Booker Huffman

Infobox Wrestler
name=Booker Huffman


names=Booker T
Booker
G.I. Bro
Kole
King Booker
height=6 ft. 3 in. (191 cm)
weight=253 lb. (115 kg)
birth_date=Birth date and age|mf=yes|1965|3|1
birth_place=Houston, Texas
death_place=
death_date=
resides=Houston, Texas
billed=Harlem, New York
Houston, Texas
trainer=Scott Casey
debut=1989|

Robert Booker Tio Huffmancite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/bookert.html|title=Booker T's bio|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|author=John M. Milner, Andy McNamara and Greg Oliver|accessdate=2008-04-18|date=2005-06-02] (born March 1, 1965)cite web|url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/363/37/|title=Booker T's bio|publisher=TNA Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-17] , better known by his wrestling persona Booker T, is an American professional wrestler. He is currently wrestling for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He is the owner of Pro Wrestling Alliance and is best known for his work with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).

During his career in WCW and WWF/E, Huffman won a total of six World Championships: a five-time WCW Champion and a one-time World Heavyweight Champion,cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/|title=Championship History: World Heavyweight|publisher=WWE.com|accessdate=2008-04-18] making him one of only three men to hold both companies' incarnations of the Big Gold Belt while active within their respective companies (the others being Chris Benoit, Bill Goldberg. In addition, he was the winner of the WWE King of the Ring tournament in 2006 and the sixteenth WWE Triple Crown Champion. He is also known for being one-half of the tag team Harlem Heat with his brother Lane "Stevie Ray" Huffman. They were WCW World Tag Team Champions a record ten times together. Huffman is one of the most decorated tag team champions in wrestling history, winning fourteen World Tag Team titles between WCW and WWF/E.

Early life

Booker was the youngest of eight children, in Houston's tough South Park. By the time Booker was fourteen, both of his parents had died, and his brother Lane "Stevie Ray" Huffman stepped in to raise him and his siblings.

In high school, Booker Huffman was a drum major.cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_4_2/ai_67872122|title=Booker T 20 Fast Facts|author=Steve Anderson|publisher=Wrestling Digest|accessdate=2008-04-16|month=December | year=2000] He also played touch football and basketball. In his early 20s, Huffman spent nineteen months in jail after robbing a Wendy's fast food restaurant. [cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/booker1.html|title=Booker Huffman's profile|publisher=The Smoking Gun|accessdate=2008-04-17]

Career

Early career

Booker Huffman, a single father working at a storage company in Houston, Texas, was looking to make a better life for himself and his son.cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosB/booker_00jun18.html|title=Booker T: Wrestling's consummate performer|author=John Powell|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2008-06-17|date=2000-06-18] His brother Lane suggested that he and Booker check out a new wrestling school being opened, run by Ivan Putski, in conjunction with his Western Wrestling Alliance organization. His boss from the storage company loaned him the $3,000 to pay for the wrestling lessons. Booker trained under Scott Casey, who helped to turn Booker's background in drama and dance into "sports entertainment", teaching the newcomer ring psychology and ring generalship.

Eight weeks later, Booker debuted as "G.I. Bro" on Putski's "Western Wrestling Alliance Live!" program. The character was a tie-in to the raging Gulf War and the WWF's Sgt. Slaughter angle. Even though the WWA met its demise some time later, Booker continued to wrestle on the Texas indy circuit, often with his brother Stevie Ray. They were spotted by Skandor Akbar who hired them to work for the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF), where he and Eddie Gilbert were involved. Gilbert teamed Stevie Ray and Booker T together as the Ebony Experience, and they won the GWF Tag Team Championship on July 31, 1992. During their time with GWF, they held the tag title a total of three times. Subsequently, Booker T and Stevie Ray left the GWF to work for World Championship Wrestling.

World Championship Wrestling (1993-2001)

Harlem Heat (1993–1997)

Booker and his brother Lane signed with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the mid-1990s after Sid Vicious recommended they sign with the company. In August 1993, they debuted as the tag team Harlem Heat, with Booker renamed Kole and Lane renamed Kane. They became heels and were on Harley Race and Col. Rob Parker's team in the WarGames match at Fall Brawl on September 19 against Sting, Davey Boy Smith, Dustin Rhodes, and The Shockmaster. [Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.139)] They lost the match but were over as heels because of the caliber of faces they wrestled.

In 1994, they got Sister Sherri as their manager and changed their names back to Booker T and Stevie Ray, at their request. By the end of 1994, they held the WCW Tag Team Championship after defeating Stars 'n' Stripes (The Patriot and Marcus Alexander Bagwell) in December. After dropping the title to The Nasty Boys, Harlem Heat regained the belts on June 24, 1995.

