Booker T

Booker T

Class of 2013 & 2019

Career[]

Booker Huffman, a single father working at a storage company in Houston, Texas, was looking to make a better life for himself and his son. His brotherLane suggested that he and Booker check out a new wrestling school being opened, run byIvan Putski, in conjunction with his Western Wrestling Alliance organization. His boss from the storage company loaned him the $3,000 to pay for the wrestling lessons. Booker trained underScott Casey, who helped to turn Booker's background in drama and dance into "sports entertainment", teaching the newcomer ring psychology and ring generalship.

Eight weeks later, Booker debuted as "G.I. Bro" on Putski'sWestern Wrestling Alliance Live! program. The character was a tie-in to the raging Gulf War and the WWF'sSgt. Slaughter angle. Even though the WWA met its demise some time later, Booker continued to wrestle on the Texas indy circuit, often with his brother Stevie Ray. They were spotted bySkandor Akbar who hired them to work for theGlobal Wrestling Federation (GWF), where he andEddie Gilbert were involved. Gilbert teamed Stevie Ray and Booker T together as the Ebony Experience, and they won theGWF Tag Team Championship on July 31, 1992. During their time with GWF, they held the tag title a total of three times. Subsequently, Booker T and Stevie Ray left the GWF to work forWorld Championship Wrestling.

World Championship Wrestling (1993–2001)[]

Harlem Heat (1993–1997)[]

Main article:Harlem Heat

Booker and his brotherLane signed withWorld Championship Wrestling (WCW) afterSid Vicious recommended they sign with the company. In August 1993, they debuted as the tag team Harlem Heat, with Booker renamed Kole and Lane renamed Kane. They became heels and were onHarley Race andCol. Rob Parker's team in theWarGames match atFall Brawl on September 19 againstSting,Davey Boy Smith,Dustin Rhodes, andThe Shockmaster. They lost the match but wereover as heels because of the caliber of faces they wrestled.

In 1994, they acquired the services ofSensational Sherri, dubbed 'Sister' Sherri, as their manager and changed their names back to Booker T and Stevie Ray, at their request. By the end of 1994, they held theWCW Tag Team Championship after defeatingStars 'n' Stripes (The Patriot andMarcus Alexander Bagwell) in December. After dropping the title toThe Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs &Jerry Sags), Harlem Heat regained the belts on June 24, 1995.

Afterward, Harlem Heat got into a feud with Col. Parker'sStud Stable of"Dirty" Dick Slater andBunkhouse Buck. Parker and Sherri were carrying on a love affair and Parker eventually left the Stud Stable in favor of the Heat to be with Sherri. Harlem Heat won the WCW World Tag Team titles atFall Brawl 1995, defeating Dick Slater and Bunkhouse Buck. Their third title reign only lasted one day, but the duo regained the tag team title nine days later fromThe American Males (Buff Bagwell andScotty Riggs). On the June 24, 1996Nitro, Harlem Heat defeatedLex Luger and Sting to capture their fifth WCW World Tag Team titles. Prior to defeating Luger for the title, Booker got carried away during a televised interview, calling out Luger as well asHulk Hogan. Three days after losing the tag team titles to theSteiner Brothers, Harlem Heat regained the straps back from the Steiners on July 27. On September 23, Booker T and Stevie Ray were defeated byPublic Enemy (Rocco Rock &Johnny Grunge) but took the titles back for the seventh time on October 1.

They lost the Tag Team Championship toThe Outsiders (Kevin Nash &Scott Hall) on October 27. Subsequently, they fired Col. Parker and beat him up and became full-fledged faces. They then entered into a brief feud against Parker's newest teamThe Amazing French Canadians, a feud they won. In 1997, they feuded with "Public Enemy" (Grunge & Rocco), The Steiners, and thenWo. In fall 1997, they fired Sherri and added a new manager,Jacqueline. They were briefly put out of action by the nWo and returned to feud with theFaces of Fear (Meng andThe Barbarian). Stevie then took five months off from WCW to recover from an ankle injury and Jacqueline left for the WWF.

World Television Champion (1997–1998)[]

Huffman made the transition into singles action and won theWCW World Television Championship fromDisco Inferno on the December 29, 1997 Edition ofMonday Night Nitro. Booker feuded over the title withPerry Saturn andRick Martel culminating in a gauntlet match atSuperBrawl VIII. Martel, the man that was originally supposed to win the match, went down early due to a knee injury, meaning the finish and the remainder of the match had to be called in the ring.

In the spring of 1998, Booker began feuding withChris Benoit. Benoit cost Booker the TV title during a match againstFit Finlay. As a result, Booker and Benoit engaged in a "best-of-seven series" with the winner meeting Finlay for the title. After seven matches and interference fromBret Hart and Stevie Ray, Booker T won the series, and on June 14, regained the Television Championship. He was the first African American to hold the WCW World Television Championship and the only one tolegitimately win the title (Stevie Ray also held and defended the title while Booker was injured).

During a match with Hart, Booker injured his knee and missed several months. When he returned, he quickly regained the TV Championship fromScott Steiner, who, in turn, defeated Booker in the finals of theWCW United States Heavyweight Championship tournament. Booker lost the Television title toRick Steiner a month later atSlamboree.

