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Booker T (wrestler)

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Booker Huffman United States
Born (1965-03-01) March 1, 1965 (age 59)[1]
Houston, Texas[1] Texas
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Booker T
Booker
G.I. Bro
Kole
King Booker
Billed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[1]
Billed weight[undue weight? – discuss]
Billed fromHarlem, New York New York (state)
Houston, Texas
Trained byScott Casey[2]
DebutMarch 1, 1990

Booker Huffman (born Robert Booker Tio Huffman[1] on March 1, 1965 in Houston, Texas), better known by his wrestling name Booker T, is an American professional wrestler. He is the owner of Pro Wrestling Alliance and is mostly famous for working under World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment.

During his career in WCW and WWF/E Huffman won a total of six World Championships; a five time WCW Champion, and a one time World Heavyweight Champion. In a addition, he was the winner of the WWE King of the Ring tournament in 2006 and the sixteenth WWE Triple Crown Champion. He is also known for being one-half of the tag team Harlem Heat with his brother Lane Huffman where they were WCW World Tag Team Champions a record ten times together. Huffman is one of the most decorated tag team champions in wrestling history, winning a record 14 World Tag Team titles between the WCW and the WWF/E.

Career

Early career

His brother Lane suggested that he and Booker check out a new wrestling school being opened, run by former WWF star Ivan 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 and Booker began training under another former wrestling star Scott 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's Western Wrestling Alliance Live! program. The character, a tie-in to the raging Gulf War and the WWF's Sgt. Slaughter angle, would return in years to come when Booker traveled to WCW. Even though the WWA would meet its demise some time later, Booker continued to wrestle on the Texas indy circuit, often with his brother Stevie Ray. They were spotted by Skandor Akbar who hired them to work for the Global Wrestling Federation, where he and Eddie Gilbert were involved. Gilbert, soon to be fired from the GWF, did one thing before he left: he teamed Stevie Ray and Booker T together as the Ebony Experience and quickly rose through the ranks of the GWF tag team division under the guidance of Gary Hart, defeating Skandor Akbar’s “Goodfellows” (Gorgeous" Gary Young and Steve Dane) for the GWF Tag Team Championship on July 31, 1992. Their first run with the GWF tag title lasted only a week before they were defeated by The Blackbirds (”Iceman” King Parsons and Action Jackson). Booker and Stevie Ray made a comeback and defeated the cheating birds in September.

The second run with the title lasted a bit longer than a week but was ultimately short lived as the Rough Riders (Black Bart and Johnny Mantell) won the gold on October 23. The title loss was forced due to Booker T suffering a knee injury that needed surgery and time off to recover. In early 1993 the Ebony Experience returned to action and started to chase Bad Breed (Axl and Ian Rotten) who had won the titles while Booker T recovered. On February 26 the Ebony Express won their third GWF Tag Team championship, becoming the only team to hold that title 3 times. Their third run with the title proved to be their longest as they held them until May 7 where Guido Falcone and Vito Mussolini (known as the Sicilian Stallions) defeated them for the titles. Not long after this Booker T and Stevie Ray left the GWF to work for World Championship Wrestling

World Championship Wrestling (1993-2001)

1993-1997

Booker and his brother Lane signed with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the mid-1990s.

In August 1993, they debuted as the tag team Harlem Heat, with Booker renamed Kole and Lane renamed Kane. They were then billed from Harlem. They became heels and were on Harley Race and Col. Rob Parker's team in the War Games at Fall Brawl on September 19, 1993, against Sting, Davey Boy Smith, Dustin Rhodes, and The Shockmaster.[3] They lost the match but were over as heels because of the caliber of faces they wrestled.

In 1994, they got 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 were already Tag Team Champions, having defeated Stars 'n' Stripes (The Patriot and Marcus Alexander Bagwell) in December, en route to a five-month title reign. This would be their first of ten WCW World Tag Team Championship reigns together.

After dropping the title to the Nasty Boys, Harlem Heat regained the belts on June 24, 1995. Afterward Harlem Heat got into a feud with Col. Parker's "Stud Stable" of "Dirty" Dick Slater and Bunkhouse 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 at Fall Brawl 1995, defeating Dick Slater and Bunkhouse Buck.[4] Their third title only lasted one day, but the duo regained the tag team title nine days later from the American Males (Buff Bagwell and Scotty Riggs). On the June 24, 1996 "Nitro," Harlem Heat defeated Lex 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 as Hulk Hogan, claiming "Hulk Hogan, we comin' for you, nigga!" Three days after losing the tag team titles to the Steiner Brothers, Harlem Heat regained the straps back from the Steiners three nights later on July 27, 1996. On September 23, 1996 Booker T and Stevie Ray were defeated by Public Enemy (Rocco Rock & Johnny Grunge) but took the titles back for the seventh time on October 1, 1996.