Afterward, Harlem Heat got into a feud with Col. Parker's "Stud Stable" of "Dirty" Dick Slater and Bunkhouse Buck. Parker and Sherri were carrying on a love affair and Parker eventually left the Stud Stable in favor of the Heat to be with Sherri. Harlem Heat won the WCW World Tag Team titles at Fall Brawl 1995, defeating Dick Slater and Bunkhouse Buck. [Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.142)] Their third title reign only lasted one day, [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nitro/1995.html 1995 Monday Nitro Results] Online World of Wrestling.] but the duo regained the tag team title nine days later from The American Males (Buff Bagwell and Scotty Riggs). On the June 24, 1996 "Nitro", Harlem Heat defeated Lex Luger and Sting to capture their fifth WCW World Tag Team titles. [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nitro/1996.html 1996 Monday Nitro Results] Online World of Wrestling.] Prior to defeating Luger for the title, Booker got carried away during a televised interview, calling out Luger as well as Hulk Hogan, claiming "Hulk Hogan, we comin' for you, nigga!" Three days after losing the tag team titles to the Steiner Brothers, Harlem Heat regained the straps back from the Steiners three nights later on July 27. On September 23, Booker T and Stevie Ray were defeated by Public Enemy (Rocco Rock & Johnny Grunge) but took the titles back for the seventh time on October 1.

They lost the Tag Team Championship to the Outsiders (Kevin Nash & Scott Hall) on October 27.Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.144)] Subsequently, they fired Col. Parker and beat him up and became full-fledged faces. They then entered into a brief feud against Parker's newest team The Amazing French Canadians, a feud they won. In 1997, they feuded with "Public Enemy" (Grunge & Rocco), The Steiners, and the nWo. In fall 1997, they fired Sherri and added a new manager, Jacqueline. They were briefly put out of action by the nWo and returned to feud with the "Faces of Fear" (Meng & The Barbarian). Stevie then took five months off from WCW to recover from an ankle injury and Jacqueline left for the WWF.

WCW World Television Champion (1997–1998)

Huffman made the transition into singles action and won the WCW World Television Championship from Disco Inferno on "Monday Night Nitro" in December 1997. Booker feuded over the title with Perry Saturn and Rick Martel culminating in a gauntlet match at SuperBrawl VIII. Martel, the man that was originally supposed to win the match, went down early due to a knee injury, meaning the finish and the remainder of the match had to be called in the ring. [Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.147)] In the spring of 1998, Booker began feuding with Chris Benoit. Benoit cost Booker the TV title during a match against Fit Finlay. As a result, Booker and Benoit engaged in a "best-of-seven series" with the winner meeting Finlay for the title. After seven matches and interference from Bret Hart and Stevie Ray, Booker T won the series, and on June 14, regained the Television Championship.cite news|author=Martin, Finn|title=Power Slam Magazine, issue 49|work="Down and Out" (Great American Bash 1998)|publisher=SW Publishing|date=1998-07-21|pages=19-21|quote=He then connected with a Harlem sidekick and polished Benoit off with a missile dropkick to win the series, by pinfall, four matches to three] He was the first African American to hold the WCW World Television Championship and the only one to legitimately win the title (Stevie Ray also held and defended the title while Booker was injured). During a match with Hart, Booker injured his knee and missed several months. When he returned, he quickly regained the TV Championship from Scott Steiner,Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.149-150)] who, in turn, defeated Booker in the finals of the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship tournament. Booker lost the Television title to Rick Steiner a month later at Slamboree.

Harlem Heat reunion and Misfits in Action (1999–2000)

By mid-1999, Booker had convinced his brother, Stevie Ray, to leave the nWo and reunite Harlem Heat. Harlem Heat defeated Bam Bam Bigelow and Kanyon for the WCW World Tag Team titles at Road Wild. They lost the WCW World Tag Team titles to Barry and Kendall Windham on August 23, [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nitro/1999.html 1999 Monday Nitro Results] Online World of Wrestling.] but Harlem Heat regained them about a month later at Fall Brawl.Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.151)] When the Filthy Animals were stripped of the WCW World Tag Team belts due to an injury suffered by Rey Mysterio Jr., the title was put up in a three-way dance at Halloween Havoc. Harlem Heat claimed their tenth WCW World Tag Team title defeating Hugh Morrus and Brian Knobbs and Konnan and Kidman. By late 1999, a female bodybuilder named Midnight had joined Harlem Heat. Stevie neglected her help and started disputing with Booker over her.

Stevie Ray eventually challenged Midnight in a match that decided whether or not she would stay with Harlem Heat. After being defeated with a surprise small package, Stevie Ray turned on both Booker and Midnight to form Harlem Heat, Inc. with Big T, Kash, and J. Biggs. Stevie Ray and Big T dubbed themselves Harlem Heat 2000. Throughout this period, Huffman was referred to simply as Booker, as Harlem Heat 2000, kayfabe, won the rights to the name "T" in a match with Big T against Booker on February 20, 2000 at SuperBrawl X.cite news|author=Power Slam Staff|title=Power Slam Magazine, issue 69|work="Heroes of Wrestling 2" (Superbrawl 2000)|publisher=SW Publishing|date=2000-03-22|pages=23-25] Kidman and Booker T defeated Harlem Heat 2000 (Ray and Big T) at Uncensored 2000.Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.152-153)]

When Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff formed The New Blood, Huffman eventually completely changed his in-ring persona, joining General Rection's military-themed Misfits In Action stable as G.I. Bro, reprising his gimmick from his days in the WWA. He defeated Shawn Stasiak at the Great American Bash in a Boot Camp match. He later returned to the Booker T name.