Harlem Heat reunion; Misfits in Action (1999–2000)[]

By mid-1999, Booker had convinced his brother,Stevie Ray, to leave the nWo and reunite Harlem Heat. Harlem Heat defeatedBam Bam Bigelow andKanyon for the WCW World Tag Team titles atRoad Wild. They lost the WCW World Tag Team titles toBarry andKendall Windham on August 23, but Harlem Heat regained them about a month later atFall Brawl. When theFilthy Animals were stripped of the WCW World Tag Team belts due to an injury suffered by Rey Mysterio Jr., the title was put up in a three-way dance atHalloween Havoc. Harlem Heat claimed their tenth WCW World Tag Team title defeatingHugh Morrus andBrian Knobbs andKonnan andKidman. By late 1999, a female bodybuilder named Midnight had joined Harlem Heat. Stevie neglected her help and started disputing with Booker over her.

Stevie Ray eventually challenged Midnight in a match that decided whether or not she would stay with Harlem Heat. After being defeated with a surprisesmall package, Stevie Rayturned on both Booker and Midnight to form Harlem Heat, Inc. withBig T,Kash, andJ. Biggs. Stevie Ray and Big T dubbed themselvesHarlem Heat 2000. Throughout this period, Huffman was referred to simply as Booker, as Harlem Heat 2000, won the rights to the name "T" in a match with Big T against Booker on February 20, 2000 atSuperBrawl X. Kidman and Booker T defeated Harlem Heat 2000 (Ray and Big T) atUncensored 2000.

WhenVince Russo andEric Bischoff formed TheNew Blood, Huffman eventually completely changed his in-ring persona, joiningGeneral Rection's military-themedMisfits In Actionstable as G.I. Bro, reprising his gimmick from his days in the WWA. He defeatedShawn Stasiak atthe Great American Bash in a Boot Camp match. He later returned to the Booker T name.

WCW World Heavyweight Champion (2000–2001)[]

Huffman was elevated to the main event status in 2000. After WCWbooker Vince Russo grew disgruntled withHulk Hogan's politicking, he fired Hogan during the live broadcast ofBash at the Beach and announced an impromptu match betweenJeff Jarrett and Huffman for the World Title. Huffman won the match, in the process becoming the second ever African American champion in WCW afterRon Simmons. He was then defeated byKevin Nash on August 28 onNitro. He regained the title a few weeks later in aSteel Cage match with Nash atFall Brawl, but again lost the title, this time to Vince Russo himself in a cage match (Russo wasspeared out of the cage byGoldberg and won the title), Russo vacated the title and Booker won it for the third time in a San Francisco 49er Box Match against Jeff Jarrett on the October 2 edition ofNitro.

Booker's next feud was withScott Steiner, to whom he eventually lost the title in a Straitjacket steel cage match. Steiner won by TKO when he put an unconscious Booker into theSteiner Recliner atMayhem. Steiner was WCW's longest reigning champion in years, whilst Booker was briefly out with an injury. Booker returned to the roster and defeatedRick Steiner for theWCW United States Heavyweight Championship atGreed, and on the final episode ofNitro, defeated Scott Steiner to win the World title for the fourth time.

Huffman won a total of twenty-three titles in WCW, making him the most decorated athlete in the history of the organization. Booker was also the reigning United States Heavyweight Champion and WCW World Heavyweight Champion when he accepted a contract with theWorld Wrestling Federation (WWF).

World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment (2001–2007)[]

The Alliance (2001–2002)[]

After WCW was bought by the World Wrestling Federation in March 2001, Booker T made his debut at theKing of the Ring pay-per-view in 2001 attackingWWF ChampionStone Cold Steve Austin during his match, promptly injuring him in his very first move in the WWF. He later turned heel and became a leading member ofThe Alliance duringthe Invasion storyline. During July 2001, in his debut match in the company, Booker defended hisWCW World Heavyweight Championship againstBuff Bagwell. AtInVasion, The Alliance defeated Team WWF when Steve Austin joined the Alliance. On July 26, Booker gave up hisWCW United States Heavyweight Championship and handed it over toChris Kanyon. He later lost the WCW World title toKurt Angle, but he went on to win the title back on the July 30 episode ofRaw. Booker kept the title untilSummerSlam, when he lost the title toThe Rock after feuding with him over the similarity in theirgimmicks and their identical finishing moves, theBook End/Rock Bottom. Booker T won the WCW World Tag Team Championship for an eleventh time, this time withTest, and he also had aWWF Tag Team Championship reign with Test. At theSurvivor Series, Booker T was eliminated third by The Rock after aroll-up and eventually The Alliance was defeated, causing them to disband.

In its aftermath, Booker remained aheel, and he joined forces withVince McMahon andThe Boss Man in December tofeud with Stone Cold Steve Austin. After Booker T cost Austin a match againstChris Jericho for theWWF Undisputed Championship atVengeance, Austin gained revenge by attacking Booker T in a grocery store by covering him in food.

Booker T's firstWrestleMania appearance was atWrestleMania X8 againstEdge. They feuded over who would appear in a fictional Japanese shampoo commercial. When thebrand extension was introduced in March, Booker T wasdrafted to theRaw brand. Booker held theWWF Hardcore Championship twice in May 2002, defeatingStevie Richards only to lose it toCrash Holly seconds later. He then re-defeated Crash and dropped the Belt to Stevie Richards a couple minutes later.