After the loss of their seventh WCW World Tag Team Championship, to the Outsiders (Kevin Nash & Scott Hall) on October 27, 1996[5] they fired Col. Parker and beat him up and became full-fledged faces. They would then enter into a brief feud against Parker's newest team The Amazing French Canadians, a feud they would win.[6] In 1997 they feuded with "Public Enemy" (Johnny Grunge & Rocco Rock), The Steiners, and the nWo. 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 the "Faces of Fear" (Meng & The Barbarian). Stevie then took five months off from WCW to recover from an ankle injury and Jacqueline left for the WWF.

Huffman made the transition into singles action. Huffman won the WCW World Television Championship six times (a company record), winning it first from Disco Inferno on Monday Night Nitro December 29, 1997.

1998-1999

Booker would feud over the title with Perry Saturn and Rick Martel culminating in a gauntlet match at SuperBrawl VIII. Another impressive aspect of the match was that 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.[7]

In the spring of 1998, Booker crossed paths with Chris Benoit. The two began a series against each other out of mutual respect for one another. However, as the months progressed and the TV title switched hands, tempers flared. Benoit cost Booker the title during a match against Fit Finlay. As spring became summer, it was decided that Booker and Benoit would engage in a "best-of-seven series", on Nitro, Thunder, WCW Saturday Night, and pay-per-views with the winner meeting Fit Finlay for the title. After seven great matches and interference from Bret Hart and a returning Stevie Ray, Booker T won the series and, on June 14th, would go on to regain the Television Championship.[8] He was the first ever African American to hold the WCW World Television Championship and the only one to legitimately 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 from Scott Steiner,[9] who would, in turn, defeat Booker in the finals of the WCW United States Championship tournament.[10] Booker would lose the Television title to Rick Steiner a month later at Slamboree.[11]

By mid 1999, Booker had convinced his brother, Stevie Ray, to leave the nWo and the reunited Harlem Heat. Harlem Heat defeated Bam Bam Bigelow and Kanyon for the WCW World Tag Team titles at the 1999 Road Wild.[12] They lost the WCW World Tag Team titles to Barry and Kendall Windham on August 23, but Harlem Heat would regain them about a month later at the 1999 Fall Brawl.[13] When the Filthy 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 at the 1999 Halloween Havoc. Harlem Heat claimed their tenth WCW World Tag Team title defeating Hugh Morrus and Brian Knobbs and Konnan and Kidman.[14] By late 1999, a female bodybuilder named Midnight had joined Harlem Heat. Stevie neglected her help and started disputing with Booker over her.

2000-2001

Stevie Ray eventually challenged Midnight in a match that would decide whether or not she would stay with Harlem Heat. After being defeated with a surprise small package, Stevie Ray would turn on both Booker and Midnight to form Harlem Heat, Inc. with Big T, Kash, and J. Biggs. Stevie Ray and Big T would dub themselves Harlem Heat 2000. Throughout this period, Huffman was referred to simply as Booker. They won the rights to the Harlem Heat name in a match with Big T against Booker on February 20, 2000 at SuperBrawl X.[15] Kidman and Booker T defeated Harlem Heat 2000 (Ray and Big T) at Uncensored 2000.[16]

When Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff formed The New Blood, Huffman would eventually completely change his in-ring name, joining General Rection's military-themed Misfits In Action faction as G.I. Bro reprising his gimmick from his days in the WWA where he defeated Shawn Stasiak at the 2000 Great American Bash in a Boot Camp match.[17] He regained his more popular alias shortly before his first World Title win.