WCW World Heavyweight Champion (2000–2001)

Huffman was elevated to the main event status in 2000. After WCW booker Vince Russo grew disgruntled with Hulk Hogan's politicking, he fired Hogan during the live broadcast of Bash at the Beach and announced an impromptu match between Jeff Jarrett and Huffman for the World Title. Russo supposedly picked Huffman because he claimed Hogan used his political stroke to keep him out of the Main Event scene. [ [http://www.bookert.net/bookert.html] Dead link|date=October 2008] Huffman won the match, in the process becoming the second ever African American champion in WCW, after Ron Simmons. He was then defeated by Kevin Nash on August 28 on "Nitro". [http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/nitro/2000.html 2000 Monday Nitro Results] Online World of Wrestling.] He regained the title a few weeks later in a steel cage match with Nash at Fall Brawl, but again lost the title, this time to Vince Russo himself in a cage match (Russo was speared out of the cage by Goldberg and won the title), Russo vacated the title and Booker won it for the third time in a San Francisco 49er Box Match against Jeff Jarrett on the October 2 edition of "Nitro".

Booker's next feud was with Scott Steiner, to whom he eventually lost the title in a Straight Jacket steel cage match. Steiner won by TKO when he put an unconscious Booker into the Steiner Recliner at Mayhem. Steiner was WCW's longest reigning champion in years, whilst Booker was briefly out with an injury. Booker returned to the roster and defeated Rick Steiner for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship at Greed, [Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.154)] and on the final episode of "Nitro", defeated Scott Steiner to win the World title for the fourth time.cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/06/22/1098665.html|title=Booker T to play two more years|author=Jason Clevett|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2005-06-22]

Huffman won a total of twenty-three titles in WCW, making him the most decorated athlete in the history of the organization. [ [http://www.bookertonline.com/booker.html Most decorated WCW Champ] ] Booker was also the reigning WCW U.S. Champion and WCW World Champion when he accepted a contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (2001-2007)

The Alliance and aftermath (2001–2002)

After WCW was bought by the World Wrestling Federation in March 2001, Booker T made his debut at the King of the Ring pay-per-view in 2001 attacking WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin during his match, promptly injuring him in his very first move in the WWF. He later turned heel and became a leading member of the The Alliance during the Invasion storyline.cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosB/sep8_bookert-can.html|title=Booker-T overwhelmed by WWF success|author=John F. Molinaro|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2008-06-17|date=2001-09-08] [cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingBiosB/booker_01nov01-can.html|title=Booker T looking beyond Alliance angle|author=Jon Waldman|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2001-11-01] During July 2001, in his debut match in the company, Booker defended his WCW World Heavyweight Championship against Buff Bagwell. At InVasion, The Alliance defeated Team WWF when Steve Austin joined the Alliance. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/010702.html|title=Invasion 2001 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] On July 26, Booker gave up his WCW United States Title and handed it over to Chris Kanyon. He later lost the WCW World title to Kurt Angle, but he went on to win the title back on the July 30 episode of "Raw". Booker kept the title until SummerSlam, when he lost the title to The Rock after feuding with him over the similarity in their gimmicks and their identical finishing moves, the Book End/Rock Bottom.Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.108-110)] Booker T won the WCW World Tag Team Championship for an eleventh time, this time with Test, and he also had a WWF Tag Team Championship reign with Test. At the Survivor Series, Booker T was eliminated fifth by The Rock after a roll-up and eventually The Alliance was defeated, causing them to disband.

In its aftermath, Booker remained a heel, and he joined forces with Vince McMahon and The Boss Man in December to feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin. After Booker T cost Austin a match against Chris Jericho for the WWF Undisputed Championship at Vengeance, Austin gained revenge by attacking Booker T in a "grocery store" by covering him in food.

Booker T's first WrestleMania appearance was at WrestleMania X8 against Edge. They feuded over who would appear in a fictional Japanese shampoo commercial. When the brand extension was introduced in March, Booker T was drafted to the Raw brand. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/020325.html|title=RAW Results March 25, 2002|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker held the Hardcore Championship twice in May 2002.

Team with Goldust and feud with Evolution (2002–2003)

Goldust began trying to start a tag team with Booker, but Goldust kept costing Booker matches. With the nWo now operating in WWE, Booker T was eventually invited into the faction. His time there was short-lived, when he got kicked out of the group by Shawn Michaels, who believed Booker T was taking away from his own spotlight. Booker then found a partnership with Goldust and the pair teamed to battle the nWo. Booker and Goldust had a title shot against the The Un-Americans (Christian and Lance Storm) at SummerSlam, but The Un-Americans retained after interference from Test.Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.111)] At No Mercy, Booker and Goldust battled Chris Jericho and Christian for the tag titles, but they lost the match with Jericho using the title belt on Goldust.