Teaming with Goldust; injury (2002–2003)[]

Goldust began trying to start a tag team with Booker, but Goldust kept costing Booker matches. With thenWo now operating in WWE, Booker T was eventually invited into the faction. His time there was short-lived, when he got (literally) kicked out of the group byShawn Michaels, who believed Booker T was taking away from his own spotlight. Booker then turnedface and found a partnership with Goldust and the pair teamed to battle the nWo. Booker and Goldust had a title shot againstThe Un-Americans (Christian andLance Storm) atSummerSlam, but The Un-Americans retained after interference from Test. AtNo Mercy, Booker and Goldust battled Chris Jericho and Christian for the tag titles, but they lost the match with Jericho using the title belt on Goldust.

He spent the rest of 2002 teaming with Goldust. They won theWorld Tag Team Championship atArmageddon in a Tag TeamElimination match defeating the teams of Christian and Chris Jericho, Lance Storm andWilliam Regal, and theDudley Boyz. They held the belts for about three weeks, when they lost them to Regal and Storm. Booker and Goldust lost the rematch and decided to go their separate ways. The gimmick for Booker and Goldust was Goldust being a strange, yet dependable ally who Booker eventually warmed up to after initial skepticism. By 2003, however, Booker T's popularity had soared and he amicably separated fromGoldust, at Goldust's request, in order to pursue theWorld Heavyweight Championship. In February 2003, he eliminatedThe Rock to win abattle royal for the number one contendership, granting him a title shot atWrestleMania XIX.

Booker targetedEvolution afterBatista andRandy Orton attacked Booker's former partner, Goldust. Several weeks before WrestleMania, the incumbent champion and Evolution's leader, Triple H, cut a controversialpromo on Booker T. Triple H downplayed Booker T's WCW success, pointing out that theWCW Championship had been held by non-wrestlers likeVince Russo and actorDavid Arquette calling WCW and its title "a joke". He said that "people like" Booker T would never win world championships in WWE. This promo is also often interpreted as racist as Triple H also made reference to Booker T's "nappy" hair and comments implying that Booker T was just in WWE to dance and entertain for "people like" Triple H. In the WrestleMania XIX press conferenceMichael Cole asked Triple H as to whether he had deliberately cut a racist promo, Triple H claimed this was not the case and that he was just referring to Booker's criminal past. A week later, Booker attacked Triple H in the bathroom, laying him out. However, Booker T lost to Triple H at WrestleMania XIX which has added to the infamy of the promo and feud, as by traditional wrestling booking standards, he should have beaten Triple H. For several weeks, he teamed with Shawn Michaels andKevin Nash in a feud against Triple H,Ric Flair, andChris Jericho. AtBacklash, Booker's team lost when Triple H pinned Nash after asledgehammer shot.

Afterward, Booker set his sights on theWWE Intercontinental Championship. After losing a battle royal for the title atJudgment Day, Booker feuded with then champion Christian. After a few matches, Booker defeated him to become the new champion. About a month later, because of a nagging back injury, Booker lost the Intercontinental title back to Christian at an untelevisedhouse show. Booker, meanwhile, was out of action until September.

SmackDown!; United States Champion (2003–2004)[]

When Booker returned in 2003, he announced he would be on Team Austin at theSurvivor Series which would determine ifEric Bischoff orSteve Austin would be theGeneral Manager ofRaw. Booker's team lost the match, so Austin lost his position as Co-General Manager ofRaw. Booker then entered a feud withMark Henry, the man who eliminated him in the Survivor Series match. Booker defeated Henry atArmageddon.

On the February 16, 2004 edition ofRaw, Booker T andRob Van Dam defeatedRic Flair and Batista for theWorld Tag Team Championship. Booker and Van Dam held the titles for a month, even defending the belts atWrestleMania XX in a 4 Corners tag team match. They lost the belts eight days later onRaw back to Flair and Batista.

On March 23, 2004 he was "traded" (along with theDudley Boyz) to theSmackDown! brand in exchange forTriple H, but as part of a new storyline, he appeared unhappy with the move. Later on, Booker T bragged about how he was the biggest star onSmackDown! and turned heel when he began to feud withThe Undertaker. Booker tried to utilize voodoo magic in order to try and overcome his "supernatural" foe; however, it did nothing to prevent him from losing to the Undertaker atJudgment Day.

In mid-2004, Booker T set his sights on theWWE United States Championship along with its champion,John Cena. After Cena got on the bad side of General ManagerKurt Angle, he did his best to get the title away from Cena. Cena successfully defended the title atThe Great American Bash in a four-way elimination match against Booker,René Duprée, and Rob Van Dam. After General Manager Kurt Angle stripped Cena of his title, Booker took advantage of the situation and won an eight-man elimination match to become United States Champion. Booker and Cena participated in a best-of-five series of matches for the United States Championship. It culminated atNo Mercy, where Cena won the title.

Pursuit of the WWE Championship (2004–2006)[]

OnOctober 21,SmackDown!General ManagerTheodore Long placed Booker in a six-man tag team match with Rob Van Dam andRey Mysterio againstJohn "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL),René Duprée, andKenzo Suzuki. JBL expected Booker to betray his partners, but instead Booker pinned him, thus turning face again. Booker T faced JBL for theWWE Championship at theSurvivor Series on November 14, but lost after he was hit in the head with the championship belt. The next night, Booker T demanded a rematch, citingOrlando Jordan's interference. He was then joined byEddie Guerrero andThe Undertaker who also wanted a shot at JBL's title, prompting Theodore Long to make aFatal Four Way match for the WWE Championship atArmageddon. Once again, Booker failed to win the title, as JBL retained it.