Huffman was elevated to the main event in 2000; Lane Huffman has speculated that this could in part have been due to a number of racial discrimination lawsuits filed against WCW. After WCW booker Vince Russo grew disgruntled with Hulk Hogan's politicking, he fired Hogan during the live broadcast of Bash at the Beach 2000 and announced an impromptu match between Jeff Jarrett and Huffman for the World Title. Russo supposedly picked Huffman because he claimed Hogan used his political stroke to keep him out of the Main Event scene. Huffman won the match, in the process becoming the second ever African American champion in WCW, after Ron Simmons.[18] He was then defeated by Kevin Nash August 28, 2000 on Nitro in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This remains to date the last major title change to occur in the state of New Mexico. He regained the title a few weeks later in a steel cage match with Nash at Fall Brawl 2000,[19] but would again lose the title, this time to Vince Russo himself in a cage match (Russo was speared out of the cage by Goldberg, 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 of Nitro.

Booker's next feud was with Scott Steiner, to whom he would eventually lose the title in a Straight Jacket Steel cage match. Steiner won by TKO when he put an unconscious Booker into the Steiner Recliner at Mayhem 2000.[20] Steiner would go on to be WCW's longest reigning champion in years, whilst Booker was briefly out with an injury. Booker returned to the roster and defeated Rick Steiner for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship at Greed 2001,[21] and on the final episode of Monday Nitro, defeated Scott Steiner to win the World title for the fourth time.[22]

Huffman won a total of twenty three titles in WCW, making him the most decorated athlete in the history of the organization.[23] Booker was also the reigning WCW U.S. Champion and WCW World Champion when he accepted a contract with the WWF.

World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment (2001-Present)

2001-2002

After WCW was bought by the World Wrestling Federation in March 2001, Booker T made his debut at the King of the Ring 2001 pay-per-view attacking WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin during his match, promptly injuring him in his very first move in the WWF.[24] He became a leading member of the The Alliance during The Invasion storyline. During July 2001, Booker defended his WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Buff Bagwell in the first WWF vs. WCW match.[25] At InVasion, Team WCW/ECW defeated Team WWF when Steve Austin joined the Alliance.[26] On July 26, Booker gave up his WCW United States Title and handed it over to Chris Kanyon. He later lost the WCW World title to Kurt Angle,[27] but he went on to win the title back on the July 30 episode of RAW.[28]

Booker kept the title until SummerSlam, when he lost the title to The Rock after feuding with him over the similarity in their gimmicks and their identical finishing moves, the Book End / Rock Bottom.[29] Booker T won the WCW World Tag Team Championship for an eleventh time, this time with Test,[30] and he also had a WWF World Tag Team Championship reign with Test.[31] At the 2001 Survivor Series, Booker T was eliminated 5th by The Rock after a roll up and eventually The Alliance was defeated, causing them to disband.[32] In its aftermath, Booker remained a heel and joined forces with Vince McMahon and The Boss Man in December to feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin. After Booker T cost Austin a match against Chris Jericho for the WWF Undisputed Championship at Vengeance 2001,[33] Austin gained revenge by attacking Booker T in a grocery store, humiliating him by covering him in food.[34]

Booker T's first WrestleMania appearance was at WrestleMania X8 against Edge. Because it was taking place in Edge's hometown of Toronto, Ontario, the match was thrown on the card only a few weeks before the event. Due to this, the reason they were feuding was quickly contrived- over who would appear in a fictional Japanese shampoo commercial.[35]

When the brand extension was introduced in March, Booker T was drafted to the RAW brand.[36] Booker T held the Hardcore Championship twice in May 2002.

Goldust began trying to start a tag team with Booker, but Goldust kept costing Booker matches. With the nWo now operating in WWE, Booker T was eventually invited into the faction.[37] However, his time there was short-lived, when he got kicked out of the group by Shawn Michaels, who believed Booker T was taking away from his own spotlight. This turned Booker face.[38] Booker then found a partnership with Goldust and the pair teamed to battle the nWo. On the August 12 edition of RAW, Booker and Goldust won a title shot against the The Un-Americans at SummerSlam.[39] The UnAmericans (Christian and Lance Storm) retained after interference from Test.[40] At No Mercy 2002, Booker and Goldust battled Jericho and Christian for the tag titles, but they lost the match with Jericho using the title belt on Goldust.[40]

Booker was also involved in the first ever Elimination Chamber at Survivor Series 2002 where the World Heavyweight title was on the line, however he was eliminated by Chris Jericho.[41]

He spent the rest of 2002 teaming with Goldust. They won the World Tag Team Championship at Armageddon 2002 in a Tag Team Elimination match defeating the teams of Christian & Chris Jericho, Lance Storm & William Regal, and the Dudley Boyz.[41] They held the belts for about three weeks, when they lost them to William Regal and Lance Storm.[42] Booker and Goldust lost the rematch and decided to go their separate ways.[43] The gimmick for Booker and Goldust was Goldust being a strange, yet dependable ally who Booker eventually warmed up to after initial skepticism.