He spent the rest of 2002 teaming with Goldust. They won the World Tag Team Championship at Armageddon in a Tag Team Elimination match defeating the teams of Christian & Chris Jericho, Lance Storm & William Regal, and the Dudley Boyz. They held the belts for about three weeks, when they lost them to Regal and Storm. Booker and Goldust lost the rematch and decided to go their separate ways. The gimmick for Booker and Goldust was Goldust being a strange, yet dependable ally who Booker eventually warmed up to after initial skepticism. By 2003, however, Booker T's popularity had soared and he amicably separated from Goldust, at Goldust's request, in order to pursue the World Heavyweight Championship. In February 2003, he eliminated The Rock to win a battle royal for the number one contendership, granting him a title shot at WrestleMania XIX. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030224.html|title=RAW Results February 24, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

Booker targeted Evolution after Batista and Randy Orton attacked Booker's former partner, Goldust. Several weeks before WrestleMania, the incumbent champion and Evolution's leader, Triple H, cut a controversial promo on Booker T in order to gain heat. Triple H downplayed Booker T's WCW success, pointing out that the WCW Championship had been held by non-wrestlers like Vince Russo and actor David Arquette. He implied that Booker T, as a black wrestler, would never win a world championship in WWE. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030303.html|title=RAW Results March 3, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] A week later, Booker got revenge by attacking Triple H in the bathroom, laying him out. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030310.html|title=RAW Results March 10, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker T lost to Triple H at WrestleMania XIX.Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.112-113)] For several weeks, he teamed with Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash in a feud against Triple H, Ric Flair, and Chris Jericho. At Backlash, Booker's team lost when Triple H pinned Nash after a sledgehammer shot.

Afterward, Booker set his sights on the Intercontinental Championship. After losing a battle royal for the title at Judgment Day, Booker feuded with the champion Christian. After a few matches, Booker defeated him to become the new champion.cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/women's/|title=Championship History: Intercontinental|publisher=WWE.com|accessdate=2008-04-18] About a month later, because of a nagging back injury, Booker lost the Intercontinental title back to Christian at an untelevised house show. [cite web|url=http://www.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/08/16/162182.html|title=Final chapter for Booker T?|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|author=TJ Madigan|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2003-08-16] Booker, meanwhile, was out of action until September.

Return and US Championship (2003–2004)

When Booker returned in 2003, he announced he would be on Team Austin at the Survivor Series which would determine if Eric Bischoff or Steve Austin would be the General Manager of "Raw". [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/031020.html|title=RAW Results October 20, 2003|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker's team lost the match, so Austin lost his position as Co-General Manager of "Raw".Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.114)] Booker then entered a feud with Mark Henry, the man who eliminated him in the Survivor Series match. Booker defeated Henry at Armageddon.

On the February 16, 2004 edition of "Raw", Booker T and Rob Van Dam defeated Ric Flair and Batista for the World Tag Team Championship. Booker and Van Dam held the titles for a month, even defending the belts at WrestleMania XX in an 8-Man tag team match. They lost the belts eight days later on "Raw" back to Flair and Batista.

On March 23, 2004 he was "traded" (along with the Dudley Boyz) to the "SmackDown!" brand in exchange for Triple H, but as part of a new storyline, he appeared unhappy with the move. Later on, Booker T bragged about how he was the biggest star on "SmackDown!" and turned heel when he began to feud with The Undertaker. Booker tried to utilize magic in order to try and overcome his "supernatural" foe; [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040506.html|title=SmackDown! Results May 6, 2004|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] however, it did nothing to prevent him from losing to the Undertaker at Judgment Day.

In mid-2004, Booker T set his sights on the United States Championship along with its champion, John Cena. After Cena got on the bad side of General Manager Kurt Angle, he did his best to get the title away from Cena. Cena successfully defended the title at The Great American Bash in a four-way match against Booker, René Duprée, and Rob Van Dam.Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p.115-117)] After General Manager Kurt Angle stripped Cena of his title, [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040708.html|title=SmackDown! Results July 8, 2004|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker took advantage of the situation and won an eight-man elimination match to become United States Champion. Booker and Cena participated in a best-of-five series of matches for the United States Championship. It culminated at No Mercy, where Cena won the title.

