Tag: booker t

Booker T says Trick Williams ‘cannot get complacent’ to reach Roman Reigns’ level

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Booker T is eagerly pushing for Trick Williams’ stardom in WWE beyond the current status. He expressed that Williams has to work harder now more than ever to cement his spot. 

Speaking with No Contest Wrestling Podcast, Booker T praised Williams’ WWE positioning and run. However, he cited it is a pivotal moment and he cannot get complacent with the hype surrounding him. 

“Trick’s in that position now where he’s got to fly. He’s got to really, really fly. I hope he listens to this because I shoot straight. This is the most pivotal time for a young wrestler like Trick Williams. He cannot get complacent. He cannot start believing the hype. This is the time where he’s got to do more than he ever imagined to put himself into position to be that guy.”

He compared him to Roman Reigns and his wrestling journey in WWE, to be pushed as the next top guy and main eventer.

“That guy, such as a Roman Reigns, a guy who over these last 10 years, nobody has had a bad match with Roman Reigns because Roman is a hell of a general. He’s going to go out there and he’s going to take you through that match and he’s going to take you to something so compelling at the end of the night.”

“No matter how many people did not like Roman Reigns, they’re going to be saying, ‘Damn, he’s good.’ That’s where I need someone like Trick to really be honestly thinking about, focusing on being that guy. That guy that every guy in the locker room looks at him a certain way and they know it when he walks in the room.”

Williams made his SmackDown debut in January and barely a month later began feuding with Sami Zayn. He competed in his first WrestleMania and won the United States Championship, further cementing his momentum on the main roster. Fans have been clamouring for his rise to stardom ever since he stepped foot on the main roster.

Booker T: We ‘needed some better security’ at WWE WrestleMania hotel

Posted on by Joseph Currier

More reports continue to emerge detailing how bad the security situation was in Las Vegas during WWE WrestleMania 42 weekend.

On his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T said Mania weekend this year was the toughest situation he’s ever had to deal with in terms of fan behavior. People were being disrespectful and mobbing WWE wrestlers and legends at the MGM Grand hotel. He urged fans to give the wrestlers more privacy and space in the future. And Booker T said there needed to be better security at the hotel.

“Walking through MGM Grand, we needed some better security at MGM Grand this year,” Booker T said. “Just because, it was really, really hard — I can only imagine what the superstars, the guys that’s actually going out there and doing it in the ring, how it felt for them. Because I got mobbed, and I’m not even doing this anymore. So hopefully we can get that fixed.”

There was an incident after night two of Mania where a fan had their phone knocked away by CM Punk as the fan was trying to film an interaction between AJ Lee and Bayley. Security was said to have been an issue all weekend with not enough being done to give talent privacy when they had to go through common areas where fans would be.

Booker T said fans were following wrestlers everywhere — and one even filmed Booker T while he was in the bathroom.

“They were camped out — everywhere — they were camped out. You couldn’t walk anywhere,” Booker T said. “And they were following you. In the bathroom, I remember the guy literally was filming me in the bathroom. And when I walked out he goes, ‘Hey, Booker.’ And I just kept walking because I was so mad because he was filming me in the bathroom.”

A two-time WWE Hall of Famer, Booker T is now part of the commentary team for NXT. He emphasized that he loves his fans but said people really need to understand what wrestlers are going through during such a hectic weekend, especially when they have their families with them.

WWE Hall of Famer not ‘totally’ retired, comments on potential Trick Williams feud

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Trick Williams might already have his WrestleMania 43 feud streamlined amid his current WWE run. 

On the latest edition of Reality of Wrestling Podcast with Brad Gilmore, Booker T addressed Triple H’s social media post. Booker T met Triple H backstage at a WWE event teasing for him to put him in the ring. Triple H posted the brief interaction on X and captioned it ‘whenever you’re ready’. Booker T responded that he does not consider himself completely retired and is open to one last match. He name-dropped Williams as a possible opponent and praised his current WWE run. 

“Never say never, bro. I’m not going to put myself totally in the retirement category just yet. Yeah, I don’t know I might get the itch to want to have a retirement match and go out there and do something with one of the young guys perhaps do something with Trick Williams. You never know. So, I don’t want to take that off table or anything like that. Anything’s possible.”

Gilmore floated the idea of a career vs. title match against Williams at WrestleMania 43 envisioning a scenario where he’s the United States Champion. 