2003-2004

By 2003, Booker T's popularity had soared and he amicably separated from Goldust, at Goldust's request, in order to pursue the World Heavyweight Championship. In February 2003, he eliminated The Rock to win a battle royal for the number one contendership, granting him a title shot at WrestleMania XIX.[44]

Booker T targeted Evolution after Batista and Randy Orton attacked Booker's former partner, Goldust. Booker took aim at Evolution's leader, Triple H. Several weeks before WrestleMania, the incumbent champion, Triple H, cut a controversial promo on Booker T in order to gain heat. Triple H downplayed Booker T's WCW success, pointing out that the WCW Championship had been held by non-wrestlers like Vince Russo and actor David Arquette. He implied that Booker T, as a black wrestler, would never win a world championship in WWE.[45] A week later, Booker got revenge by attacking Triple H in the bathroom, laying him out.[46] Booker T lost to Triple H at WrestleMania XIX.[47]

For several weeks, he teamed with Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash in a feud against Triple H, Ric Flair, and Chris Jericho. At Backlash, Booker's team lost after Triple H pinned Kevin Nash after a sledgehammer shot.[48] Afterward, Booker set his sights on the Intercontinental Championship. After losing a battle royal for the title at Judgment Day,[48] Booker feuded with the champion Christian. After a few matches (getting screwed out of the title on several occasions), Booker managed to defeat him to become the new champion.[49] About a month later, Booker was diagnosed with a bulging disc in his back and lost the Intercontinental title to Christian at a house show.[50] Booker, meanwhile, was out of action until mid October.

When Booker returned, he announced he would be on Team Austin at the 2003 Survivor Series which would determine if Eric Bischoff or Steve Austin would be the General Manager of RAW.[51] Booker's team lost the match, so Austin lost his position as Co-General Manager of RAW.[52] Booker then entered a feud with Mark Henry, the man who eliminated him in the Survivor Series match. Booker defeated Henry at Armageddon.[52]

On the February 16 2004 edition of RAW, Booker T and Rob Van Dam defeated Ric Flair and Batista for the World Tag Team Championship.[53] Booker and RVD held the titles for a month, even defending the belts at WrestleMania XX in an 8-Man tag team match.[54] They lost the belts eight days later on RAW back to Ric Flair and Batista.[55]

On March 23, 2004 he was traded to the SmackDown! brand along with the Dudley Boyz in exchange for Triple H. On SmackDown!, Booker T quickly established himself as a heel by disparagingly referring to SmackDown! as the "minor leagues".[56] After Booker walked out on RVD during a tag team match,[57], he defeated RVD in a match, while he was distracted by pyro going off on the stage.[58] Later on, Booker T bragged about how he was the biggest star on SmackDown!, when he began to feud with The Undertaker. Booker tried to utilize voodoo magic in order to try and overcome his "supernatural" foe;[59] however, it did nothing to prevent him from losing to the Undertaker at Judgment Day.[54]

In mid-2004, Booker T set his sights on the United States Championship along with its champion, John Cena. After Cena got on the bad side of General Manager Kurt Angle, he did his best to get the title off Cena. Cena successfully defended the title at The Great American Bash in a four-way match against Booker, René Duprée, and Rob Van Dam.[60] After general manager Kurt Angle stripped Cena of his title,[61] Booker took advantage of the situation and won an eight-man elimination match to become United States Champion.[62] Booker and Cena participated in a best-of-five series of matches for the United States Championship. After an initial 2-1 lead against Cena,[63][64][65] Booker T lost to Cena in the following matches and was defeated in the final match at No Mercy 2004.[66][63]

On October 21, SmackDown! general manager Theodore Long placed Booker T in a six man tag team match with Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio against John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), René Duprée, and Kenzo Suzuki. JBL expected Booker T to betray his partners, but instead Booker T pinned JBL, thus turning face again.[67] Booker T faced JBL for the WWE Championship at the 2004 Survivor Series on November 14, but lost after he was hit in the head with the championship belt.[68] The next night, Booker T demanded a rematch, citing Orlando Jordan's interference. He was then joined by Eddie Guerrero and The Undertaker who also wanted a shot at JBL's title, prompting Theodore Long to make a Fatal Fourway match for the WWE Championship at Armageddon.[69] Once again, Booker T failed to take the title, as JBL retained it.[70]

2005-2006

Booker performing for the Coalition troops at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq

He teamed with Eddie Guerrero for short time before defeating him in the 1st Round of the #1 Contenders Tournament. Booker lost the tournament in the next round to John Cena and took his frustration out on Heidenreich. After several matches ending with DQ finishes, Booker defeated Heidenreich in a No Disqualification match on the March 10 edition of SmackDown!.