Feuds (2004–2006)

On October 21, "SmackDown!" General Manager Theodore Long placed Booker in a six man tag team match with Rob Van Dam and Rey Mysterio against John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), René Duprée, and Kenzo Suzuki. JBL expected Booker to betray his partners, but instead Booker pinned him, thus turning face again. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/041021.html|title=SmackDown! Results October 21, 2004|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker T faced JBL for the WWE Championship at the Survivor Series on November 14, but lost after he was hit in the head with the championship belt. The next night, Booker T demanded a rematch, citing Orlando Jordan's interference. He was then joined by Eddie Guerrero and The Undertaker who also wanted a shot at JBL's title, prompting Theodore Long to make a Fatal Fourway match for the WWE Championship at Armageddon. Once again, Booker failed to win the title, as JBL retained it.cite news|author=Martin, Finn|title=Power Slam Magazine, issue 127|work=WWE Armageddon (2004)|publisher=SW Publishing|date=2005-01-21|page=24]

He then briefly teamed with Eddie Guerrero and feuded with Heidenreich. Booker won a 30-Man Battle Royal dark match at WrestleMania 21 last eliminating Raw's Viscera and "Masterpiece" Chris Masters. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/wrestlemania21.html|title=WrestleMainia 21 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Subsequently, Booker was part of the tournament to name a new number one contender and made it to the Final Four. After Kurt Angle eliminated Booker, he returned the favor, costing Angle the match against JBL. The storyline then turned to a sexual nature, as Angle began stalking Booker's new wife, Sharmell. Booker defeated Angle at Judgment Day. On the May 26 edition of "SmackDown!", Booker participated in a "Winners Choice" Battle Royal, with the winner choosing his opponent for the next week. Kurt Angle won and wanted to wrestle Sharmell. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050526.html|title=SmackDown! Results May 26, 2005|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker protested, and the match was made into a Handicap match. Angle won by pinning Sharmell in a sexual position. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050602.html|title=SmackDown! Results June 2, 2005|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] The next week, Booker gained revenge on Angle, defeating him with a Scissors Kick. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050609.html|title=SmackDown! Results June 9, 2005|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

On June 30, JBL defeated Christian, The Undertaker, Chris Benoit, and Booker T. During the match, Booker got specifically involved with Christian. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050630.html|title=SmackDown! Results June 30, 2005|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker later defeated Christian at The Great American Bash. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/greatamericanbash05.html|title=Great American Bash 2005 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker T began teaming with Chris Benoit, eying the United States Championship again. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050728.html|title=SmackDown! Results July 28, 2005|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050804.html|title=SmackDown! Results August 4, 2005|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Meanwhile, after a series of matches with MNM, Sharmell introduced some heelish characteristics unknown to Booker. Benoit was allowed to pick his next challenger to see who would face him at No Mercy, so Booker, Christian, and Orlando Jordan tried to impress Benoit by winning matches. He could not choose, so he made it a Fatal Four-way for No Mercy, where Benoit successfully defended his title. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/nomercy05.html|title=No Mercy 2005 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] On the October 2 edition of "SmackDown!", Booker T defeated Benoit for the United States Championship, due to an unseen assist from Sharmell. Theodore Long later showed footage of Sharmell interfering in Booker's matches. Later, Booker and Sharmell went to apologize to Benoit and give him a rematch, but instead, he attacked Benoit, officially turning heel once again. Booker then boasted that he had been fully aware of what Sharmell had been doing and had been playing dumb to fool everyone. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/051028.html|title=SmackDown! Results October 28, 2005|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

On November 25, Booker T fought against Benoit for the United States Championship. The match ended when Benoit superplexed Booker and two referees made a three count on either competitor, claiming that their wrestler had won. Booker was stripped of the belt by Theodore Long, because of the confusion of who won since they pinned each other at the same time. Long decided to put Benoit and Booker against each other in a best of seven series, just as the two had in their WCW days. Booker took an early 3-0 lead. In a must win match during Armageddon, Benoit was able to defeat Booker T to bring the series to 3-1. At a house show on December 2, however, Booker was injured, and he did not wrestle again until after the "Best of Seven" series with Benoit was completed. Booker was scheduled to face Benoit in Match 5 of the Best of Seven Series at the "SmackDown!" tapings the following night. At the beginning of the show, General Manager Theodore Long said that Booker would have to . Both Booker and Benoit protested, with Benoit not wanting a cheap victory. Booker managed to persuade Long to allow him to choose a stand-in for the matches. Booker selected Randy Orton, over an unhappy Orlando Jordan, as his stand-in. Benoit was able to beat Orton in two matches. Orton, however, was able to defeat Benoit in the final match to win the series and the title for Booker T, who held the title until No Way Out where Benoit won it back.

After losing the title, Booker was involved in a feud with The Boogeyman, who continually scared Booker and Sharmell over the next few months. The feud culminated in a match at WrestleMania 22 on April 2, where both Booker and Sharmell lost to the Boogeyman in a handicap match. The feud came to an end on the April 7 edition of "SmackDown!" where it was announced that Booker and his wife had taken out a restraining order on the Boogeyman.

