Booker T Leaving TNA 4 WWE?

[nWo 4 Life]

Wow..I never would've thought Book was a big egomaniac, especially as much as a he claimed HHH is. Take a look in the mirror Book..you are him! Wtf is so bad about putting over Matt morgan over on t.v.? Are you kidding me?! Morgan is very over with the TNA fans, just signed a 5yr extension so it is APPARENT he he is and needs to be groomed for main event status.
I just don't see the damage to losing to Matt would do to Booker T.
Can anyone tell me? Hell, Book hasn't even had a sniff of the world title yet in TNA, but acts as if he clutching to some "spot". Please! Book you're still a good talent man, but this time I say you are wrong on this one and threatening or saying you are going to WWE in November out loud is just ghetto and stupid..
Well let's see..Vince will put you in ECW like he did Christian and you 2 can trade off ruling the minor leagues of the WWE! All hail..or is it aw hell, King Bookahhhh!

[kaos]

I dont believe everything I read on the net, but if it is true it's pretty sad. For me it isn't so much the fact that Booker won't put certain people, but more his ego (if he does have one). He used to be one of my fav wrestlers growing up, and as people said, he was in a promotion where the same exact thing was happening. I also don't see what's wrong with putting someone over if you've been made a star already and you have enough money to live a good life.

It's just weird how the wrestlers who aren't as well off in terms of having title shots, being on tv etc will actually go out their way to help make another wrestler look good, yet when it comes to the big names, they feel as if they're on such a level that if they do do it, it's gonna make them look weak. A loss over Morgan would NOT hurt Booker in any way. If we put this in a real life situation, Morgan is alot younger, stronger and bigger than Book. Realistically speaking, Morgan would've went over him if the sport was real.

[Brooklyn]

I'm with you both. Booker T is my favorite wrestler and has been for a looooooooooooong time.Ebony Experience was my team in the old GWF promotion. My friends bought me a King Booker fig a couple years ago as a gag gift because they know I like the "sucka". I have a crappy ass wcw figure of the man as well. So you know its sad to read rumors that he's a big asshole backstage. I'm hoping its a case of just bad internet rumors. But if its not, he needs to consider the situation that he didn't like in WWE and adjust his behavior. His peak years are behind him. He needs to be giving younger guys the opportunities that he feels weren't given to him initially.

[NonStopFan Reloaded]

I totally agree with you Brooklyn....Im also a huge fan on Book too. Hell, the only reason that I used to watch the E over the past few years was because of Taker and King Book-kah....lol

Book was a beast! Harlem Heat was gold! Book's assention to the top of the food chain in WCW was gold and His best of 7 with Benoit was gold(98-99). Book has lost a step but he still has a lot more potential in TNA than guys like Nash and Steiner.

Book is past his prime, but I can see him making one last run at the top of the Main Event picture in either TNA or WWE. I can definitely see Book as a top heel in TNA at some point in 2010, but his role in WWE wouldnt be as clear. Hell, werent there rumors that he was about to be shipped to ECW at some point during his last days in the WWE?

Book as a top heel in TNA would be cool, especially if TNA phases out the Mafia and gives Angle his walking papers. I think its important for TNA and Book to get their shit straight because they both could help each other. Book definitely has a reputation in the industry that could help guys like AJ, Hernandez, Morgan and Joe get over. I wouldnt mind seeing a feud with AJ and Book again or a Book and Morgan feud for the title. When it comes to Sports entertainment, Book could definitely help elevate some of the lesser talent on the roster while getting his last moment of glory.

[MissouriDragon]

I hope that Booker has just had a motivation problem in TNA (as opposed to no longer being able to go), because he has looked very half-ass lately. No beef with Booker though, the King Bookah gimmick was great.

[Phoenix Rising]

I'm hoping if he does go back to WWE, I hope he does get assigned to ECW. That way he could team with Goldust again. That would be AWESOME!

[TeamFarrell]

He and Jarratt became the exact thing they had to overcome in 2000 in WCW.

See, the thing with this business is once you get to the top, you want to stay there, and once you've been in the business a while you think you know a thing or two about what's best for business (and usually do). So, the thing that ends up happening is that your desire to stay on top overrides your knowing of a thing or two and you start to genuinely believe that what's best for business is for you to be on top.

I really don't believe that Hogan and Nash are to blame for being Hogan and Nash, the business does it to people.

For example: I've been working with a guy (who will remain nameless), another indy wrestler, for the past few months as part of a program.

Said program involves myself and three others against basically this one guy and (in a smaller way) the rest of the roster. The focus of the program is said guy and our group's "leader". The program will have a big payoff in the end for all of us, and its all become bigger than any one or two of us, and has really become the "sum of its parts" so to speak.

