Booker T Reveals Why He Regretted His 1996 Match With The Road Warriors

BY SACNILK

Booker T had already begun making a name for himself in WCW by 1996, especially alongside his brother Stevie Ray as Harlem Heat. But one match from that period still leaves him with mixed feelings — his Uncensored bout against The Road Warriors. Booker joined WCW in the early 1990s and eventually became one of the company's most successful stars. His partnership with Stevie Ray turned Harlem Heat into one of WCW's most decorated tag teams, while Booker later established himself as a singles wrestler and went on to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. By 1996, however, Booker was still building that singles identity while continuing to work closely with his brother. At WCW Uncensored 1996, Booker T teamed with Sting to face The Road Warriors — Hawk and Animal — in a Chicago Street Fight. The match featured the kind of chaotic action expected from a Chicago Street Fight, with the teams taking their fight outside the traditional rules of a wrestling match. Booker even recalled performing a Spinaroonie after hitting a missile elbow drop before leaving the match and eventually returning. Booker discussed the match while looking back at his WCW career on The Hall of Fame podcast. Booker admitted that, despite the match being a memorable night, he has never viewed it as something he was particularly happy about. “It was kind of bittersweet. It was kind of bittersweet pay-per-view for me, honestly, because I was working against the Road Warriors. It was me and Sting.” Booker explained that he believed he should have been in that spot with Stevie Ray. “It should have been me and my brother. It never should have been me and Sting doing that, you know. So, it was one of those moments to where, you know, I went out and did the work, got the work done because, you know, that's what I do. But, you know, it wasn't one of those things to where I was like, ‘Ah, man. This is like really, really so awesome.’” He said he and Stevie Ray had worked against Hawk and Animal before, but never received the kind of tag-team match they wanted. “I just always regretted, you know, that match because it was against the Road Warriors and I know me and my brother, we always wanted to beat all the old tag teams that came before us.” Booker continued: “The Road Warriors, we had tag matches with those guys, but nothing significant. And then I find myself on a pay-per-view against the Road Warriors, which just didn't make a lot of sense.” Looking back, Booker isn't saying the match itself was a disaster. His frustration comes from the missed opportunity. He wanted Harlem Heat to have that moment. Instead, WCW put him alongside Sting, leaving Booker to wonder what could have happened if he and Stevie Ray had been given the chance to settle things with The Road Warriors together.

BY SACNILK

Booker T believes Zilla Fatu’s WWE NXT run is just the beginning. After watching Fatu make his WWE debut, the WWE Hall of Famer had some advice for the young star: use NXT to prepare yourself, because there is a much bigger road ahead. Fatu recently made his WWE debut on NXT, immediately making his presence felt and putting the roster on notice. The appearance marked another step in the career of the son of late WWE star Umaga, who previously trained under Booker T at Reality of Wrestling. Booker was clearly proud while discussing Fatu’s arrival on The Hall of Fame podcast. He compared NXT to a NASCAR pit stop and told Fatu that this is the time to get everything ready before making his next move. “NXT, this just a pit stop. But you got to take full advantage of that pit stop. You got to fill the tank up. You got to check the tires and make sure everything’s rotated properly, and then you hit the track running real hard. So I just want to let you know about the pit stop, man.” Booker then made it clear that he was not simply talking about Fatu’s wrestling ability. He believes the young star has already shown the mentality needed to reach the next level. “I’m so damn proud of you for going out there and putting in that work. I’m really, really proud of you for going out there and putting in that work. I know people, they done seen me and you do our thing, but this real talk, man. This real talk. I’m so damn proud of you.” The relationship between Booker and Fatu goes back well before WWE. Fatu trained at Reality of Wrestling, Booker’s wrestling school and promotion in Houston, where the Hall of Famer pushed him hard because he saw something familiar in him. Booker explained that he was particularly tough on Fatu because he could see his own younger self in him. “I don’t think I was harder on anybody that has ever come through Reality Wrestling than I was on this kid. I literally rolled him, because I could see myself, you know what I mean? I could see myself.” Booker also opened up about why he felt Fatu needed that kind of guidance. He remembered being rebellious when he was younger and said he understood what it was like to have potential but still need someone to push you in the right direction. For Fatu, the WWE debut also carried an emotional connection to his father, Umaga. Speaking about the moments before entering the ring, Fatu said he said a quick prayer and felt that his father was there with him. “And your dad right now, man. Your dad right now is looking down on you like so freaking happy. I can see the smile on his face, man. I really can. So, congratulations. And let’s get ready for the takeover.”

