Latest news with #BookerT
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Booker T's coming for you in 'WWE LFG' season 2
It's a pretty good time to be Booker T. At WrestleMania 41, Jey Uso became the first alumnus of his wrestling school, Reality of Wrestling, to win a WWE World Championship. His prized protege Roxanne Perez has graduated from NXT with the highest marks, and is now a full-fledged title contender on the main roster "WWE Raw" brand. But the newest trophy on Booker's mantle is a bit different: He's one of the inaugural winning coaches of "WWE LFG," the company's newest reality competition through A&E TV. While he's put 20 years into training the fanatical fighters of the future, he sees value in the new rapid-fire, sink-or-swim endeavor — and he's ready to go even harder for his crew in season two. Advertisement 'I mean, I'm a pretty good coach' Booker half jokes, breaking down what took him to the podium on the show's first go-round. Abbreviated from 'Legends and Future Greats,' the first season of "LFG" paired 17 of WWE's Performance Center athletes with some of its most decorated pugilists of the past. Broken down over 15 episodes, the competitors were given an array of tasks, both physical and creative, and asked to showcase what they picked up through strategically assigned matches, with eliminations happening through their respective coaches for the first three rounds. Then, the final eight were chosen after their performances via panel vote until there was one — or in this season's case, two — winners. In some ways, it's akin to the earliest versions of NXT, but you won't see longtime veterans like Bryan Danielson or Low-Ki in the mix. Fellow WWE Hall of Famers The Undertaker and Bubba Ray Dudley joined Booker as coaches, as did multi-time women's world champion Mickie James, to impart knowledge from their different corners of the wrestling world. Current stars like Gunther, AJ Styles and CM Punk made cameos during training sessions and matches to offer outside looks at the talents who hope to eventually earn a spot in their locker rooms. Advertisement 'We all do it differently. We all speak different languages," Booker says. "But at the end of the day, it all works out because we are all world-class caliber talent. "I think that's what's really cool about the dynamic of the four coaches, is we all teach the same thing, but we all do it differently. But at the end of the day, you're going to get to your goal. I always tell my students, 'Put an asterisk by everything I say because it's the way I think.'' Everyone's approach is a bit different. The Undertaker exudes that kind of even-keeled, proud poppa approach that earns you a moniker like 'The Conscience of WWE.' Bubba Ray leans heavier into 'earning it' tough love than the rest of group, infamously refusing to shake contestant BJ Ray's hand upon his introduction. James, who entered WWE at a time when personalities in the women's division were … less than fleshed out ... seems really focused on helping talent find their 'why,' emphasizing the need to develop and showcase your personality between moves and steps. Booker, who had the toughest path to wrestling superstardom out of the four, seems to have the biggest emphasis on urgency, knowing that one thing you can't teach — but absolutely can harness — is the desire to go and get yours. Advertisement He's shown his desire to stand out from his peers his entire career, and still shows flashes of it throughout the show, with his not-so-subtle frustrations in trying to make sure his voice is heard. '[My mentality was always] it was only one meal on the table," he says. "There's 10 people in the room. Who's going to get it? "I asked a lot of my guys that I work with … 'You ever been in a real fight?' If they say no, they got to go get in a rolling class. They can't even train with the other guy. They got to go start over here.' Booker's pupil and eventual winner didn't have to step away. Jasper Troy, from the appropriately named Huffman, Texas, was a NCAA D-I offensive lineman for four years with the University of Kansas and University of Northern Iowa, so the majority of his formative years were spent battling for space with monsters at close quarters. With his fire, and Booker's direction, he was able to secure victory. 