He then briefly teamed with Eddie Guerrero and feuded withHeidenreich.Booker won a 30-ManBattle RoyalDark match atWrestleMania 21 last eliminating Raw'sViscera and "Masterpiece"Chris Masters. Subsequently, Booker was part of the tournament to name a new number one contender and made it to the Final Four. AfterKurt Angle eliminated Booker, he returned the favor, costing Angle the match against JBL. The storyline then turned to a sexual nature, as Angle began stalking Booker's new wife,Sharmell. Booker defeated Angle atJudgment Day. On the May 26 edition ofSmackDown!, Booker participated in a "Winners Choice" Battle Royal, with the winner choosing his opponent for the next week. Kurt Angle won and wanted to wrestle Sharmell. Booker protested, and the match was made into aHandicap match. Angle won by pinning Sharmell in a sexual position. The next week, Booker gained revenge on Angle, defeating him with aScissors Kick.

On June 30, JBL defeated Christian, The Undertaker,Chris Benoit, and Booker T. During the match, Booker got specifically involved with Christian. Booker later defeated Christian atThe Great American Bash. Booker T began teaming with Chris Benoit, eyeing the United States Championship again. Meanwhile, after a series of matches withMNM, Sharmell introduced some heel characteristics unknown to Booker. Benoit was allowed to pick his next challenger to see who would face him atNo Mercy, so Booker, Christian, and Orlando Jordan tried to impress Benoit by winning matches. He could not choose, so he made it a Fatal Four-way for No Mercy, where Benoit successfully defended his title. On the October 21 edition ofSmackDown!, Booker T defeated Benoit for the United States Championship, due to an unseen assist from the evil Sharmell. Theodore Long later showed footage of Sharmell interfering in Booker's matches. Later, Booker and Sharmell went to apologize to Benoit and give him a rematch, but instead, he attacked Benoit, and busted him open with the U.S. title officially turning heel once again. Booker then boasted that he had been fully aware of what Sharmell had been doing and had been playing dumb to fool everyone.

On November 25, Booker T fought against Benoit for the United States Championship. The match ended when Benoit superplexed Booker and two referees made a three count on either competitor, claiming that their wrestler had won. Booker was stripped of the belt by Theodore Long, because of the confusion of who won since they pinned each other at the same time. Long decided to put Benoit and Booker against each other in a best of seven series, just as the two had in their WCW days. Booker took an early 3-0 lead. In a must win match duringArmageddon, Benoit was able to defeat Booker T to bring the series to 3-1. At ahouse show on December 2, however, Booker was injured, and he did not wrestle again until after the "Best of Seven" series with Benoit was completed. Booker was scheduled to face Benoit in Match 5 of the Best of Seven Series at theSmackDown! tapings the following night. At the beginning of the show, General Manager Theodore Long said that Booker would have to forfeit. Both Booker and Benoit protested, with Benoit not wanting a cheap victory. Booker managed to persuade Long to allow him to choose a stand-in for the matches. Booker selectedRandy Orton, over an unhappy Orlando Jordan, as his stand-in. Benoit was able to beat Orton in two matches. Orton, however, was able to defeat Benoit in the final match to win the series and the title for Booker T, who held the title untilNo Way Out where Benoit won it back.

After losing the title, Booker was involved in a feud withThe Boogeyman, who continually scared Booker and Sharmell over the next few weeks. The feud culminated in a match atWrestleMania 22 on April 2, where both Booker and Sharmell lost to the Boogeyman in a handicap match. The feud came to an end on the April 7 edition ofSmackDown! where it was announced that Booker and his wife had taken out a restraining order on the Boogeyman.

King Booker and World Heavyweight Champion (2006–2007)[]

Main article:King Booker's Court

Booker next entered theKing of the Ring tournament onSmackDown!, advancing through to the finals due to a bye as his semi-final opponent,Kurt Angle, was unable to wrestle. The finals were held atJudgment Day where Booker defeatedBobby Lashley. Upon winning the King of the Ring tournament, Booker T changed his ring name toKing Booker. Under this name, he went on to formKing Booker's Court, which includedQueen Sharmell, William Regal, andFinlay. Over time, King Booker began to act as if he were a real king of "The SmackDown! Kingdom", including mannerisms and appearance of a typical English-style king, with the members of his court being real citizens of England and Northern Ireland. His new persona included wearing a crown and speaking in a faux British accent, thus referring to himself as "Book-ah". This was intentionally broken whenever he was riled up, which always drove him to making a tirade in the former Booker T style. King Booker even went as far as having Lashley kiss his "royal" feet. As a result, Lashley defeated King Booker in aSteel Cage match to retain the United States title.

King Booker won a #1 ContendersBattle Royal to win a World title shot atThe Great American Bash. Booker won theWorld Heavyweight Championship fromRey Mysterio at the event, afterChavo Guerrero hit Mysterio with a steel chair. This win caused him to proclaim himself as the"King of the World".