“Yeah, I would think about it without any shadow of a doubt. I don’t even have to think about it. It would be something that perhaps can be done very, very quickly. To have a chance to do something like that would be the way, a cool way to walk out. He got hell of a payday. At the same time, doing something with somebody that I really, really love what they’re doing as far as what Trick Williams doing right now. Of course, I would do it but I would definitely have to get myself ready for something like that. It’ll have to be next year. Of course, next year. Mania. Yeah, I could do that. Yeah, I can do that.”

Booker T took over NXT commentary duties since 2022 alongside Vic Joseph. He has also crossed paths with a few talents on the brand backstage and hyped their in-ring capabilities. He competed in the 2023 Royal Rumble as a surprise entrant which was later revealed to be his last match. He did however participate in a Street Justice Rules Gauntlet match in his own promotion, Reality of Wrestling in 2025. 

Williams was affiliated with NXT for four years before transitioning to SmackDown. Next weekend he collides with Sami Zayn for the United States Championship in his first-ever WrestleMania match. 

Daily Update: Sgt. Slaughter, Lilian Garcia, Ricky Saints

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Preview and business notes on AEW Revolution
  • Updates on WrestleMania, how we got to Rhodes vs. Orton and feuds that are starting
  • A look at the UFC White House show and how we got here
  • Full UFC 326 coverage including the most viewers of a TV UFC show since Paige Van Zant vs. Michelle Waterson
  • A look at the new AEW streaming service
  • NXT Vengeance Day coverage and poll results
  • Odds on upcoming pro wrestling matches
  • Logan Paul’s grandstand challenge to football players gets several takers, including some big names, but nothing can transpire and how it ended
  • Full coverage of the 16 Carat Gold tournament in German featuring many of the best independent wrestlers in the world
  • A complete look at the TV ratings from all the pro wrestling shows over the past week, including breakdowns in various categories, placings, how Raw did on Netflix, competition and more
  • CMLL’s lineup for its No. 2 show of the year next week
  • Full rundown of the CMLL all women’s show onFriday
  • Konnan news
  • Behnid the Nino Hamburguesa firing
  • Rey de Reyes notes
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament news
  • New Japan Cup and anniversary show news
  • Pro wrestler and MMA star looks back at a fixed fight and more comments including the Japanese attempt to get a major WWE star to job in an MMA match to theri guy
  • Notes on a new promotion debuting
  • Attendance updates for future WWE, AEW, TNA and other shows including Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
  • Giant weekend in Europe including the two big Eve shows and the controversy
  • TNA future direction
  • Notes from the Tony Khan media call
  • Putting recent Collision numbers into perspective
  • How Zuffa boxing’s biggest show did
  • Rousey vs. Carano and Rousey’s promotional tactics as well as responses from other fighters
  • Lots of new UFC fights
  • Jake Paul’s women’s boxing group makes ESPN deal
  • Changes to the WWE writing team
  • ESPN reporting side does exactly what they said they wouldn’t do regarding pro wrestling
  • More vacant WWE titles

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

Booker T WWE NXT Appreciation Night
WWE celebrates Booker T on NXT in Houston. (Image credit: WWE)

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame steel cage match for the Women’s North American Championship that headlined NXT last night.
  • A video package celebrating Booker T aired during the NXT episode, which took place in Houston and was Booker T Appreciation Night. 
  • Ricky Saints spoke with KRON 4 News about his acting ambitions:
    • It’s so taboo to talk about like, ‘Oh, he’s a wrestler and he’s talking about wanting to go from wrestling to acting.’ Yes, for sure, my body won’t be able to do this forever. So, for those who hate hearing it, yes, I want to get into acting. Who cares? I loved acting. I loved [CW’s] Wild Cards. I loved the whole experience. I thought it was really good, and it really gave me a sense of something that I’m able to do after this. [When] this life is over, and so, you know, the hope is more of that to come. And the network, they love me. They really did. They enjoyed me. They cherished me. All my fans. They said, ‘well, Ricky, you did great. You were a natural.’ And I say, ‘Yeah, can’t help it.’
    • I’ve always said I think I could play a really, really good Gambit [from X-Men]. I just need to learn how to throw cards and, you know, shuffle a deck. But, yeah, that’s like the top of the list. If I can get Gambit, it’s a wrap or Blade. Imagine me as Blade. I think I look good in leather.”
  • Sgt. Slaughter told Going Ringside that he was the only wrestler to go to Iron Sheik’s funeral when Sheik passed away in 2023:
    • In 2023, he passed. And I was the only wrestler at his funeral, which I thought was pretty horrendous, that I was the only wrestler to go to his funeral. And he lived in Atlanta where all the wrestlers lived, so I thought that was kind of a slap in the face. [Sheik did] so much not only for wrestlers but for the professional wrestling business.
  • Lilian Garcia was a guest on Busted Open Radio today. She noted that she’ll be doing some ring announcing at WWE’s summer 2026 European tour and will be in Las Vegas for WrestleMania 42 weekend:
    • To be able to get called back, to come back and still have a role. You know, Saturday Night’s Main Event, Worlds Collide. I’ll be doing some of the Europe tour now, they just let me know. And some things here at WrestleMania. It’s just always fun. It’s just in my blood.
  • When asked how WWE has changed across her different stints with the company, Garcia pointed to how much the Wellness Policy has cleaned up things in the locker room:
    • I just listened to the podcast with Chris Masters and Chris Van Vliet actually, and he was talking about some of the things that were happening with the Wellness Policy and how things have changed now and the partying that was before and the Wellness Policy, how it cleaned up a lot. And so it changed.
    • I think for me, that was really great to see too. Obviously, I think for all of us. You know, Tommy [Dreamer], you and I have experienced the loss of so many wrestlers dying way too young. When I started counting it one day, I’m like, ‘I’ve lost my fingers. All my fingers are gone. All my toes are gone. It’s crazy.’ And so I think that’s the biggest thing, that the wellness is better in there. And you’re not expected to be this monster of a wrestler to be able to be effective.
  • Liv Morgan will be appearing at a live podcast taping for Cody Rhodes’ “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” during the Wednesday of WrestleMania week.
  • Complex’s Graps podcast interviewed Jade Cargill.
  • Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be featured in the next season of the video game Fortnite.
  • For a 3:16 Day video, Danhausen tried to trick wrestlers into thinking he was “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