King Booker (2006–2007)

Booker next entered the King of the Ring tournament on "SmackDown!", advancing through to the finals due to a bye as his semi-final opponent, Kurt Angle, was unable to wrestle. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060512.html|title=SmackDown! Results May 12, 2006|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] The finals were held at Judgment Day where Booker defeated Bobby Lashley.cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/10/16/4580811.html|title=Booker and Sharmell released by WWE|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=October 16, 2007] Upon winning the King of the Ring tournament, Booker T changed his ring name to King Booker. Under this name, he went on to form "King Booker's Court", which included Queen Sharmell, William Regal, and Finlay. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060526.html|title=SmackDown! Results May 26, 2006|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Over time, King Booker began to act as if he were a real king of "The SmackDown! Kingdom", including mannerisms and appearance of a typical English-style king. His new persona included wearing a crown and speaking in a faux British accent. [cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/10/01/1930627.html|title=Booker's fit to be a king|author=Tim Baines|publisher=Ottawa Sun|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2006-10-01] This was intentionally broken whenever he was riled up, which always drove him to making a tirade in the former Booker T style. King Booker even went as far as having Lashley kiss his royal feet. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060602.html|title=SmackDown! Results June 2, 2006|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] As a result, Lashley defeated King Booker in a steel cage match to retain the United States title. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060630.html|title=SmackDown! Results June 30, 2006|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

King Booker won a #1 Contenders battle royal to win a World title shot at The Great American Bash. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/060707.html|title=SmackDown! Results July 7, 2006|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker won the World Heavyweight Championship from Rey Mysterio at the event, after Chavo Guerrero hit Mysterio with a steel chair. [cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2006/07/23/1699129.html|title=Booker reigns after the Bash|author=Brian Elliott|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2006-07-24] This win caused him to proclaim himself as the "King of the World". [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/greatamericanbash06.html|title=Great American Bash 2006 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] He is also the first African American World Heavyweight Champion in WWE history. [cite web|url=http://www.bookertonline.com/booker.html|title=Booker T. Huffman Bio|publisher=Booker T Online.com]

King Booker then entered a rivalry with Batista and lost by disqualification to him at SummerSlam. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/summerslam06.html|title=SummerSlam 2006 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] However, he defeated Batista at No Mercy in a match that also included Finlay and Bobby Lashley. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/nomercy06.html|title=No Mercy 2006 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

In spite of the break-up of his Court, King Booker defeated Batista on the October 20 edition on "SmackDown", due to interference from WWE Champion John Cena and then ECW World Champion Big Show. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/061020.html|title=SmackDown! Results October 20, 2006|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At Cyber Sunday, King Booker retained his World Heavyweight Championship after Kevin Federline interfered and hit John Cena with the World title belt. King Booker became the "Champion of Champions" in a match that marked the first time in which the World Champions from "Raw", "SmackDown", and "ECW" fought against each other. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/cybersunday06.html|title=Cyber Sunday 2006 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Batista on November 26 at Survivor Series. After losing the World title, Booker then feuded alongside former royal court member Finlay against Batista and John Cena, which led up to Armageddon where they lost. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/armageddon06.html|title=Armageddon 2006 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

While competing in the Royal Rumble match, Booker was eliminated by Kane. A frustrated Booker then returned to the ring illegally and eliminated Kane. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/royalrumble07.html|title=Royal Rumble 2007 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] This started a short feud between the two resulting in a match at No Way Out, which Kane won. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/nowayout07.html|title=No Way Out 2007 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] King Booker then won a Money in the Bank qualifying match, defeating Kane (with assistance from The Great Khali) and earned himself a spot in the match at WrestleMania 23. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070223.html|title=SmackDown! Results February 23, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At WrestleMania, Matt Hardy set up Sharmell for a Twist of Fate during the Money in the Bank match with the briefcase in King Booker's grasp - thus forcing him to choose between a guaranteed title shot and his wife. He chose to defend his Queen and lost the match. On the April 6 edition of "SmackDown!", Booker attempted to take revenge. However, he lost the match against Matt Hardy, and Sharmell declared her disappointment in him and slapped him. In an attempt to impress his Queen, King Booker then attacked The Undertaker but was Tombstoned on an announce table. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070406.html|title=SmackDown! Results April 6, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker was then taken off television to deal with a knee injury.

On the June 11 edition of "Raw", King Booker (along with Queen Sharmell) was drafted from "SmackDown!" to "Raw" as part of the WWE Draft. On July 16, King Booker came to the ring using Triple H's theme music "The King of Kings", even using his video. King Booker then declared that neither Triple H nor Jerry Lawler could be known as "The King". Booker then began a feud with Lawler, defeating him on the August 6 edition of "Raw" where the loser had to crown the winner the next week. [cite web|url= http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070806.html|title=RAW Results August 6, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] When the time came, Lawler refused, declaring that Triple H was still a king and announcing that King Booker would battle Triple H at SummerSlam. Booker then attacked Lawler, throwing him into the ring post and hitting him with a TV monitor. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/070813.html|title=RAW Results August 13, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At SummerSlam, Booker lost to the returning Triple H. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/summerslam07.html|title=SummerSlam Results 2007|publisher= Online World of Wrestling] On the August 27 edition of Raw, Booker had his last match in the WWE against WWE Champion John Cena in a non-title match which he lost by disqualification when Randy Orton interfered.

In August, he was linked to Signature Pharmacy, a company thought to be distributing performance enhancing drugs.cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/12/08/4714607.html|title=WWE departure left Booker T feeling unwell|author=Nick Tywalk|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2007-12-11] He was then suspended by WWE for violating its Wellness Policy. He denied using any drugs and being a customer of Signature Pharmacy. In October 2007, Booker and Sharmell were both released from their WWE contracts.