Subsequently, Booker was part of the tournament to name a new number one contender and made it to the Final Four. After Kurt Angle eliminated Booker, he returned the favor, costing Angle the match against John Layfield (JBL). Angle made it personal, going after Booker's new wife, Sharmell. Angle began stalking Sharmell. Angle referred to Sharmell as a "gutter slut", claiming that he "liked it". He also remarked that he wanted to have "bestiality sex" with her. Booker defeated Angle at Judgment Day 2005. On the May 26 edition of SmackDown!, Booker T 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 a Handicap match. Angle won by pinning Sharmell in a sexual position. The next week, Booker gained revenge on Angle, defeating him with a Scissors Kick.

On June 30, JBL beat Christian, The Undertaker, Chris Benoit, and Booker T. During the match, Booker T got specifically involved with Christian. Booker later defeated Christian at The Great American Bash. Booker T began teaming with Chris Benoit, eying the United States Championship again. Meanwhile, after a series of matches with MNM, Sharmell introduced some heelish characteristics unknown to Booker. Chris Benoit was allowed to pick his next challenger to see who would face him at No Mercy, so Booker, Christian, and Jordan tried to impress Benoit by winning matches. He could not choose, so he made it a Fatal Fourway for No Mercy, where Benoit successfully defended his title. On the October 21 edition of SmackDown!, Booker T defeated Chris Benoit for the United States Championship, due to an unseen assist from Sharmell. Theodore Long later showed footage of Sharmell interfering in Booker T's matches. Later, Booker T and Sharmell went to apologize to Benoit and give him a rematch, but instead, he attacked Benoit while Sharmell was laughing, 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 T and two referees made a three count on either competitor, claiming that their wrestler had won. Booker T 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 like the two had in their WCW days. Booker T defeated Benoit to take a 1-0 lead at Survivor Series 2005 and then jumped out to a commanding 3-0 lead. In a must win match during Armageddon 2005, Benoit was able to defeat Booker T to bring the series to 3-1. However, at a house show in White Plains, New York on December 26, Booker T strained his groin muscle and did not wrestle again until after the "Best of Seven" series with Benoit was completed. Booker T was scheduled to face Chris Benoit in Match 5 of the Best of Seven Series at the SmackDown! 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 selected Randy Orton, over an unhappy Orlando Jordan, as his stand-in. Benoit was able to beat Orton in two matches, due to interference from both Sharmell and Jordan, tying the series 3 matches apiece. However Randy Orton was able to defeat Benoit in the final match up to win the series and the title for Booker T, who held the title until No Way Out where Benoit won it back.

After losing the title, Booker T was involved in a feud with The Boogeyman, who continually scared Booker T and Sharmell over a few months. The feud culminated in a match during WrestleMania 22 on April 2, where both Booker T and Sharmell faced the Boogeyman in a handicap match and lost. The feud came to an end on the April 7 edition of SmackDown! where it was announced that Booker T and his wife had taken out a restraining order on the Boogeyman.

Booker T next entered the King of the Ring tournament on SmackDown!, where he defeated his first round opponent Matt Hardy before advancing through to the finals due to a bye as his semi-final opponent, Kurt Angle, was unable to wrestle. The finals were held at Judgment Day 2006 where Booker T defeated Bobby Lashley with help from Finlay.

King Booker's Court
Main article: King Booker's Court

Upon winning the King of the Ring tournament, Booker T changed his ring name to King Booker. As King Booker, he went on to form King Booker's Court, which included Queen Sharmell, William Regal, and Finlay.

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. This was intentionally broken whenever he was riled up, which always drove him to making a tirade in the former Booker T style. This was a humorous in-joke to his faux English accent and demeanor. King Booker even went as far as having Lashley kiss his royal feet. Bobby Lashley went on to defeat King Booker in a steel cage match to retain the United States Title.