Other Wrestling

  • In an interview with High Times, Marina Shafir opened up about her relationship with husband Roderick Strong:
    • He’s such an amazing partner. I love that I can speak my love language with my husband while training together. That’s a different level of trust. He understands who I am, and I understand who he is.
    • There’s so much going on outside of my bubble that I can’t control…  It’s a lot. So I take it one week at a time.
    • We really try hard to carve out time for our son, too. Soccer practice, going to the farmers market, and just making time for family.
  • MVP appeared on Your Entertainment Escape in Fresno ahead of tonight’s Dynamite.
  • Denise Salcedo uploaded video of her live show with Willow Nightingale from Revolution weekend.
  • AJPW Tag Team Champions Titans of Calamity (Ren Ayabe & Tolos) will compete in the 2026 NWA Crockett Cup in Forney, Texas on April 4.
  • During an Instagram Q&A, Maki Itoh was asked what her biggest career goal is right now: “Go to the Tokyo Dome with STARDOM. And suddenly show up in AEW again..make the crowd want me, and leave for Japan right away lol”

Keanu Carver interrupts Booker T Appreciation Night on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Booker T Appreciation Night nearly ended in a brawl.

During the ceremony held in Booker T’s hometown of Houston, a video aired showing WWE and NXT names such as Jacy Jayne, Jasper Troy, Trick Williams, Stephanie Vaquer, and Roxanne Perez praise the five-time WCW Champion for helping them during their career. As Booker T was giving a speech, he was cut off by Keanu Carver, who went on a rampage by attacking his Reality of Wrestling students and demanded Booker T leave the ring. 

The two met in the ring and had a staredown until Troy came out and cleared house, throwing Carver out of the ring. The locker room emptied to applaud Booker T, who responded by grabbing a microphone and berated general manager Robert Stone for what had happened. Booker’s microphone cut off as the segment ended, seemingly implying the final minutes of the segment were unplanned.

Booker T is a two-time WWE Hall of Famer, both for his work as a singles wrestler as well as for being part of Harlem Heat alongside his brother Stevie Ray. He has been a part of the WWE NXT announce team since 2023. 

WWE NXT live results: Booker T Appreciation Night, three title matches

Posted on by Chris Aiken

WWE NXT is live tonight from Houston, Texas — with see three title matches and Booker T honored in his hometown.

NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne will defend against former partners and current rivals Sol Ruca and Zaria after defending against both of them recently.

In a rare steel cage match in NXT, Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley will defend against former champion Izzi Dame. Paxley defeated Dame for the title at the recent Vengeance Day and their feud continued last week.

The Women’s Speed title will also be on the line as Fallon Henley defends against Wren Sinclair. The Texas native earned her opportunity by winning a tournament.

The rest of the card will feature Hank & Tank facing off against Birth Right’s Lexis King & Uriah Connors in the first round of NXT’s Tag Team title number one contender’s tournament, and six-man tag action with Los Americanos taking on Vanity Project.

Our live coverage kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern.