'And that's what I saw in Jasper Troy from Day 1 in season one, over everybody in that thing," Booker says. "[I think] he would have been a close runner-up if he wouldn't have been under my expert tutelage. [Fellow collegiate lineman] Anthony Luke probably would have won. I'm just saying.' Booker T imparts some old-school wisdom to the up-and-coming talent on "WWE LFG." (Photo via WWE/A&E) Perhaps the most interesting part of the series is the push for the competitors to come up with things on the fly. You've heard WWE stories about last-minute name changes, adjustments to finishes, or promos thrown out to better fit the story that have to be relearned right away. With all of the participants almost exclusively having started their professional careers in the WWE system, they don't have the years of independent or promotional experience to have a tried and true persona or moveset that just needs tweaking. So watching the odd couple of Eric Bischoff and Sean Waltman ask them to come up with a faction, or AJ Styles challenge them to come up with a moniker and perform like it in a match, is a testament to how long it takes to not only learn how to wrestle, but to learn how to harness the emotions of the business as well. Advertisement While it seems like an insane amount of pressure, Booker thinks that the kind of mini-mester format "LFG" provides could even benefit some in NXT, where they're getting the same information but in a slightly different package. 'One thing about it, the NXT talent is trained a certain way, and then to be able to get outside of the box and get under somebody else's training, you're going to see it," he says. "They may be telling you the same exact thing, but they may tell it to you totally different. And then you might go, 'Oh man, I've been hearing the same thing.' They'll understand it totally different. "I think they would benefit from it tremendously.' While Booker's student secured an NXT contract by winning, Undertaker was voted the season's overall winner, by virtue of coaching the other winner, Tyra Mae Steele, and for having the most students advance throughout the competition. The man who went from tag-team specialist to World Television Champion, United States Champion then World Champion was never satisfied by what he'd already done. So while Booker is eating right now, he's still dedicated to getting a bigger piece of the pie in season two. "I'm taking the gloves off, I could tell you that," he says. "Because season one, I was robbed. Everybody saw it. Advertisement "For me, I'm taking the gloves off by any means necessary. Like Ernie Ladd said way back in '78, I'm going to have to just step on some toes and step on some toes and keep on walking, Jack. For me, season two, like I say, the gloves off for me.' He's proven to have a winning formula when it comes to preparation and production, so with even more motivation to win, there's a Legend ready to battle it out for the next Future Great to see them succeed.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Booker T Makes Bold Prediction Regarding R-Truth's WWE Return
Booker T believes WWE could go all in with R-Truth (Ron Killings) in the coming months. On the latest episode of The Hall of Fame Podcast, NXT commentator Booker T spoke about WWE bringing back R-Truth, who is now going by the name Ron Killings. Booker predicts the company could make a big move by making him the World Heavyweight Champion. Advertisement 'You know what I see? I see Ron Killings winning the World Heavyweight Championship,' Booker T said. 'How crazy would that be? You know what? It would shake up the whole world. It'll be the biggest thing since, you know, perhaps putting the title on Mick Foley, WCW, that night, you know, when everybody changed the channels to watch Mick Foley win… It could be unbelievable.' [H/T: There is a mystery spot in next week's Men's King of the Ring match on RAW. While WWE could put Truth in that spot, it's probably not the most likely choice. READ MORE: Ron Killings Confirms Report That Nick Khan Brought Him Back To WWE What do you make of Booker T's comments? Do you think WWE should put the World Heavyweight Championship on Ron Killings? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below. The post Booker T Makes Bold Prediction Regarding R-Truth's WWE Return appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WWE Hall Of Famer Believes Evolution 2 Should Be A Two-Night Event
This past Monday Night on Raw, WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella made her return to WWE. During her promo, she put over the return of the All Women's Premium Live Event, Evolution. This will be the second edition of the PLE. A WWE Hall of Famer recently mentioned that he believes that the Evolution 2 Premium Live Event should be a two-night event, and for good reason. Advertisement The above-mentioned WWE Hall of Famer is none other than Booker T. During the latest episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, he shared that since the women's rosters on Raw, SmackDown, and NXT are stacked, it makes perfect sense for the event to take place for two nights. 'It might have to be a two-night event because we got that much talent, the roster's stacked. I mean, it's got to be at least 20 matches,' Booker T said. 