King Booker then entered a rivalry with Batista and lost bydisqualification to him atSummerSlam. However, he defeated Batista atNo Mercy in a match that also included Finlay and Bobby Lashley.

In spite of the break-up of his Court, King Booker defeated Batista on the October 20 edition onSmackDown, due to interference fromWWE ChampionJohn Cena and thenECW World ChampionBig Show. AtCyber Sunday, King Booker retained his World Heavyweight Championship after Kevin Federline interfered and hit John Cena with the World title belt. King Booker became the "Champion of Champions" in a match that marked the first time in which the World Champions fromRaw,SmackDown, andECW fought against each other. Booker lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Batista on November 26 atSurvivor Series. After losing the World title, Booker then feuded alongside former royal court member Finlay against Batista and John Cena, which led up toArmageddon where they lost.While competing in theRoyal Rumble match, Booker was eliminated byKane. A frustrated Booker then returned to the ring illegally and eliminated Kane. This started a short feud between the two resulting in a match atNo Way Out, which Kane won. King Booker then won aMoney in the Bank qualifying match, defeating Kane (with assistance fromThe Great Khali) and earned himself a spot in the match atWrestleMania 23. At WrestleMania,Matt Hardy set up Sharmell for aTwist of Fate during the Money in the Bank match with the briefcase in King Booker's grasp - thus forcing him to choose between a guaranteed title shot and his wife. He chose to defend his Queen and lost the match. On the April 6 edition ofSmackDown!, Booker attempted to take revenge. However, he lost the match against Matt Hardy, and Sharmell declared her disappointment in him and slapped him. In an attempt to impress his Queen, King Booker then attackedThe Undertaker but wasTombstoned on an announce table. Booker was then taken off television to deal with a knee injury.

On the June 11 edition ofRaw, King Booker (along with Queen Sharmell) was drafted fromSmackDown! toRaw as part of theWWE Draft. On July 16, King Booker came to the ring usingTriple H's theme music"The King of Kings", even using his video. King Booker then declared that neither Triple H norJerry Lawler could be known as "The King". Booker then began a feud with Lawler, defeating him on the August 6 edition ofRaw where the loser had to crown the winner the next week. When the time came, Lawler refused, declaring that Triple H was still a king and announcing that King Booker would battle Triple H atSummerSlam. Booker then attacked Lawler, throwing him into the ring post and hitting him with a TV monitor. At SummerSlam, Booker lost to the returning Triple H. On the August 27 edition of Raw, Booker had his last match in the WWE against WWE Champion John Cena in a non-title match which he lost by disqualification when Randy Orton interfered.

In August, he was linked to Signature Pharmacy, a company thought to be distributing performance-enhancing drugs. He was then suspended by WWE for violating its Wellness Policy. He denied using any drugs and being a customer of Signature Pharmacy. In October 2007, Booker T requested his and Sharmell's release from their WWE contracts, which the WWE granted.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling[]

Feuding with Robert Roode (2007–2008)[]

At theGenesispay-per-view on November 11, 2007, Huffman debuted inTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) asSting's mystery partner in a tag team match againstKurt Angle andKevin Nash for theTNA World Heavyweight Championship, reverting to his Booker T character. His wife, Sharmell also debuted, interfering in the match on Booker and Sting's behalf whenKaren Angle interfered on behalf of Kurt Angle and Nash.

On the November 29 edition ofImpact!, Booker said he came to TNA to test his skills against the young talent, take TNA to a higher level, and win the World Heavyweight Championship.Robert Roode came to the ring and challenged Booker to a match, claiming he has been pushed down by washed-up wrestlers and has-beens. Booker won hisImpact! debut match, but afterwards,Christian Cage and Robert Roode beat down Booker untilKaz made the save. AtTurning Point, Booker and Kaz defeated Roode and Cage when Booker pinned Cage. Booker and Sharmell won a mixed tag team match against Robert Roode andMs. Brooks atFinal Resolution. After the match, Roode punched Sharmell in the face, leading to a match atAgainst All Odds. An interesting side note about the punch is that while it was intended to be a work, Roode had in fact made contact with Sharmell during the punch, dislocating her jaw and causing her to be off TV for a few weeks, therefore making it into a shoot. The rivalry, however, went ahead as planned where Booker and Roode wrestled to a double-count out at Against All Odds, which saw them brawl to the parking lot. Roode defeated Booker in strap match atDestination X after hitting Booker with a pair of handcuffs. In a special live edition ofImpact!, Booker T and Robert Roode had another outing, this time with the fans being able to vote on the stipulation of the match. At Booker's request during a pre-match promo, the match became a First Blood Match, beating the Last Man Standing and I Quit stipulations. Booker T would go on to win the match-up. AtLockdown, Booker T and Sharmell defeated Robert Roode andPayton Banks after Sharmell pinned Banks with aroll-up.