**********

NXT is live from the 713 Music Hall in Houston in front of a hot crowd. Opening the show is a triple threat title match.

Jacy Jayne (with Fatal Influence) vs. Sol Ruca vs. Zaria in a triple threat match for the NXT Women’s Championship

—

NXT Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley & Lainey Reid are ringside in Jayne’s corner. So far, Henley has the best St. Patrick’s Day gear on the show.

Lots of nifty spots, leading to near falls where Hayne delivers a codebreaker. Ruca breaks the count by springboarding into a Superfly splash, and Ruca gets a two count on Jayne. Vic Joseph and Booker T on commentary played up the champ being at a disadvantage not having to drop the fall to lose her title.

Ruca barely cleared the ropes on a Space Flying Tiger Drop, and the audience collectively held their breath for a moment. Outside the ring, Lainey Reid interferes to give Jayne an underhanded advantage. While Zaria and Ruca sell, Fatal Influence taunts and poses as the show goes into a commercial break. The match continues in a split-screen.

In the middle of the match, Los Americanos are shown preparing for their match tonight when the show returns. Teammates turned rivals, Sol Ruca and Zaria finally square off. They trade strikes until Jayne bursts into the ring with a senton. Jayne is thwarted as Ruca leapfrogs a spear from Zaria, and Jayne takes the spear. Ruca then spears Zaria, and the live audience comes unglued.

In their take on a Tower of Doom, Zaria leaps on the ropes for a German suplex on Jayne while Ruca flips over taking a back suplex. Zaria tries to cover the other two, but both kick out. Zaria looks to pummel Ruca, but Jayne land a missile dropkick and a cannonball. Zaria cuts off Jayne to deliver the F-5 to the champ, but Ruca breaks up the pinning attempt. Zaria goes for the F-5 on Ruca, only to get an X-factor from Ruca. Really good sequence.

Zaria take a bump out for the ring as they go home, and Ruca crushes Jayne with a Sol Snatcher. Ruca goes for a sure pin, and Zaria pulls Zaria out of the ring to break the count. Zaria then executes the F-5 on the outside, and Ruca takes a bump on the floor. Fatal Influence’s Henley and Reid interfere by keeping Zaria from getting back into the ring. Zaria drops Reid with a headbutt, and Henley takes the F-5 on the floor. Meanwhile, Jayne crawls over to steal the win by pinning Ruca. Great opener. And still…

Match result: NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne defeated Sol Ruca and Zaria in a triple threat match when Jayne pinned Ruca to retain her title.

— Ricky Saints is supposed to “call someone out” in the next segment on the show. He is heading to the ring as the show cuts to a commercial break. Saints gets a full entrance after the break. With RodeoHouston taking place head-to-head tonight with NXT, Saints is dressed for the rodeo complete with cowboy boots, leather vest and a bolo tie. A talking segment leads to dissension between Saints and his cohort, Ethan Page. NXT Champion Joe Hendry then confronts both of them. Tony D’Angelo then lays out everyone

NXT Champ Joe Hendry plays challengers against each other, and Tony D’Angelo strikes

—

Saints first delivers a monologue saying the main event (himself) is standing before you. He boasts about himself while talking about driving three hours from Austin to Houston. He pivots to talking about his tag team with Ethan Page. He brags about how they can pivot, mentioning there win last week against the team of Joe Hendry and Myles Borne.

Saints dubs himself and Page as “The Slump Busters” for their team name. If their other cohorts in Vanity Project were not in the title mix, Saints and Page would go for the tag titles. Out comes Ethan Page to join alongside Saints. Page likes the name, but he was thinking “Bounce-Back Boys” instead. Saints tells Page he can call out NXT North American Champion Myles Borne to issue a challenge. Page informs Saints that Page does not want to be North American Champion anymore. Rather, Page wants to be a two-time champion.

Saints is at a lose for words as he processes the intentions of Page. The tension is broken by the entrance of Joe Hendry, who enters holding the NXT title belt.

Hendry cuts a promo that pits Saints against Page. Hendry claims Saints uses Page to cover for his own loses. Hendry points out Saints cannot regain the title. Saints cannot play guitar, and he cannot sing. Henry then mentions that Saints and Page once wrestled each other at Stand & Deliver.

Page and Saints then get into an argument and they exchange barbs. They look ready to fight each other when they instead attack Hendry. He fights then off and give each a fallaway slam.

Suddenly, Tony D’Angelo runs in to attack all three. D’Angelo wrecks shop and lays everyone out, and he stands menacingly over all.