King Booker won a #1 Contenders battle royal to win a World title shot at The Great American Bash 2006. King Booker won the World Heavyweight Championship from Rey Mysterio at the event, after Chavo Guerrero hit Mysterio with a steel chair, winning his first World Title in WWE. This win caused him to proclaim himself as the "King of the World".

Booker then entered a rivalry with Batista and lost by disqualification to him at SummerSlam. However, he defeated Batista at No Mercy 2006 in a match that also included Finlay and Bobby Lashley. In spite of the break-up of his Court, the King defeated Batista on the October 20 edition on SmackDown, due to interference from WWE Champion John Cena and then ECW World Champion The Big Show. At Cyber 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 from RAW, SmackDown, and ECW fought against each other. Booker lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Batista on November 26 2006 at Survivor Series.[71] After losing the World title, Booker then feuded alongside former royal court member Finlay against Batista and John Cena, which lead up to Armageddon where they lost.

2007

King Booker's signature pose.

King Booker competed in the beat the clock challenge to see who would challenge Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship at the Royal Rumble. He defeated Gregory Helms in the shortest time, but was ultimately superseded by Mr. Kennedy who won the challenge.

While competing in the Royal Rumble match, Booker was eliminated by Kane. A frustrated Booker then returned to the ring illegally and eliminated Kane. This caused a short feud between the two forcing a match at No Way Out, which Kane won. Booker then won a Money in the Bank qualifying match, defeating Kane (with assistance from The Great Khali) and earned himself a spot in the match at WrestleMania 23, which was won by Mr. Kennedy.

At WrestleMania, Matt Hardy set up Sharmell for a Twist of Fate during the Money in the Bank match with the briefcase in 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 of SmackDown!, 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 attacked The Undertaker but was Tombstoned on an announce table. It was announced that King Booker would be out of action with a sprain and strained contusion of the neck and would also be treated for his previous injuries of chronic knee pain from a meniscus tear and a chronic elbow strain and sprain.

On the June 11 edition of RAW, Booker (along with Sharmell) was drafted from SmackDown! to RAW as part of the WWE Draft. On the June 18 edition of RAW, Booker won his re-debut teaming up with Randy Orton to defeat Bobby Lashley and John Cena.

On July 16, King Booker came to the ring using Triple H's theme music "The King of Kings", even using his video. King Booker then declared that neither Triple H nor Jerry Lawler could be known as The King. Booker then began a feud with Lawler, defeating him on the August 6 edition of RAW 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 at SummerSlam. 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.

King Booker has supposedly left the WWE due to the fact that he was involved in an illegal steroid company. He was originally going to serve a 60-day suspension but he chose not to come back at all. The WWE is currently trying to negotiate some sort of deal with King Booker but for the moment, they are treating it as if he is not coming back.

In wrestling

  • Finishing and signature moves
  • Managers
  • Nicknames
  • The Iron Man of WCW
  • The 5-Time, 5-Time, 5-Time, 5-Time, 5-Time WCW Champion
  • The Master of the Spin-A-Roonie
  • King of the World - As King Booker
  • The Champion of Champions - As King Booker
  • King and Ruler of the RAW/Smackdown Kingdom - As King Booker
  • The Booker Man
  • Sign
  • Thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers down, pinky up (As a sign of royalty, simultaneously showing his sixth title reign) (As King Booker)
  • Stares at his hand with all five fingers out and spread apart (To make reference to him holding the WCW World Heavyweight Championship belt on five different occasions) (As Booker T)

Championships and accomplishments

King Booker as World Heavyweight Champion, with his wife Sharmell.
  • Las Vegas Pro Wrestling
  • LVPW UWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
  • PWI Tag Team of the Year award in 1995 - with Stevie Ray[82]
  • PWI Tag Team of the Year award in 1996 - with Stevie Ray
  • PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year award in 1998[83]
  • PWI ranked him # 7 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in the 1998.[84]
  • PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year award in 2000[85]
  • PWI ranked him # 5 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2001.[86]
  • PWI ranked him # 14 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2002.[87]
  • PWI ranked him # 7 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2003.
  • PWI ranked him # 133 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the "PWI Years" in 2003[88]
  • PWI ranked him # 62 of the 100 best tag teams of the "PWI Years" with Stevie Ray in 2003.[89]
  • PWI ranked him # 24 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2004.[90]
  • PWI ranked him # 20 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2005.[91]
  • PWI ranked him # 19 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2006.[92]
  • Most Underrated Wrestler award in 2002

1Booker's fifth WCW World Heavyweight Championship reign occurred after the WWF's purchase of WCW and during the WCW Invasion Angle storyline.
2Booker's eleventh WCW World Tag Team Championship reign occurred after the WWF's purchase of WCW and during the WCW Invasion Angle storyline.