The Main Event Mafia (2008–2009)[]

Main article:The Main Event Mafia

Booker T turned heel for the first time in TNA atSacrifice by attacking Christian Cage andRhino from behind with a steel chair. This came about as a result of losing a tag team match up against Christian Cage and Rhino, with them furthering themselves in the Deuces Wild Tag Team Tournament. Booker then competed in theKing of the Mountain match for theWorld Heavyweight Championship atSlammiversary. He was seconds away from winning the match, whenKevin Nash stopped him and performed aJackknife Powerbomb;Samoa Joe would later go on to win the match. On the nextImpact!, Booker challenged Joe to a title match atVictory Road, which Joe would later accept. Also around this time he reverted to a gimmick similar to his King Booker gimmick albeit while proclaiming himself a supposed King of Africa. The match at Victory Road ended in a draw after Sharmell replaced the referee and counted after the match was already over. AtHard Justice, Samoa Joe defeated Booker after aguitar shot, thus reclaiming physical possession of the title belt, which Booker had kept after Victory Road. Later he introduced theTNA Legends Championship and became the first official champion and defended it on numerous occasions before losing it to A.J. Styles.

Booker would form the Mafia's resident tag team with Scott Steiner, the two setting their sights on theTNA World Tag Team Championship. AtVictory Road, Steiner and Booker defeatedBeer Money, Inc. (Bobby Roode &James Storm) to win the World Tag Team Championship. Then atHard Justice, Booker T and Steiner retained the World Tag Team Championship against Team 3D. Prior to No Surrender, Booker and Steiner andThe British Invasion (Magnus &Doug Williams) won a match to gain the man advantage at No Surrender's Lethal Lockdown match against Team 3D and Beer Money, Inc. Even with the man advantage, Booker T and Scott Steiner along with British Invasion lost to Team 3D and Beer Money Inc. at No Surrender when James Storm of Beer Money, Inc. pinned Doug Williams of The British Invasion. AtBound for Glory Booker and Steiner lost the TNA World Tag Team Titles to the British Invasion in afour wayFull Metal Mayhem Tag Team match, which also included Team 3D and Beer Money; during the match Booker was taken out on a stretcher. Afterwards it was reported that the PPV had been Booker's final appearance with the company, and his and Sharmell's profiles were removed from the official TNA roster. On May 21, 2010, Booker T made a one night return to TNA at alive event in Lake Charles, Louisiana, replacing A.J. Styles, who was unable to attend the event due to travel issues, and wrestling Rob Van Dam for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort.

Puerto Rico and Mexico (2009–2010)[]

Booker T debuted in theInternational Wrestling Association onHisteria Boricua, a special event held on January 6, 2009. There he was booked against Carlos "Chicano" Cotto, the incumbentIWA Undisputed Heavyweight Champion. The match was won by Cotto, who reversed a "Book End" attempt and scored a pinfall victory. On September 16, 2010, Booker T made his debut for Mexican promotionPerros del Mal. In the main event of the evening he teamed up withDr. Wagner, Jr. andEl Mesías, who represented rival promotionAsistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA), againstEl Hijo del Perro Aguayo,Damián 666 andHalloween. After Aguayo had pinned El Mesías, Booker turned on Wagner, unmasked him and joined Perros del Mal.

Return to World Wrestling Entertainment and Face Turn (2011)[]

On January 30, 2011, Booker T (along with Kevin Nash) returned to WWE as a face to take part in theRoyal Rumble. Booker entered the match at number 21 and was eliminated byMason Ryan. At the February 1 tapings of the February 4 episode ofSmackDown!, Huffman debuted as the show's newcolor commentator, working besideJosh Mathews andMichael Cole. He was also revealed to be a coach in the returningTough Enough competition.

AfterTough Enough ended, Booker would spend months peacefully talking on Commentary (aside from Michael Cole's constant harsh words) Booker would "accidentally" start a feud with"Dashing Again" Cody Rhodes after Booker apparently insulted Cody. And would have his second match since returning to the company in a draw after Cody attacked Booker. He would have his second Official match since returning atTLC 2011, losing to Rhodes after two attacks. Although Booker would fight well, he would lose after twoBeautiful Disasters. Booker would beat Cody the next Friday he would challenge Cody to a rematch for the Intercontinental Title the following week which Rhodes accepted. The following week, Booker lost to Cody after a failedBook End into aCross Rhodes. Following this, Booker would go back to commentary. At WWE Tribute to the Troops, Booker once again attacked Rhodes during a match with Daniel Bryan, costing Rhodes the match. On the December 23 episode of SmackDown, Booker distracted Cody Rhodes during a match with Zack Ryder by singing a parody of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer about Rhodes which cost Rhodes the match. On the December 26 episode of Raw, Booker defeated Rhodes in a non-title match. On the January 6, 2012 episode of SmackDown, Booker challenged Rhodes a second time for theWWE Intercontinental Championship, but once again failed to win the title. Booker T along with fellow commentators Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler all participated in the 2012 Royal Rumble.

On the March 26 episode of Raw, Booker T savedTeddy Long from an attempted attack by Mark Henry, Thus becoming the sixth and final member of Team teddy for WrestleMania XXVIII. At WrestleMania XXVIII, Team Johnny defeated Team Teddy. On the July 9 episode of Raw, Jerry Lawler won by pinfall in a WrestleMania XXVII rematch, theAnonymous Raw General Manager reversed the decision and disqualified Lawler, Booker T interfered in the match by grabbing Michael Cole and throwing him back into the ring and Cole won by disqualification.