Birthright is backstage along with Fit Finlay and William Regal. As Regal tells Birthright they must win the tag team tournament, up walks Robert Stone. Regal talks Stone aside trying to gain favor with the new general manager of NXT, and Regal offers to put in a word with Shawn Michaels on making it a permanent role as GM.

Los Americanos (El Grande Americano Nuevo, Rayo Americano & Bravo Americano) vs. Vanity Project (Brad Baylor, Ricky Smokes & WWE Evolve Champion Jackson Drake)

—

The heel trio takes over before the match goes through a commercial break. Heat on Rayo Americano when the show returns from the break, leading to El Grande Americano running wild after a hot tag.

Americanos with a stereo dives while wearing cowboy hats, and Grande gets a near fall in the ring. He then trades near falls with the heel trio, and Grande kicks out after taking a Burner Hammer and a 450 splash from Drake.

The crowd is clearly behind El Grande Americano as he hulks up. In the closing moments, Drake rolls up El Grande Americano and uses the ropes for illegal leverage. Brad Baylor also helps with an assist, and the referee catches the heels in the act. Meanwhile behind the ref’s back, El Grande is handed a gimmick and he loads his mask.

Grande Americano knocks Baylor off the apron with the shot from the loaded mask, but Drake dodges the loaded mask to deliver a running knee strike. Rayo with a blind tag, followed by another blind tag by Bravo. Russian leg sweep, flying headbutt combo by Rayo and Bravo, followed by a flying headbutt with the loaded mask by El Grande Americano. He then covers Smokes for a pinfall.

Match result: Los Americanos defeated Vanity Project when El Grando Americano pinned Ricky Smokes.

— In a backstage skit, Sean Legacy is on crutches and says he cannot wrestle. Robert Stone rules that Eli Knight must find a replacement to team with him or forfeit their spot in the tag team tournament. That led to WWE Speed Champion Elio LeFleur offering to team with Knight, and Stone okays the new team.

Keanu Carver crashes Booker T Appreciation Night

Vic Joseph hosts a segment for Booker T Appreciation Night ceremony, and Joseph introduces Booker T to the crowd. Booker T is the focus of a great video package honoring his career in wrestling as both a performer and mentor.

Booker T is in tears while surrounded by his wife and kids and two students from his Reality of Wrestling school. Joseph presents Booker with a plaque commemorating Booker T Appreciation Night. The crowd chants “you deserve it” as Booker T displays the plaque.

Booker gets the house microphone and says he has been doing this for 35 years. Booker thanks the fans for making it all possible. Keanu Carver suddenly interrupts the ceremony. Carver yells for everyone to shut up, and he shoves aside a referee on his way to the ring.

Several students try to intervene, but Carver tosses them aside with ease on his way into the ring to confront Booker. Carver is squaring off with Booker when in runs Jasper Troy to brawl with Carver. They briefly fight before Troy clotheslines Carver out of the ring. Referees pour out to keep Carver separated from Troy.

Carves exits and out comes the NXT roster to honor Booker. The roster is joined by Robert Stone. Booker says to cut the music. Booker cuts a promo saying someone needs to take control, and Booker yells at Stone that kind of stuff should not happen in Booker’s hometown city. Booker’s theme music then awkwardly blares over the house speakers, and the show cuts to commercial while Booker is still cutting a promo. The segment inexplicably ends without sound during a split-screen break.

Fallon Henley (with Fatal Influence) vs. Wren Sinclair (with Kendak Grey) for the WWE Speed Championship

—

Five-minute time limit for this title bout. Sinclair is billed from Texas, which got a decent enough pop from the crowd. The home state aspect might have popped the crowd more at first if the match had not followed a segment already playing on hometown vibes. However, the crowd still popped big for the title change, as Sinclair won the title in her home state.

For the finish, Sinclair counters an O’Connor Roll with about a minute-and-a-half remaining in the bout. Sinclair then catches Henley with “The Final Wrench” (cattle mutilation hold), and Henley submits. And new…

Match result: Wren Sinclair defeated WWE Women’s Speed Champion Fallon Henley via submission to win the title.

— Ethan Page and Ricky Saints have stormed into Robert Stone’s office, and they are angry about Tony D’Angelo ambushing them earlier tonight. They demand that Stone take action. Page then says Saints wants D’Angelo in a singles match next week. Saints is taken aback at first, but Page talks him into it so long as Page is in his corner. Saints against D’Angelo is set for next Tuesday.

— A commercial for NXT Stand & Deliver announces the show is April 4 at The Factory in St. Louis.