Now, this particular guy, to his credit, was signed to WCW in the late 90s (who wasn't?) and, while he never made it big before WCW folded, has been around quite a while. He's a bigger guy, not a great worker and a little more sloppy than I appreciate, but you can't fault a 40-year old man for being a little banged up and sloppy. As a former member of the WCW roster, and a "veteran" to some degree (although I'd never take his advice), he has reached what would be considered the "top" of independant wrestling in our territory (yes, despite what fans are lead to believe, the territory system is still in fill effect in many places, if not on the same level it once was).

Now, here's where things get similar. He refuses to bump (like I said, he's a bigger guy, I'd compare him to a Mike Knox or bigger), doesn't sell much, and most of his matches are glorified squashes. And if you have a conversation with him you quickly discover that he honestly believes that him being on top is what's best for business. Is it? I don't know, but I can tell you that the crowd pops big time for his arrival, he puts butts in seats, and several new sponsors jumped on board when he started making appearances.

Now, my point isn't that Booker is right or wrong, my point is simply that it isn't necessarily Booker T, Hulk Hogan or Kevin Nash's fault that they feel the way they do or have the attitude that they have, its systemic of the business. Its just the way things go.

10-15 years from now, don't be surprised to hear tales of CM Punk not wanting to job to so-and-so, and AJ Styles lobbying for the title.

[The Korean]

Bringing back King Booker gimmick on RAW would be somewhat fresh. Orton/Booker feud. Something new.

[BBBD]

While I love Booker's previous work, especially the Bookdust stuff, I don't think his work over the past few months really would have grabbed the WWE's attention.

If he really wanted to go back he would have to be really going for it and showing that his 40+ ass can still go.

I hope he can come to some arrangement with TNA were he gets good tv time while giving the rub to some of the younger talent.

[Irishsara]

Couldnt be that perhaps he was given some Promises by Mr. Double J and now that J is on the outs booker is more worried about his spot and his credibility because he knows he is still trying to get a job with the big dog?

Couldnt be that Booker T sees the writing on the wall with Angle leaving and the end of him being relevant and due to his age he is perhaps worried about his place in the business?

[Brooklyn]

Originally Posted by Irishsara

Couldnt be that perhaps he was given some Promises by Mr. Double J and now that J is on the outs booker is more worried about his spot and his credibility because he knows he is still trying to get a job with the big dog?

Couldnt be that Booker T sees the writing on the wall with Angle leaving and the end of him being relevant and due to his age he is perhaps worried about his place in the business?

All the more reason to not act in a way that will get you labeled as a lockerroom headache.

[Irishsara]

OR all the more reason to not let them job you out on your way out to keep your spot and your credibility with the fans.

[Smarmy]

Everyone jobs, or should job on the way out of a company, traditionally. Just ask Bret Hart. And if he is that over, and that good then a few losses to help a few guys who need putting over wont damage his credibility.

[TeamFarrell]

Originally Posted by Irishsara

OR all the more reason to not let them job you out on your way out to keep your spot and your credibility with the fans.

Any wrestler with any respect for the business does what's right and puts over the rising star on the way out.

[Phoenix Rising]

Originally Posted by TeamFarrell

Any wrestler with any respect for the business does what's right and puts over the rising star on the way out.

Look at what TNA did to Christian Cage on his way out. I think Booker has a legitimate arguement here. He doesn't want to get locked in a casket on his last night on the show.

[TeamFarrell]

What happened with Christian was completely different. At the time there were still some doubts about where he would end up. Remember, he took a while off between leaving TNA and coming to WWE. What they did to Christian was a way to get him off TV since his contract was up, while leaving a loose end just in case.

Christian was assaulted and beaten down. It makes sense for him to be off TV for a week or two, and if he goes of to WWE, he simply doesn't come back, but if he re-signs, he's instantly got a place and a reason to feud with MEM.

From what I've seen, TNA is usually pretty good to people on their way out. They have to be, they don't have the money WWE has to offer, and need to make sure the brudge isn't burnt.

Booker isn't above doing business.

[kaos]

Christian wasn't buried. Christian was written out in a good way imo. It didn't make him look weak as MEM were doing this to other people and it was more than one guy handing the beating.

[Section ( 8 )]

Well, if Booker is going to have a "final" match, it should be with Robert Roode. He's spent most of his TNA run feuding with him, from singles to tag teams.

[Rogue]

Booker would probably refuse to lose and put anybody over before he leaves.

[The Korean]

^I dont buy that. Hes been the hardest, most egoless worker in WCW along with Jarrett, and also in WWF/E. How the hell can someone like that turn in to a total bitch just by switching to another company?

[Section ( 8 )]

Well, Booker literally went from a "slave" to a "king" during his WCW to WWE career, so developing an ego could have happen.