BY SACNILK

Roman Reigns has once again become the subject of debate among wrestling fans, this time after Conrad Thompson described the former Undisputed WWE Champion as “probably the most overrated main event in WWE history.” Booker T, however, strongly disagrees with that assessment. During a recent episode of the Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T addressed Thompson’s comments and made it clear that he believes Reigns deserves far more credit for what he has accomplished at the top of WWE. “I mean, it’s like, you know, a mountain compared to a molehill. That’s how big of a, you know, a stretch this comment is as far as Roman Reigns,” Booker T said. The two-time WWE Hall of Famer then delivered his strongest endorsement of Reigns, explaining why he considers the former Tribal Chief the best wrestler in the world at this stage of his career. “Roman Reigns, I’ve said it once. I’ve said it a thousand times. Right now, at this stage of the game, Roman Reigns is the best damn wrestler in the world,” Booker T stated. Booker T argued that Reigns’ record in major matches speaks for itself. According to him, Reigns has repeatedly produced strong performances against different opponents, while also helping elevate the talent around him. “I know if a guy can make it in this business. If he get in my ring, I know if he’s going to have a chance at making it,” Booker explained. “And when I watch a guy like Roman, who’s had nothing but flawless matches with every guy that has stepped in the ring with him on the biggest stages there have been.” Booker also pointed toward Reigns’ ability to bring out the best in his opponents, insisting that the evidence can be found by simply going back and watching his matches. “Go pull them up. That’s all you got to do. The proof is in the pudding. All you got to do is the video. The video don’t lie,” Booker said. He went even further, claiming that Reigns has consistently helped his opponents deliver some of their best performances. “Every guy that has been in the ring with Roman Reigns, they’ve had their best match. Every one of them. Every guy that get in the ring with Roman, that’s the best match they’re going to have the year. All right. And that’s just fact,” Booker added. Brad Gilmore, Booker’s co-host, also pushed back against Thompson’s assessment. He pointed to Reigns’ WrestleMania matches against CM Punk and Cody Rhodes, as well as his recent clash with Seth Rollins, as examples of the level Reigns has consistently reached. Booker T then questioned who could realistically replace Reigns as WWE’s leading attraction. “I would love to know who would he put in Roman Reigns’ spot. That’s what I would want. Who do you put in Roman Reigns’ spot that’s going to go out there and carry that?” Booker asked. The WWE Hall of Famer also highlighted the enormous responsibility that comes with being positioned as a company’s top star. In his view, Reigns has demonstrated that WWE can trust him to perform when the pressure is highest. “The company do not put you in that spot unless they trust you to be able to do that,” Booker explained. “What I mean by being able to trust you is trust you to make every big event, trust you to be able to, you know, strap it up when you’re really not, you know, 100%.” Booker ultimately described Reigns as the complete package, pointing to his wrestling ability, storytelling, presence and star power. “If I had to draw up what the prototypical superstar will look like, it’d be Roman Reigns,” Booker T said. He later doubled down on his assessment, stating that Reigns’ years at the top and the pressure he has handled inside and outside the ring have been extraordinary. “This dude Roman Reigns is truly the real deal,” Booker said. “What he’s done over his time at the top, at that top level, with the pressure that he’s had inside and out of the ring, has been extraordinary. It really has been.” Booker T’s comments come as the debate surrounding Roman Reigns’ place among WWE’s all-time greats continues. While Conrad Thompson remains firm in his criticism, Booker clearly believes Reigns has already done enough to prove himself as one of the defining stars of his generation.