Hank Walker & Tank Ledger vs. Birthright (Uriah Connors & Stacks with Arianna Grace, Charlie Dempsey & Lexis King) in a number one contender’s tag team tournament quarterfinal match

—

Heat on Hank, until a hot tag to Tank. The babyface duo then a superplex/swanton bomb combination. Reception issues while trying to watch on my local CW affiliate, so my feed is choppy for a bit. Reception clears up in time for Hank to plant Stacks with a Bossman slam. Lexis King jumps into the ring and takes a bullet for Stack.

Somehow the interference by King does not qualify as a disqualification, and King is sandwiched with a stereo splash by Hank & Tank. Stacks then makes Hank & Tank’s combo finisher, but Connors already made a bling tag. Connors rushes in to roll up Hank for a three count. Birthright wins to advance in the tournament.

Match result: Birthright defeated Hank & Tank when Uriah Connors pinned Hank.

— NXT Champ Joe Hendry demands Robert Stone book a match with the champ against Tony D’Angelo. Stone could like to oblige, but he already booked Saints against D’Angelo for next week.

— Timing was tight as the show crept closer to the top of the hour, and they rush into the main event.

Tatum Paxley vs. Izzi Dame in a steel cage match for the NXT Women’s North American Championship

—

Winner by pinfall or submission, no climbing out to win. They still tried to climb out, and the fight began before they ever got in the cage. This was a wild brawl with Paxley retaining her title. The reception on my CW broadcast was in and out at times. They used weapons like chairs, along with using the cage itself as a weapon at time. They looked to have a gritty cage match without blood.

They build to a superplex, and then they build to a powerbomb spot on a metal folding chair. Paxley counters with a code red on the chair, and Paxley follows up with Cemetery Drive on Dame. Paxley covers Dame for a pinfall.

Match result: NXT Women’s North American Champion Tatum Paxley defeated Izzi Dame via pinfall to retain her title.

— In a cliffhanger ending, Paxley was celebrating and posing with the title belt the ramp. Blake Monroe popped out of a trap door like The Undertaker. She pulls Paxley down through the trap door, and Monroe poses as the show goes off the air.

Eddie Guerrero’s daughter Sherilyn gives update on wrestling debut timeline

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Sherilyn Guerrero — the daughter of late wrestling legend Eddie Guerrero — is gearing up to make her in-ring debut.

While being interviewed by The Magic of Wrestling, the 30-year-old Guerrero discussed training with Booker T as she aims to enter the ring. An ankle injury briefly set Guerrero back, but she’s back training and has found it to be an encouraging environment.

“I started training in around October, actually, and it was really cool. I got an ankle sprain in December so I had to sit out for a bit and then just start it back,” she said. “Something about recovery helps you kind of recalibrate your intention and things with this. And oh man, training is just different now. Coming back into it and the coaches I have, they’re so great in the ring and out the ring. 

“I hope that they all get that light they deserve because Booker has some really great people teaching their students and I’m so lucky. It absolutely is one of the greatest. Yeah, they have great people there. The coaches are great, they pour into their students in and out the ring. I don’t think anyone is scared to go to their coaches, everyone feels comfortable asking questions and trying things again because the coaches make it comfortable. And that’s so important.”

Guerrero anticipates her first match will happen before the end of 2026.

“Who knows? Definitely a debut this year for something,” she responded when asked about the timeline for her debut.

Reality of Wrestling, Booker T’s school where Guerrero is training, is a WWE ID-affiliated school. Current WWE Raw star Roxanne Perez is among the wrestlers the school has produced.

In addition to starting wrestling training, Guerrero has a YouTube channel where she posts vlogs. She recently interviewed Mick Foley about his memories of her father Eddie.

Booker T addresses new WWE 2K26 commentary role

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

After years of being included as an in-ring character, Booker T recently became a part of WWE 2K26’s commentary team and opened up about the experience.

Booker T and Barrett have joined this year’s 2K26’s commentary team alongside the original names, Michael Cole, Corey Graves, and Byron Saxton.

In a new video shared by 2K26 as a part of their promotion campaign, T opened up on his experience as a video game commentator.

“Man, it’s been an awesome experience working with 2K, finally getting my voice in the game. I think I bit off a little more than I could chew, though. I know it’s more reading than I’ve ever done in my life. I use a lot of the quotes from the video game on NXT, so it’s actually pretty cool. ‘No bread, no water, just meat!’ As well as, ‘It’s all about checks and championships!’

“I’ve had a great career, so many people remember me from my wrestling career. So many kids come up to me now and they recognize me from being a commentator, and a lot of them didn’t even know I was a wrestler,” the former World Champion said. “So now in the video game, I’m immortalized as a commentator, so I think it’s pretty awesome.”