Plus, he entered TNA when all they cared about was former WWE talent. I can only imagine that he figured he would have had a TNA Championship run by now. Instead he got a created midcard title and tag titles. Now TNA is pushing the home bred talent and if the Mafia break up, he might as well grab a broom with Kip.

Booker has to do what helps him in the long run. In terms of longevity, WWE is the best bet for him.

[King_of_Kings]

Originally Posted by The Korean

^I dont buy that. Hes been the hardest, most egoless worker in WCW along with Jarrett, and also in WWF/E. How the hell can someone like that turn in to a total bitch just by switching to another company?

First, you don't know that to be true...unless you actually spent time backstage around the guy.

Second, he went from the WWE where he wrestled, at WrestleMania 23, in front of 80,000+ people and where 15,000 people isn't an amazing number, to a company where they routinely wrestle in front of less than 1,500 and when leaving their home city have a tough time - from what I remember reading - selling out fairly small buildings. So, going on the assumption that he was "egoless" before, it's not hard to imagine that an ego came out when he ended up around a bunch of guys who probably haven't ever seen even 5,000 people at a match. It's also not hard to imagine, on that same assumption, that he may have already had a huge ego, but it was much easier to keep in check around the likes of Ric Flair, Sting, Hogan, Hall, Nash, etc. still doing well in WCW and then Vince, Undertaker, Triple H, The Rock, Stone Cold, etc. in WWE than to keep it in check around guys like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Shark Boy, Hernandez, etc..

[TJ Tilli]

Originally Posted by Phoenix Rising

Look at what TNA did to Christian Cage on his way out. I think Booker has a legitimate arguement here. He doesn't want to get locked in a casket on his last night on the show.

lol

[Zombie]

This is just what WWE needs. More past-their-prime 90's hacks to clog up the main event.

I'm just kidding... Booker T was never main event.

[nWo 4 Life]

Thanks for all the input guys. I'm still kind of on the fence about this whole thing because Book does not deserve to be put on ECW..even though I have liked what WWECW has been doing for guys like Regal and Christian Cage. Abooker and Regal re-uniting would be great as I enjoyed those two along with Finlay together on Smackdown.
I just don't see the attraction of King Booker vs Dreamer or King Booker vs Yoshi Tatsu.
I also NEVER cared too much for him teaming with Goldust! To me that was a horrible chapter in his storied career because everyone knew/knows Goldust is a joke and not a serious contender for anything.

As for the TNA side, he will never lose his spot there and putting over Morgan, feuding with Sting, AJ, Hernandez, The Pope and Daniels will show him a better light than what he has to offer WWECW.
If it were him going to Smakcdown, I would probably be thinking way different because he wouldn't need the King gimmick to start out with over there.

Swallow some of your ego Book and look at the big picture man, do you really want to go back to the things you despised?

[DeAndes]

Goldust is far and away a great entertainer, a wrestler with great (albeit 'unorthodox') psychology, and great with comedic timing. To call him a joke is the same as calling Chavo Guerrero a joke.

Bookdust was a great tag team and to rekindle the chemistry they had would be magic on screen.

It's a sad state of affairs when people confuse someone being used in a role for how talented they actually are. Given that Goldust can be attributed to some of the Attitude Era's success with his promo ability and the sheer amount of heat the man garnered, you hardly do him enough justice when a majority of the TNA Roster cannot hold a candle to his overall appeal.

Much like his father, yes, he wasn't the best looking 'blue chipper' or all that athletic. But he sold matches on the merit of his dynamic persona.

[CoLD]

Awesome post.

Hell if anyone who has watched ECW in the past month or two hasn't realized that about Goldust then they are blind.

Dude has been working his ass off as of late. The crowds have taken notice as well and have been giving him huge pops.

Oh and any match Goldust has had in the past two months are better then ANY match Booker has had in TNA.

Goldust is one of the top five workers in the WWE currently IMO.

Oh and Yoshi owns. Dude understands what makes a good match and how to connect with the crowd. Hater.

[Baba O'Riley]

'The Booker T stretcher angle at this past Sunday night’s TNA Bound For Glory PPV was the former five time (…five time) WCW champions’ curtain call with the company. It’s official now that Booker T will no longer be used on any TNA television or PPVs going forward.

Word backstage at the iMPACT! tapings in Orlando tonight that Booker has been more outspoken than ever about his disdain with TNA, going as far as saying his run with the company has tarnished his legacy in pro wrestling. He’s telling anyone that will listen that he has been completely miserable as of late in TNA and can’t wait for his deal to expire so he can explore his future options.

While it’s not official, the word going around is that Booker still plans on possibly heading back to WWE, despite leaving the company in the first place due to the hectic road schedule. Whether or not Booker will return to WWE has yet to be determined, but chances are you’ll see the Booker-man back in WWE land sooner than later.'

From another website, obviously cannot name it, but this seems intent that Booker is gone for good from TNA once his contract is up. Oh well, adios Booker!

