Booker T claims he is done wrestling.
Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T appeared in the 2023 men’s Royal Rumble match as a surprise entrant. He came out at number 21 and only last 42 seconds before being tossed out by Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER. Following the appearance, the 57-year-old stated on his Hall of Fame podcast that the Rumble match was the last time people will see him step in the ring as a competitor.
“I’m going to tell you right now, I think that’s the last time people are going to see me in the ring all together. In Reality of Wrestling, I’m going to work with my students. But as far as putting my boots on again, that was the last time,” Booker T said while getting emotional. “It’s kind of sad. I’m kind of choked up about it a little bit.”
When his co-host Brad Gilmore brought up how a lot of wrestlers say they’re retired but end up coming back, Booker T reiterated he’s done. “Nah man, I think that’s it,” he said. “I really do. I think that’s my last time putting the boots on and getting back in the ring for that kind of level. That’s the last time I think I really want to do it, too, at that level. I want to thank all the fans for that moment.”
Booker T hasn’t regularly competed since his last run with WWE in 2012. Since then, he’s only competed in five matches, with most of them being for his Reality of Wrestling promotion. The five-time world champion returned to WWE in October to serve as a color commentator for NXT.
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