Smackdown General Manager, WWE Hall of Fame Induction (2012-2013)[]

On July 31, it was announced on WWE.com that Booker T was named the new General Manager of SmackDown by Vince McMahon at the taping of Friday Night SmackDown. Booker would quickly add Eve Torres and Teddy Long to his staff as his assistant and senior advisor. In January 2013, he would return full-time to the commentary desk, serving as color commentator on Saturday Morning Slam (while still serving as SmackDown GM). It was announced on the March 18, 2013 episode ofRaw,that Booker would be inducted into theWWE Hall of Fame. He was inducted by his brother, Stevie Ray. On the April 19 episode of SmackDown, he became angry with Teddy Long for making a match yet again having done this in the past few weeks only for Big Show to arrive and thank Teddy for doing a better job than Booker further infuriating him. On the April 22 episode of Raw, he again ridiculed Teddy for making a match for the World Heavyweight Championship at Extreme Rules, retaliating by making it a triple threat match.

Color commentator (2015–2016, 2017–2018, 2022-present)[]

OnJanuary 5, 2015, Booker T would make his return at the announce table ofRaw, along with Michael Cole,John Bradshaw Layfield andByron Saxton (April 6, 2015) until June 1, 2015. On September 10, 2015, Booker made his return at the announce table ofSmackDown, alongside Cole (December 22, 2015), Jerry Lawler andRich Brennan until December 31, 2015, when he left to become the analyst of Raw Pre-Show. After theSuperstar Shake-up in April, Booker T would make his return once again at the announce table of Raw alongside Michael Cole andCorey Graves as a heel untilRoyal Rumble 2018, whenDavid Otunga was filming the movieKatrina. OnApril 23, 2018 andMay 14, 2018 episode ofRaw, Booker T returns to the commentary desk to fill in forJonathan Coachman.

On October 6, 2022 WWE announced changes to their commentary teams including that Booker T would be the new color commentator forNXT.

Personal life[]

Booker was born the youngest of eight children, in Houston's tough South Park neighborhood. By the time Booker was fourteen, both of his parents had died, and his brotherLane "Stevie Ray" Huffman stepped in to raise him and his siblings. In high school, Booker Huffman was a drum major.

Booker married his first wife Levestia on February 21, 1996. Booker presented her to theWCW Monday Nitro crowd the night after his WCW Championship title win atWCW Bash at the Beach 2000. Levestia was also used to further the feud between himself andJeff Jarrett when Jarrett hit her in the head with a guitar. However, they divorced on May 8, 2001.

Booker has a son from a previous relationship, Brandon, with whom he has a strained relationship due to his time spent on the road. Booker married his girlfriend of five years,Sharmell Sullivan, in February 2005. The couple welcomed their twins, a boy and a girl, on August 5, 2010. Booker and his brother Lane opened a wrestling school in Houston in 2005.

Backstage Problems[]

Huffman had backstage problems in 2006 at aSummerSlam pay-per-view commercial shoot. It was reported on WWE.com that Huffman got into a real life fistfight withDave Batista. The fight was believed to stem from the idea that Batista considered himself to be better than the rest of the roster due to his main event status and relatively quick climb to achieve it. It is believed that Batista provoked the fight, though Huffman appeared to get the upper hand until they were pulled apart by various other superstars. According to sources backstage, both men were left bloodied and bruised. Huffman swore revenge, but the two seemingly put it behind them.

Prison[]

Booker is a convicted felon who spent nineteen months in prison after pleading guilty to armed robberies at Wendy's restaurants in Houston. Booker and his partners wore Wendy's uniforms during the holdups since they had been working there for 2½ years. Because of the gunmen's uniforms and familiarity with the fast food chain's operations, police suspected the robberies were inside jobs—and it didn't take long before Huffman and three other men were found. Booker pleaded guilty in December 1987 to two aggravated robbery counts and was sentenced to five years in prison. He was released in July 1989 after serving about one-third of that term, and was placed on parole until April 1992.

Wrestling facts[]

• Finishing moves

• Book End
• Scissors Kick/Axe Kick, often followed by aSpin-a-Roonie (Breakdance windmill)
• Harlem Hangover (WCW) / Houston Hangover (WWF/E)

• Signature moves

• 110th Street Slam (High-impact delayed spinebuster)
• Forearm smash, sometimes from the top rope
• Arm twist followed by a hook kick
• Harlem Sidekick / Houston Sidekick (Jumping superkick)
• Heat Seeeker (Missile dropkick)
• Jumping high-angle hook kick to an oncoming opponent
• Spinning Crescent Kick
• Superkick
• Repeated Knee Strikes to the head from a double collar tie clinch
• Running knee drop, with theatrics
• Sidewalk Slam
• Sunset flip out of the corner, as a counter to an oncoming opponent
• Spinebuster

• Tag teams and stables

• Harlem Heat - withStevie Ray
• Misfits In Action
• The Alliance
• New World Order (WWE)
• Booker T and Goldust
• King Booker's Court
• Main Event Mafia

• Managers

• Sharmell
• The Boss Man
• Shane McMahon
• Midnight
• Jacqueline
• Sister Sherri
• Col. Robert Parker

• Wrestlers trained

• Brett Idol
• Ember Moon
• Franco Valentino
• Layla El
• Neico
• Tank Bishop
• Roxanne Perez
• Raychell Rose

