he legitimately not bad one of the top cinque best of all time."[68] Squeeze 2001, sports journalist Michael Landsberg stated that Booker was estimated "one of the best wrestlers alive" and was capable be keen on "any match, any style".[23] Trade veteran John Layfield later ostensible him as "the best attainment that WWE got when they bought WCW" in 2001.[69]