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2007–present)

At the Genesis pay-per-view on November 11, 2007, Huffman debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) as Sting's mystery partner in a tag team match against Kurt Angle and Kevin Nash for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, [cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/11/28/4692110.html|title=Booker has long-term plans as "T" in TNA|author=Nick Tywalk|publisher=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=2008-04-17|date=2007-11-28] reverting back to his Booker T gimmick. His wife, Sharmell also debuted, interfering in the match on Booker and Sting's behalf when Karen Angle interfered on behalf of Kurt Angle and Nash. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnappv/genesis07.html|title=Genesis 2007 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling]

On the November 29 edition of "TNA Impact!" Booker said he came to TNA to test his skills against the young talent, take TNA to a higher level, and win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. Robert Roode came to the ring and challenged Booker to a match, claiming he has been pushed down by washed-up wrestlers and has-beens. Booker won his "Impact!" debut match, but afterwards, Christian Cage and Robert Roode beat down Booker until Kaz made the save. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnaimpact/071129.html|title=Impact! Results November 29, 2007|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At Turning Point, Booker and Kaz defeated Roode and Cage when Booker pinned Cage. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnappv/turningpoint07.html|title=Turning Point 2007 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Booker and Sharmell won a mixed tag team match against Robert Roode and Ms. Brooks at Final Resolution. After the match, Roode punched Sharmell in the face, kayfabe breaking her jaw. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnappv/finalresolution08.html|title=Final Resolution 2008 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At Against All Odds, Booker and Roode wrestled to a double-countout as they brawled to the parking lot. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnappv/againstallodds08.html|title=Against All Odds 2008 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] Roode defeated Booker in strap match at Destination X after hitting Booker with a pair of handcuffs. [cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnappv/destinationx08.html|title=Destination X 2008 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] At Lockdown, Booker T and Sharmell defeated Robert Roode and Payton Banks after Sharmell pinned Banks with a roll-up.

He turned heel for the first time in TNA at Sacrifice by attacking Christian Cage and Rhino from behind with a steel chair. [ [http://www.tnawrestlingnews.com/headlines/212553933.shtml TNA News: "TNA Sacrifice Results (5/11) - Huge Change, More!" ] ] Booker then competed in the King of the Mountain match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at Slammiversary. He was seconds away from winning the match, when Kevin Nash stopped him and performed a Jackknife Powerbomb; Samoa Joe would later go on to win the match. On the next "Impact", Booker challenged Joe to a title match at Victory Road, which Joe would later accept. The match ended in a draw after Sharmell replaced the referee and counted after the match was already over. At Hard Justice, Samoa Joe defeated Booker after a guitar shot, thus reclaiming physical possession of the title belt, which Booker had kept after Victory Road.

In wrestling

*Finishing and signature moves
**"Book End"cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20070717045949/www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/bookert/bio/|title=King Booker's bio|publisher=WWE|accessdate=2008-07-16] (Kneeling side slam)
**Scissors kick / Axe kick
**"110th Street Slam"citeweb|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/booker-t.html|accessdate=2008-09-17|title=Booker T profile|publisher=Online World of Wrestling] (High-impact delayed spinebuster)
**Arm twist followed by a hook kick
**Diving forearm smash
**"Houston Hangover" / "Harlem Hangover"(Diving somersault leg drop)
**Multiple kick variations
***Jumping high-angle hook kick to a running opponent
***"Harlem Sidekick" (Jumping superkick)
***"Heat Seeker"' (Missile dropkick)
***Spinning crescent kick
***Spinning heel kick
**Running knee drop, with theatrics
**Sidewalk slam
**"Spinarooni"cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_/ai_91561868|title=All he's asking for is a little respect: Booker T interview|publisher=Wrestling Digest|author=Chad Johnson|accessdate=2008-04-16|month=October | year=2002] (Breakdance windmill)
**Sunset flip out of a corner

*Managers
**The Boss Man
**Midnight
**Sister Sherri
**Col. Robert Parker
**Shane McMahon
**Jacqueline
**Sharmell

*Signature taunts
** Stares at his hand with all five fingers out and spread apart (To make reference to him holding the WCW World Heavyweight Championship belt on five different occasions) - As Booker T
** Thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers down, pinky up (As a sign of royalty, simultaneously showing his sixth title reign) - As King Booker and as heel Booker T in TNA.