Occasionally found fulfilling his commenting duties on the main roster, T is a regular name on NXT alongside Vic Joseph.

Booker T Appreciation Night, steel cage title match part of next WWE NXT lineup

Posted on by Bryan Rose

It will be Booker T Appreciation Night next week in Houston.

Prior to the main event of Tuesday’s show, Vic Joseph spoke to the crowd and surprised Booker T by announcing that next week’s show in the Hall of Famer’s hometown of Houston would be dedicated to him. The five-time WCW Champion was taken by surprise at the news.

Also set for next week is a steel cage rematch for the NXT Women’s North American title where Tatum Paxley will defend against Izzi Dame, who interrupted Paxley at the start of Tuesday’s show and made it clear she wanted another shot. Paxley attempted to leave but was blocked by The Culling, allowing Dame to lay out her former friend. Backstage Paxley found Dame and they brawled until Robert Stone cut them off, making the match for next week.

Another title match was set on Tuesday when Wren Sinclair defeated Thea Hail to win the latest women’s Speed tournament. She will now face champion Fallon Henley next week. A tournament will also begin next week to determine the next challengers for Vanity Project’s NXT Tag Team titles. Former champions Hank & Tank will compete in the first round, squaring off against Birthright.

Stone also informed Vanity Project that they would be wrestling in a six-man tag team match next week against Raw stars Los Americanos.

WWE NXT (March 17)

  • Booker T Appreciation Night
  • Triple threat match for NXT Women’s Championship: Jacy Jayne defends against Sol Ruca and Zaria
  • Steel cage match for WWE NXT Women’s North American title: Tatum Paxley defends against Izzi Dame
  • NXT Tag Team title number one contender’s tournament: Hank & Tank vs. Birthright
  • Women’s WWE Speed title: Fallon Henley defends against Wren Sinclair
  • Vanity Project vs. Los Americanos

WOR: AEW Collision & WWE SmackDown recaps, Booker T

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave and I are back on Wrestling Observer Radio. Bryan Alvarez will be back on the next show.

We recapped AEW Collision and Friday Night’s SmackDown.

We also discussed the weekend news including the following:

  • The situation in Mexico
  • NXT being preempted in some markets this week
  • Booker T
  • Bruiser Brody and Jimmy Snuka
  • Will Hobbs/Royce Keys

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube

Swerve Strickland responds to Booker T’s ‘bad habits’ claim

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland recently responded to Booker T following his comments on Je’Von Evans and how Strickland should set a better example by getting rid of his “bad habits.”

However, shortly after Ringside News shared the post on social media, Strickland re-quoted on his social media and wrote, “(Trademarks “BAD HABITS”).” In another reply to the tweet, a fan commented how Strickland has influenced more than T. He responded, “Not true.”

Strickland wrote nothing else and stayed away from ranting or launching a verbal attack on the Hall of Famer. Instead, he used the opportunity to market his AEW X Reebok product.

In a response to Strickland’s Reebok sneakers ad, a fan wrote, “How many pairs of shoes do Booker T go through a year tap dancing for WWE,” to which Strickland replied, “If he needs a new pair he can borrow mine.”

Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, T opened up on Strickland’s influence on Evans, asking him to get rid of his “bad habits.”

“I heard Swerve Strickland talk about Je’Von Evans, and Evans probably grew up watching guys like him, and that’s true. So you’ve got to figure out how to get rid of those bad habits.”

Strickland and T’s virtual tension goes back over a yearand has been building since then. During a VladTV interview, Strickland had opened up about T’s treatment in WWE and the usage of a racial slur in front of him under Vince McMahon. Later, Strickland had also led a “F*** Booker T” chant after AEW Dynasty.

Booker T on Ava as NXT GM: ‘She did a hell of a job’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Booker T addressed former NXT General Manager Ava’s departure from WWE on his Hall of Fame podcast.

Ava, the daughter of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, announced on January 30 that she had finished up with WWE. On last week’s episode of NXT, Shawn Michaels appointed Mr. Stone as an interim General Manager. Ava was not mentioned on the broadcast.

Booker told co-host Brad Gilmore that he believes Ava did a tremendous job in the role and feels it is important for a young person to be put in charge of the brand.

Booker said:

“We don’t have a GM at NXT anymore. Ava, daughter of The Rock, of course, she stepped down from being general manager of NXT, and I tell you, I thought she did a hell of a job. I really did. I thought she fit that role very, very well as a young person being a part of such a young group of guys doing big things and being able to have her finger on the pulse of knowing what young people may want.“

As far as a full-time replacement for the NXT General Manager role, Booker and Gilmore spoke about Mr. Stone and Chelsea Green as possibilities, but Booker stressed that he believes a young person should ultimately be cast in the role.