BY SACNILK

Booker T recently sparked headlines with comments suggesting tension between him and CM Punk. However, the WWE Hall of Famer has clarified that his words were meant for entertainment purposes only, and he considers Punk a friend. ## On his podcast, Booker T acknowledged the stir his comments caused and assured listeners there's no animosity towards Punk. He emphasized that his remarks were intended to be lighthearted and part of the show's entertainment.## "Look, me and CM Punk, we won't be having a fight, okay?" Booker T stated. "Contrary to popular belief, I consider CM Punk a friend, alright?" ## He further advised fans not to take his comments on the show literally and to avoid getting caught up in online speculation. ## "So if you hear me say something about CM Punk, Corey Graves, Michael Cole, Brad (co-host), don't jump into any internet mess, alright?" Booker T said. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Stamford, December 3 - Booker T believes Tony Khan, the CEO of AEW, is not worried about how much money he is spending on acquiring top talent. He believes that signing big names like Ronda Rousey is a notch on the belt and will bring more fans to the company. ## Rousey, who had previously retired from wrestling, is a smart businesswoman and will likely sign a contract that only requires her to work a few days a year. She understands that she can now pick and choose when she wants to work, and AEW is the perfect place for her to do that. ## While speaking on the latest episode of the Hall of Fame Podcast with wrestling legends Booker T and Brad Gilmore, Booker T made the following comment. ## "Tony Khan, he's not he's not worried about how much money he's spending, I really don't think so. I don't think Tony Khan is really concerned about how much money he's spending on getting these guys under that banner - I think he's I think he more so is happy you know having those guys around and seeing those guys as a part of AEW oh man that right there is a that's a that's a notch on the belt right there have you know snatching someone like Ronda Rousey from [WWE] just being able to say that come on yes -- if Rond Rousey uh is smart she'll sign a contract too and make sure the contract is only for 10 days a year." ## However, this should be noted that Ronda Rousey has clarified that she has no intentions of joining AEW, as indicated by the former UFC superstar herself. During an encounter with TMZ Sports in Los Angeles, the 36-year-old athlete addressed the speculations surrounding her potential move to All Elite Wrestling. ## When asked about the rumors of her signing with AEW, Rousey firmly stated, "No, no, I don't think so." She went on to emphasize that her current focus is on motherhood rather than engaging in wrestling matches inside the squared circle. This declaration from Rousey dismisses any notions of her immediate return to professional wrestling and provides insight into her current priorities. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Stamford, December 3 - After his unexpected comeback to WWE at Survivor Series last weekend, CM Punk made a return to Monday Night RAW on November 27th. ## In the main event segment of the show, Punk delivered a promo in the ring, declaring that he had found his home and undergone a transformation. Concluding the show, he addressed the camera, emphasizing that his return was driven by financial goals rather than forming new friendships.## Booker T, a WWE Hall of Famer and current NXT announcer, recently shared his thoughts on Punk's return promo during an episode of his Hall Of Fame podcast. He expressed his belief that the promo was sincere, shedding light on why Punk might feel that way upon his return to WWE.## "I said [his return promo in AEW] wasn’t the best promo I ever saw, it could have had more substance to it, and a lot of people gave me backlash because I said that, because I didn’t say ‘it was the greatest promo in the world. ## It was a pipebomb!’ In this promo on Monday night, it was a heartfelt promo, that’s what I think. At points in time, CM Punk got caught in the moment a little bit, he almost got choked up a little bit." ## Concerning his upcoming agenda, CM Punk is reportedly in discussions to vie for the World Heavyweight Championship against Seth Rollins at WWE Royal Rumble. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Booker T astutely predicts that one of WWE's esteemed luminaries will relinquish the world of professional wrestling within the next five years. ## Charlotte Flair, a luminous luminary who ascended rapidly within the company's ranks, soared as one of NXT's illustrious 'Four Horsewomen,' alongside the remarkable Becky Lynch, the talented Bayley, and the incomparable Sasha Banks, now known as NJPW's distinguished Mercedes Mone. ## These formidable women spearheaded the monumental Women's Revolution within the company upon their transition to the main roster in 2015. Amongst this quartet, Flair undeniably etched her name upon the annals of triumph, securing the Raw and SmackDown Women's Championships a staggering total of 14 times. ## Furthermore, she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Lynch and Ronda Rousey, breaking down barriers and blazing trails as the pioneering women who headlined the grandeur of WrestleMania's 35th iteration. During a recent episode of his esteemed Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T engaged in a profound discussion regarding Flair's triumphs, alluding to her unswerving cognizance of being the irrefutable focal point of the spectacle. ## “She’s the star of the show. She knows it. Everybody else knows it. Fall in line. It’s the best thing going today. You don’t have to like it, but you better learn to love it … It’s only fitting.” ## “She’s the best at what she does, man. Wrestling is literally going to be something in her rearview mirror in the next five years, just because there’s so much more out there for her right now. And I think she knows that, too. I think she wants more. ## “This wrestling thing for Charlotte Flair has been a pit stop [or] a bump in the road. She got the world in the palm of her hand. She could do whatever she wants.” ## To stay updated with all the latest combat sports news, add Sacnilk.com to your Google News feeds and follow us on Twitter.