'I'm loving it, you know. I mean, like you said, we've been asking for this for a long time. I think the ladies deserve this.' [H/T He also mentioned that having an all-women's Premium Live Event does not mean that the guys are not as important. He sees this as an opportunity for WWE to show how strong it's women's division is. Advertisement 'I don't think it's taken away from the shine from the guys to let the ladies go out there and have that one night only,' he stated. 'I think it's only fitting for the talent that we have on that roster, just to show how big the women's division really is, from a star power perspective, as far as you know, how they could go out there and draw the house just like everybody else… It's not a contest between Raw and SmackDown, it's a contest between the men and women.' Do you agree with Booker T? Read More: Booker T Makes Bold Prediction Regarding R-Truth's WWE Return The post WWE Hall Of Famer Believes Evolution 2 Should Be A Two-Night Event appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Booker T Gets Caught Sleeping During WWE Programming Again
It's going to be very difficult for Booker T to escape these sleeping allegations. Last month, Booker T was caught sleeping during the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. While Booker would later deny these allegations on his podcast, he's been caught sleeping on WWE programming once again, this time at the broadcast booth for NXT. Advertisement A member of the WWE Universe caught Booker T sleeping last night during the in-ring segment between Oba Femi and Myles Borne. You can check out the embedded image below: Booker T's role on commentary for NXT The WWE Hall of Famer recently spoke to Denise Salcedo about his antics on commentary and discussed his reaction to NXT Women's Champion Stephanie Vaquer's move, The Devil's Kiss. 'I think she liked it,' Booker said. 'Because when she started doing it, she would point at me. And so, like, let's get ready to have some fun. So, I… A lot of people, they look at it and they go, 'Booker T just tried to steal the shine.' Advertisement 'But I tell you, like I said when I was a young wrestler coming up, the Spinarooni would not be the Spinarooni if it wasn't for a guy by the name of Mark Madden going crazy when I did the Spinarooni, and then it became a household name. So, for me, I'm trying to do the same thing for these young guys and these young girls coming up right now.' READ MORE: Booker T Hilariously Compares WWE LFG To Other Popular TV Shows What do you make of Booker T falling asleep during WWE NXT last night? Are you a fan of his commentary? Let us know your overall thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below. The post Booker T Gets Caught Sleeping During WWE Programming Again appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Booker T Reveals The Crowning Moment Of His Career: I Wouldn't Change It For Anything
Booker T has very fond memories of his run as 'King Bookah' in WWE. The King Booker character was created after Booker won the 2006 King Of The Ring tournament. The gimmick was comedic in tone, but Booker ultimately pulled off what he calls his 'crowning moment' in WWE during this run. Advertisement Booker appeared on the Club 520 Podcast at WWE World and mentioned being very popular around the time of his match at WrestleMania 19 against Triple H. He mentioned being even more over as King Bookah a few years later and highlighted how much winning a World Championship under the WWE banner meant to him. Booker T believes his King Booker run outshined WrestleMania 19 'At WrestleMania 19 against Hunter [Triple H], you said I was over. I should have won. Sh*t… in 2006, I was way more over then, bro. King Booker, King Booker—I mean, come on, I mean the greatest king of them all, the most revered king of them all. You know what, man, that was some of the best times, the best time in my wrestling career, with my lovely queen, Sharmell, at my side. She actually won Miss Black America in Indianapolis, Indiana, as well. That was a moment for us, man. Rey Mysterio, I give him big props, man, because what a worker. What a worker, man. I couldn't have done it without him. But that moment, that was my crowning moment. 'That was the moment for me that really put the icing on the cake as far as my career goes. You know, I don't know if you guys know the stats or anything like that, but out of the history and the annals of time, as far as the King of the Ring tournament, I'm the only king to ever win the [WWE] Heavyweight Championship. I'm the only one. And that wasn't by accident or anything like that; that was by design. I said after King Booker, they're gonna have to break the damn mold because there'll never be another King like me ever again. And I proved that. I proved that. So, no, man, it was a great time in my career. I wouldn't change it for anything.' Advertisement Read More: Booker T Reveals Which Of His WrestleMania Moments Will Never Be Topped The post Booker T Reveals The Crowning Moment Of His Career: I Wouldn't Change It For Anything appeared first on Wrestlezone.