*Entrance themes
**"Rap Sheet" by Rene De Wael and Didier Leglise (1991-2001:WCW) (2001-2006:WWF/E)
**"Can You Dig It?" performed by Booker T, music by Jim Johnston (2004:WWE)
**"Dead White Guys" from the VideoHelper Music Production Library (2006-2007:WWE)
**"Rap Sheet (TNA Remix)" by Dale Oliver (2007-present)

Championships and accomplishments

*Global Wrestling Federation
**GWF Tag Team Championship (3 times) - with Stevie Ray

* Las Vegas Pro Wrestling
**LVPW UWF Heavyweight Championship [ [http://www.bodyslamming.com/wwe/bookert.html] ]

*Pro Wrestling Illustrated
**PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (1998) [citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiimp.htm|accessdate=2008-07-01|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Most Improved Wrestler of the Year|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive]
**PWI Most Inspirational Wrestler of the Year (2000) [citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiinsp.htm|accessdate=2008-07-01|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Inspirational Wrestler of the Year |publisher=Wrestling Information Archive]
**PWI Tag Team of the Year (1995, 1996) [citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwittoty.htm|accessdate=2008-07-01|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners Tag Team of the Year|publisher=Wresting Information Archive] - with Stevie Ray
**PWI ranked him #62 of the Top 100 Tag Teams of the PWI Years with Stevie Ray in 2003 [citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi100tg.htm|accessdate=2008-07-01|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top 100 Tag Teams of the PWI Years|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive]
**PWI ranked him #5 of the 500 best singles wrestlers of the year in the PWI 500 in 2000 [citeweb|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi50004.htm|accessdate=2008-07-01|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated Top 500 - 2004|publisher=Wrestling Information Archive]

* World Championship Wrestling
**WCW Championship (4 times)
**WCW World Tag Team Championship (10 times) - with Stevie Ray
**WCW World Television Championship (6 times)

* World Wrestling Federation | World Wrestling Entertainment
**WCW Championship (1 time)³
** WCW United States Championship ( 1 time)
**WCW Tag Team Championship (1 time)⁴ - with Test
** WWF Hardcore Championship (2 times) [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/hard/|title=Championship History: Hardcore|publisher=WWE.com|accessdate=2008-04-18]
** WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time)
**WWE United States Championship (3 times)
**WWF/E World Tag Team Championship (3 times)cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/|title=Championship History: World Tag Team|publisher=WWE.com|accessdate=2008-04-18] - with Test (1), Goldust (1), and Rob Van Dam (1)
**King of the Ring (2006)
**Champion of Champions

*Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards³Booker's fifth WCW World Heavyweight title reign happened under the WWF umbrella during the Invasion Storyline.
⁴Booker's eleventh WCW World Tag Team title reign happened under the WWF umbrella during the Invasion Storyline.

Other media

Booker has appeared in commercials for Chef Boy-ar-dee Beefaroni, 1-800-COLLECT, and "Swanson Hungry Man" TV dinners.

In 2000, Booker appeared in the film "Ready to Rumble" as himself. He has appeared in an episode of "Charmed", called "Wrestling With Demons" alongside Buff Bagwell and Scott Steiner. In 2001, along with several other WWF superstars, Booker competed on an episode of the "Weakest Link", being eliminated second from the show. He also has appeared on Comedy Central and MTV.

On April 21, 2007, Booker began hosting a radio show entitled "Tea Time with King Booker" on KBME 790 AM in Houston.cite news| author = Hunt, Jen| url = http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/bookerradio| title= King Booker rules the airwaves| date = 2007-04-19| accessdate = 2007-04-20] On November 5, 2007, he appeared on an episode of "Family Feud" with several other WWE superstars. [cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/news/familyfeudpreview|first=Kara A.|last=Medalis|publisher=WWE|title=Tune in to WWE week on 'Family Feud'|accessdate=2007-11-04|date=October 30, 2007]

Personal life

Booker is also a former amateur boxing competitor. He was able to show some of his boxing skills in a commercial for 1-800-COLLECT.

He and brother Lane opened a wrestling school in Houston in 2005.

Booker married his first wife Levestia on February 21, 1996. Booker presented her to the "WCW Monday Nitro" crowd the night after his WCW Championship title win at WCW Bash at the Beach 2000. Levestia was also used to further the feud between himself and Jeff Jarrett when Jarrett hit her in the head with a guitar. However, they divorced on May 8, 2001. [citeweb|url=http://www.familytreelegends.com/records/31992?c=search&first=Booker&last=Huffman Family Tree Legends|title=Booker Huffman family tree. ]

Booker has a son from a previous relationship, Brandon, with whom he has a strained relationship due to his time spent on the road. [Stated in the March 2002 issue of WWE Raw Magazine and in the book WWE Unscripted.] Booker married his girlfriend of five years, Sharmell Sullivan, on February 5, 2005. [citeweb|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0838341/bio|title=Sharmell Sullivan IMDB] Booker T, who was planning to retire in early 2005 due to a travel schedule keeping him away from his home life, credited much of his new found success in 2006 to his second wife who would join him on-screen and on the road. [Lennon, P. "Why i love to be King" "Daily Star" (Friday, August 25, 2006), page 56]

Notes

References

*cite news|author=PWI Staff|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work="Wrestling’s historical cards"|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007

External links

* [http://www.bookertonline.com/ Official Website]
* [http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/363/37/ TNA Profile]
*myspace|pwahouston|Booker T
*imdb name|0400259