[Khan Bloodsucker]

Why didn't they just make him another belt to shut him up?

[Brooklyn]

I must reiterate that I am really disppointed in BT. Its hard hearing that your loooooong time favorite is a jerk and an ass hole. Usually when an entertainer/athlete is an asshole we can gloss it over and still enjoy their work(think of a great actor with a not so great rep). But in this case my guy BT hasn't produced in TNA, so I can't even fall back on that. I wish him luck, but he had a real chance to be a positive influence on some of the lesser names in TNA but instead he got a case of the big head. He had better not complain about any of the stuff he faces should he return to the WWE.

[enigmatic]

Shame to hear someone I've been watching since his WcW days has become so unbearable to work with. If its true it doesn't surprise me that he's leaving just as TNA is starting to put a solid push behind the younger generation. TNA really does need to do this if they are going to remain a viable company.

Does anyone know for sure that WWE is going to take him back? I heard he was doing some indy work after he leaves TNA. Booker may be just hoping WWE takes him back. Honestly like TNA WWE need to focus on making newer stars and not in bringing in older ones unless they know for sure they'll add something fresh to the mix. I don't know if Booker can add anything fresh to the mix now.

[The_Dropkick_Murphy]

Just for those interested, Booker T's profile has been removed from TNA's website but his wife Sharmell remains up.

[NonStopFan Reloaded]

Originally Posted by The_Dropkick_Murphy

Just for those interested, Booker T's profile has been removed from TNA's website but his wife Sharmell remains up.

Damn that all but makes it official. Its a shame because I feel that he still could've had a good feud or two as a top heel.

[nWo 4 Life]

Yea he could've had a few good ones..I was hoping he'd feud with Robert ,, Daniels and the Pope. Sometimes people go to places and are not the right fit. Look at Christian he had a great run there but Jarrett and co. saw fit to keep him out of the title picture for a good chunk of his last year in TNA. With Book..I just don't get why he was/is so defiant in putting the young guys over on t.v.?! It sounds so damn silly! I really liked him in WCW more than anywhere else but I was amazed at how he adapted and got better after leaving RAW for Smackdown. Oh and for the doubters, Vince won't heisitate to bring Book back in and you know it. Say what you will about Goldust' work which has been great on ECW but I think Nook would be that much better due to his athleticism. And a happy Booker T is great performing Booker T.
I think having him interfere in a Christian ECW title defense on ppv would be gold because of their recent history in TNA and WWE Smackdown battles too!

[Daves_Not_Here]

Didn’t Booker set up his school in Texas as a training camp for the WWE after OVW folded? When they went with FCW instead, he was put off to say the least. And who knows if he ever had any run-ins with Michael “P.S.” Hayes along the way.

The only reason that makes sense to me that Booker would be brought back to the WWE is if they decided to bail on FCW and use his operation instead. Florida ain’t churning out much more than the next generation of mid-carders, is it?

By the way, am I the only one that winces in pain whenever the MEM attempts to run down the ramp? I’ve seen 80-year olds run better than that!

[nWo 4 Life]

By the way, am I the only one that winces in pain whenever the MEM attempts to run down the ramp? I’ve seen 80-year olds run better than that![/quote]

If you had tons of knee and leg surgeries you wouldn't be running like Adrian Peterson either dude! Seriously..

[APeAR]

I seriously doubt Booker has an offer or even interest from WWE, especially after these stories about how he acted backstage. Lord know Batista and HHH aren't pleading a case to bring him back.

[Rogue]

Eh, Vince knows that Booker can reach that all important black demographic, and since he lacks multiple black talents, he will probably figure it's worth it to bring him back in. Though at this point, he's nothing more then a midcarder.

Personally, if he's going to go back to the WWE, I'd like to see him come back as a manager/commentator. He may not be able to wrestle for shit anymore, but he can still work the mic.

[CoLD]

Lacks multiple black talent? MVP and Mark Henry can both be made into legitimate RAW Main Eventers if they wanted them to. Then you have Kofi Kingston who is on the come up as well.

Shelton could be ECW champion at any time.

Smackdown has Truth and Cryme Tyme. Both in pretty good positions in the mid card.

They could sign him and send him to Smackdown since none of them will ever be as big as Booker in the WWE but if he wasn't going to be a Main Eventer / Upper Card worker it would be a waste.

They don't really need him due to a lack of Black talent.

[Rogue]

I forgot about Truth, as I'm sure most of America does on a weekly basis. I still view Cryme Tyme as a team as well, which gives the WWE 4 black singles stars, that's really not that many.

I think he could definitely work well on Smackdown, he could work in the midcard to upper-midcard, area, and put over some upcoming guys. You probably wouldn't have to worry too much about locker room problems, with Taker ruling that little kingdom.