Booker continued:

“When young people see young people doing things, it inspires them. So I would love to see a young person step into that role and take it to the next level.”

Dave Meltzer addressed Ava’s WWE departure in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, noting that it was her decision to do so.

“Those within the company said basically that she had decided to do other things with her life, noting that her parents (Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia) own a production company among other things (including 16 percent ownership each in the UFL football league. They noted it was her decision. Obviously it came suddenly since there was no storyline building it up,” Meltzer wrote.

Booker’s comments are available in the video below:

Booker T responds to Batista’s comments about 2006 altercation

Posted on by Ian Carey

Booker T has responded to comments made by Batista about a backstage fight between the two of them nearly 20 years ago.

The two were involved in an altercation at a WWE promotional shoot on May 15, 2006, after an argument turned physical. A clip of Batista discussing the incident recently went viral on the WWE subreddit, in which he takes issue with Booker starting a fight with him while he was injured.

Booker responded to Batista’s comments on an episode of his Hall of Fame podcast, saying:

“There’s a story going around, as far as the kerfuffle that Batista and I got into back in the day at the SummerSlam shoot out there in LA.“

“I saw a video of him and he said that it’s sad that the guy chose to pick a fight with him when he was injured. And I go, ‘Wow, man. That’s just not fair.‘”

At the time of the incident, Batista was rehabbing from a surgically repaired triceps and a torn lat muscle. He had been forced to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship in January 2006 due to the injury. He returned to action that June.

Booker continued:

“First of all, I didn’t pick a fight with anybody. And I definitely didn’t know anybody was injured or anything like that. This is the first time I heard about anything like that.“

“I just don’t want people to ever think that I was a bully or that I would be going around picking fights with people. I did not pick a fight with anybody. But I did finish the fight with Batista.“

“Nothing but love for Batista. And guys, quit pulling up these old stories where I’ve got to comment on them. I’m never going to get deep off into what really happened with him and me because it’s one of those locker room stories and I always thought those stories are kind of sacred.“

Dave Meltzer detailed an eyewitness account of the backstage altercation in the May 29, 2006, edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, available in our archives for subscribers.

“There was a general feeling coming from several different sources that Batista deserved what he got. Even people you would expect to back Batista were taking Booker’s side in this,” Meltzer wrote.

Booker’s comments begin around the 19-minute mark of the podcast. The below video is cued.

Wrestling Weekly: Interview with Dr. Tom Prichard

Posted on by Victor Sosa

On this edition of Wrestling Weekly, Les Thatcher and Victor Sosa are joined by Dr. Tom Prichard to discuss what went into the decision he recently made to close his wrestling school. We also talk about some of the differences in trainees mindsets today compared to previous generations, schools out there today aspiring wrestlers should look into — as well as John Cena’s retirement, the rise of Dominik Mysterio, and one of Dr. Tom’s most recent success stories: WWE star Ivy Nile.

Thanks for listening and have a great weekend~!

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

WWE Hall of Famer calls AEW a ‘retirement spot’

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

WWE legend Booker T recently called All Elite Wrestling as a ‘retirement spot’.

One of the most respected veterans in the industry, Booker T, in the latest episode of his Hall of Fame podcast opened up about the future of Chris Jericho. Discussing with his co-host, Brad Gilmore, Booker T claimed that Jericho might choose Tony Khan’s promotion over WWE, because according to him, wrestlers there get paid without having to work extensively.

“I wish they had AEW around when I was doing this thing. I would have just camped out. Made me a little tent. I would have been going nowhere, man. I’m serious. They pay you not to work in AEW.”

He further also commented about Ric Flair’s AEW status before calling the Jacksonville-based promotion a ‘retirement spot’. Sharing his views, the Hall of Famer said, “Ric Flair is still under contract [with AEW] from what I’ve been hearing. What has he done? What has Ric Flair done for AEW? It’s a safe haven. It’s definitely a retirement spot, if you’re definitely looking to wrap this up in the right way. I get it, man. I get it. Seriously.”

Ric Flair was recently advertised to appear live on Dynamite Blood & Guts with Ricky Steamboat. However, the live television appearance was soon scrapped due to The Nature Boy suffering a rotator cuff injury.

Over the years, a significant number of former WWE performers have transitioned to AEW. Wrestlers such as Adam Copeland, Christian Cage, and Paul Wight signed with All Elite Wrestling towards the end of their careers, where they are expected to retire.