• Entrance music

• "Rap Sheet" byRene De Wael andDidier Leglise (WCW,WWE,AAA; 1993-2006, 2011-present)
• "Rockhouse" byFrank Shelley (WWE; used while part of theNWO; 2002)
• "Dead White Guys" byJoseph Saba andStewart Winter (WWE; 2006-2007, 2018; as King Booker)
• "Sucka" byDale Oliver (TNA; 2007-2009)
• "Main Event Mafia" by Dale Oliver (TNA; used while part of the Main Event Mafia)

Championships and accomplishments[]

• Global Wrestling Federation
  • GWF North American Tag Team Championship (2 times) - withStevie Ray

• Southern Championship Wrestling Florida
  • SCW Florida Southern Heavyweight Championship

• Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
  • TNA Legends Championship (1 time)
  • TNA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - withScott Steiner

• World Championship Wrestling
  • WCW World Heavyweight Championship (5 times)
  • WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • WCW World Tag Team Championship (10 times) - withStevie Ray
  • WCW World Television Championship (6 times)

• World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
  • World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • WCW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • WCW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) - withTest
  • WWE United States Championship (3 times)
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
  • WWF/E Hardcore Championship (2 times)
  • World Tag Team Championship (3 times) - withTest (1),Goldust (1) andRob Van Dam (1)
  • King of the Ring (2006)
  • 16thWWE Triple Crown Champion
  • 9th WWE Grand Slam Champion
  • WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2013 & 2019)

See also[]

• Legends with JBL: Booker T - Part 1
• Legends with JBL: Booker T - Part 2

External links[]

• WWE.com Profile
• Booker T profile at CAGEMATCH.net
• Profile

WWE Roster
Raw
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SmackDown
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NXT
Adriana Rizzo •Andre Chase •Arianna Grace •Axiom •Bronco Nima •Brooks Jensen •Channing Lorenzo •Charlie Dempsey •Cora Jade •Dante Chen •Dion Lennox •Eddy Thorpe •Edris Enofe •Ethan Page •Fallon Henley •Gigi Dolin •Giulia •Jacy Jayne •Jaida Parker •Jakara Jackson •Javier Bernal •Jazmyn Nyx •Je'Von Evans •Joe Coffey •Jordynne Grace •Josh Briggs •Karmen Petrovic •Kelani Jordan •Lash Legend •Lexis King •Lola Vice •Luca Crusifino •Lucien Price •Malik Blade •Mark Coffey •Myles Borne •Nathan Frazer •Nikkita Lyons •Noam Dar •Oba Femi •Oro Mensah •Ricky Saints •Riley Osborne •Roxanne Perez •Shawn Spears •Sol Ruca •Stephanie Vaquer •Tatum Paxley •Tavion Heights •Thea Hail •Tony D'Angelo •Trick Williams •Tyriek Igwe •Tyson Dupont •Wendy Choo •Wes Lee •Wolfgang •Wren Sinclair •Zaria
Free agents
Brock Lesnar •Omos
Stables & Tag Teams
Alpha Academy •American Made •Damage CTRL •Diamond Mine •Gallus •Latino World Order •Legado Del Fantasma •Meta-Four •No Quarter Catch Crew •Pretty Deadly •Pure Fusion Collective •The Bloodline •The D'Angelo Family •The Judgment Day •The Motor City Machine Guns •The New Day •The Street Profits •The War Raiders •The Wyatt Sicks
Commentators & Interviewers
Booker T •Byron Saxton •Cathy Kelley •Corey Graves •Jackie Redmond •Joe Tessitore •Michael Cole •Sarah Schreiber •Vic Joseph •Wade Barrett
Ring announcers
Alicia Taylor •Mike Rome •Sarah Schreiber
Referees
Chad Patton •Charles Robinson •Chip Danning •Dan Engler •Dallas Irvin •Danilo Anfibio •Daphne Lashaunn •Darryl Sharma •Derek Sanders •Eddie Orengo •Jason Ayers •Jessika Carr •John Cone •Olympe Margaux •Rich Swift •Rod Zapata •Ryan Tran •Shawn Bennett •Tom Scarborough •Will Charlton
Pre-Show Panel
Megan Morant •Pete Rosenberg •Sam Roberts
NXT Trainers
Matthew Bloom •Norman Smiley •Robbie Brookside •Sara Del Rey •Shawn Michaels •Terry Taylor
General Managers
Adam Pearce (Raw) •Nick Aldis (SmackDown) •Ava (NXT)
Current Champions
WWE Championship
Cody Rhodes
WWE Universal Championship
Cody Rhodes
World Heavyweight Championship
Gunther
WWE Intercontinental Championship
Bron Breakker
WWE United States Championship
LA Knight
Women's World Championship
IYO SKY
WWE Women's Championship
Tiffany Stratton
WWE Women's Intercontinental Championship
Lyra Valkyria
WWE Women's United States Championship
Chelsea Green
World Tag Team Championship
The War Raiders (Erik &Ivar)
WWE Tag Team Championship
The Street Profits (Montez Ford &Angelo Dawkins)
WWE Women's Tag Team Championship
The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan &Raquel Rodriguez)
WWE Speed Championship
Dragon Lee
WWE Speed Women's Championship
Candice LeRae
NXT Championship
Oba Femi
NXT North American Championship
Ricky Saints
NXT Women's Championship
Stephanie Vaquer
NXT Women's North American Championship
Vacant
NXT Tag Team Championship
Nathan Frazer &Axiom
NXT Heritage Cup Championship
Lexis King