Other media

Booker has appeared in commercials for 1-800-COLLECT and Swanson Hungry Man TV dinners.

In 2000, Huffman appeared in the film Ready to Rumble as himself. Booker has appeared in an episode of Charmed, called "Wrestling With Demons" alongside Buff Bagwell and Scott Steiner.

In 2001, along with several other WWF superstars, Booker competed on an episode of the Weakest Link, being eliminated second from the show.

On April 21, 2007, Booker began hosting a radio show entitled Tea Time with King Booker on KBME 790 AM in Houston.[93]

In mid-August, he and his wife filmed an episode of The Family Feud with Batista, Candice Michelle, John Cena, Mr. Kennedy, Layla El, Maria, Michelle McCool, and Montel Vontavious Porter. It's scheduled to air in November.[94]

Personal life

Huffman was the youngest of eight children, in Houston's tough South Park. By the time Booker was 14, both of his parents had died. His brother Lane "Stevie Ray" Huffman stepped in to raise him and his siblings. Instead of playing sports in high school, Booker T was a drum major.[95]

He got the scar on his shoulder in a motorcycle accident back in 1987.[96]

While working at a Wendy's, he was arrested and convicted for the armed robbery of several restaurants in the chain and served 19 months in prison.[97]

Booker is a former amateur boxing competitor. He was able to show some of his boxing skills in a commercial for 1-800-COLLECT.

He and brother Lane Huffman have also opened up a wrestling school in Houston.

Booker presented his then wife, Levestia, to the WCW Monday Nitro crowd the night after his WCW Championship title win at WCW Bash at the Beach 2000. She was also used to further the feud between himself and Jeff Jarrett when Jarrett hit her in the head with a guitar. They divorced in October 2001.

Booker has a son from his first marriage, Brandon, with whom he has a strained relationship due to his time spent on the road.[98]

Booker would go on to marry former Nitro Girl, and Miss Black America, Sharmell Sullivan in March 2005. Booker T, who was planning to retire in early 2005 due to a travel schedule keeping him away from his home life, credited much of his new found success in 2006 to his second wife who would join him on-screen and on the road.[99]

On September 9, 2007, the Wrestling observer's Dave Meltzer mentioned in his newsletter that Booker T had quit WWE as a result of his 60-day suspension, among other reasons.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Bio at IMDb
  2. ^ Bio at OWW
  3. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 139.
  4. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 142.
  5. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 144.
  6. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 144.
  7. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 147.
  8. ^ Martin, Finn (1998-07-21). "Power Slam Magazine, issue 49". "Down and Out" (Great American Bash 1998). SW Publishing. pp. 19–21. He then connected with a Harlem sidekick and polished Benoit off with a missle dropkick to win the series, by pinfall, four matches to three
  9. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. pp. 149–150.
  10. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 150.
  11. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 150.
  12. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 150.
  13. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 151.
  14. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 151.
  15. ^ Power Slam Staff (2000-03-22). "Power Slam Magazine, issue 69". "Heroes of Wrestling 2" (Superbrawl 2000). SW Publishing. pp. 23–25.
  16. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 152.
  17. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. pp. 152–153.
  18. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 153.
  19. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 153.
  20. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 153.
  21. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 154.
  22. ^ Booker T vs Scott Steiner title vs title match on the final Monday Nitro
  23. ^ Most decorated WCW Champ
  24. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 108.
  25. ^ "RAW Results July 2, 2001". Online World of Wrestling.
  26. ^ "Invasion 2001 Results". Online World of Wrestling.
  27. ^ "SmackDown! Results July 26, 2001". Online World of Wrestling.
  28. ^ "RAW Results July 30, 2001". Online World of Wrestling.
  29. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. pp. 108–109.
  30. ^ "SmackDown! Results September 27, 2001". Online World of Wrestling.
  31. ^ "SmackDown! Results November 1, 2001". Online World of Wrestling.
  32. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 109.
  33. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. pp. 109–110.
  34. ^ "SmackDown! Results December 13, 2001". Online World of Wrestling.
  35. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 110.
  36. ^ "RAW Results March 25, 2002". Online World of Wrestling.
  37. ^ "RAW Results May 13". Online World of Wrestling.
  38. ^ "RAW Results June 10, 2002". Online World of Wrestling.
  39. ^ "RAW Results August 12, 2002". Online World of Wrestling.
  40. ^ a b PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 111.
  41. ^ a b PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 112.
  42. ^ "RAW Results January 6, 2003". Online World of Wrestling.
  43. ^ "RAW Results February 3, 2003". Online World of Wrestling.
  44. ^ "RAW Results February 24, 2003". Online World of Wrestling.
  45. ^ "RAW Results March 3, 2003". Online World of Wrestling.
  46. ^ "RAW Results March 10, 2003". Online World of Wrestling.
  47. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. pp. 112–113.
  48. ^ a b PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 113.
  49. ^ "RAW Results July 7, 2003". Online World of Wrestling.
  50. ^ "RAW Live Event Results August 10, 2003". Online World of Wrestling.
  51. ^ "RAW Results October 20, 2003". Online World of Wrestling.
  52. ^ a b PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 114.
  53. ^ "RAW Results February 16, 2004 Results". Online World of Wrestling.
  54. ^ a b PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 115.
  55. ^ "RAW Results March 22, 2004". Online World of Wrestling.
  56. ^ "SmackDown! Results March 25, 2004". Online World of Wrestling.
  57. ^ "SmackDown! Results April 8, 2004". Online World of Wrestling.
  58. ^ "SmackDown! Results April 22, 2004". Online World of Wrestling.
  59. ^ "SmackDown! Results May 6, 2004". Online World of Wrestling.
  60. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. pp. 115–116.
  61. ^ "SmackDown! Results July 8, 2004". Online World of Wrestling.
  62. ^ "SmackDown! Results July 29, 2004". Online World of Wrestling.
  63. ^ a b PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. p. 116.
  64. ^ "SmackDown! Results August 26, 2004". Online World of Wrestling.
  65. ^ "SmackDown! Live Event Results August 27, 2004". Online World of Wrestling.
  66. ^ "SmackDown! September 16, 2004 Results". Online World of Wrestling.
  67. ^ "SmackDown! Results October 21, 2004". Online World of Wrestling.
  68. ^ PWI Staff (2007). "Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts". "Wrestling’s historical cards". Kappa Publishing. pp. 116–117.
  69. ^ "SmackDown! Results November 18, 2004". Online World of Wrestling.
  70. ^ Martin, Finn (2005-01-21). "Power Slam Magazine, issue 127". WWE Armageddon (2004). SW Publishing. p. 24.
  71. ^ http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmtmh/is_200611/ai_n16967291
  72. ^ GWF Tag Team titles history At wrestling-titles.com
  73. ^ NWA/WCW United States Heavyweight title history At wrestling-titles.com
  74. ^ WCW World Heavyweight title history At wrestling-titles.com
  75. ^ WCW World Tag Team titles history At wrestling-titles.com
  76. ^ NWA/WCW World Television title history At wrestling-titles.com
  77. ^ WWWF/WWF/WWE Intercontinental Heavyweight title history At wrestling-titles.com
  78. ^ WWWF/WWE United States title history At wrestling-titles.com
  79. ^ WWF/WWE Hardcore title history At wrestling-titles.com
  80. ^ (WWWF/WWF/WWE RAW) World Tag Team titles history At wrestling-titles.com
  81. ^ (WWE Smackdown!) World Heavyweight title history At wrestling-titles.com
  82. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Tag of The Year
  83. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Most Improved Wrestler of the Year
  84. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 1998
  85. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year
  86. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2001
  87. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2002
  88. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 500 Wrestlers of the PWI Years
  89. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 100 Tag Teams of the PWI Years
  90. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2004
  91. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2005
  92. ^ Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2006
  93. ^ Hunt, Jen (2007-04-19). "King Booker rules the airwaves". Retrieved 2007-04-20. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  94. ^ Medalis, Kara A. "Diva Dish: FHM goes Extreme". WWE.com. Retrieved 2007-08-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  95. ^ findarticle.com
  96. ^ wrestling-caricatures.com
  97. ^ thesmokinggun.com
  98. ^ Stated in the March 2002 issue of WWE RAW Magazine and in the book WWE Unscripted.
  99. ^ Lennon, P. "Why i love to be King" Daily Star (Friday, August 25, 2006), page 56
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