Breaking News: King Booker Quits.

[Y 2 Jake]

In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reports that Robert Huffman (King Booker) quit WWE when he was told that he was to be suspended for 60 days, as a punishment to the Signature Pharmacy bust. He was believed to have failed a Wellness Program test before, hence the 60 days suspension instead of 30.

While WWE is still trying to negotiate Huffman's staying with them, they're going on under the impression he's done. The two sides had been having troubles recently, with a major setback being John Laurinaitis' call to go with Florida for a developmental territory - where WWE would start from scratch - instead of going with Booker's already established PWA, which WWE had been loaning wrestlers to. After they made the call to stop that, Booker went to his friends at TNA and booked them for his shows instead, which didn't sit so well with anyone backstage, but they couldn't say much having pulled WWE talent from PWA.

Booker is pretty much set financially and has wanted out of wrestling for a while. At age 42, he's accomplished a lot, and thanks to his hip hop store doing well in Houston, and his two wrestling schools up and running, there's really no need for him to stick around.

 

[RatedR_HBK11]

Good for Booker, having great success outside of the ring shows that he really doesn't need to be somewhere that he's being misused. Although it pains me to see him go like that as I've always been a fan of Book, he's got tons of other things to focus on. He deserves more for what he's done in the world of wrestling, but I guess he's happy with the decision he's made.




Too bad he didn't revert back to Booker T before he left

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Wow this thread isn't as popular as I though it would be.

I hope and I prey that Booker goes to TNA. Unlike Steiner, Test, Tomko etc. Booker still has something to offer. He can still work, his mike skills are good, and he's willing to put people over. Booker realises that he isn't hurt by losses. And he carries enough name recognition to help TNA. He wouldn't be seen as a WWE reject.

 

[justinsayne]

I glad kinda, he really hasn't done much lately except bitch and complain, and I was tired of that stupid King Booker gimmick, it was just annoying, and now that he's done with WWE I'm guessing we will never see that gimmick from him again, and thank god for that, and he got to go out on SummerSlam against one of the greats, Triple H, not a bad way to end you career if you ask me

 

[Mexican Geek]

i really dont see Booker on TNA, despite he is indeed in great shape. I doubt that a TNA endevour would be the answer. I see Booker full time into his PWA promotion, and having major success.

 

[A.J.]

This is a bit shocking but you could see it coming as Booker was upset at first about going to RAW and then his little rant about not wanting to go to ECW. So it sucks to see him go as I have always liked Booker in the ring and lets face it he has many things going on outisde of wrestling with his school and store so hes is ste up well.

I'm with Jake i be happy to see Booker in TNA as he still has a lot to offer and he will job to the younger guys and I think he could TNA some help in getting younger guys over by jobbing to them. He did what he could in WWE as on RAW he would never get a real title shot or main event status so best to Booker.

 

[Lil Wes]

Not really all that shocked. He's been bitching for awhile now and it was just a matter of time if all those reports were true. He's had a long career. 42 now. I wouldn't mind seeing him in TNA but more than likely he will just call it quits and move on with his school, promotion. I'll miss the King Bookah gimmick but with him leaving it's good. Another oldie out. Time to make for some new room. It'll be interesting to see what he decides to do.

 

[mikeRC]

im pretty upset by this because Booker T was a legend. i'd hate seeing him in TNA because TNA has been worse than WWE lately with the shit storylines. i hope that WWE get him back.

 

[LipstickAndBruises]

I'm partially shocked. Seems kinda hissy fit-ish to me but whatever. He didnt wanna leave Smackdown (odd because even Smackdown wants to leave Smackdown for Raw...ya know) and then the suspension. He's a good solid preformer and his King gimmick was annoying but that was the point of the whole thing. He's looks awesome for 42 and is way precise in the ring so I could definately see some TNA time in his future but it seems like he's gonna concentrate on running his own shit and whatnot. Good for him I guess.

Silly WWE pissing both Booker and Ric Flair off.

 

[speedy316]

Should have got rid of the dumb king booker gimmick long ago! Complains too much as well first he doesnt want to go to Raw then he says he is happy on Raw! Plus i think that while a few old hands on the roster allow the young guys to progress quicker and further, the more old boys you have just fills up to many roster spots that you could fill with developing talent. (Sorry but Hacksaw Duggan i believe is one of those people!)

 

[Mexican Geek]

So, how you guys think the storyline would be?

King Booker fired because he beat Cena along with RKO at RAW when the Cena 's dad thing or maybe he suffered an atack backstage and that was it.

I really dont see how they're going to make this thing looks good. Maybe his name just will fade period, that would be the worst idea though.

 

[Papa Shango]

I'm really not suprised at all. If he didn't quit, WWE probably would have fired him, complaining about changes in the wellness policy, as well as being mad about his wellness violation. It was becoming pretty clear that Booker T would always be one of the guys would never have respect for the rules. WWE can't have that these days. I always liked Booker, but if he can't act professionally, then he's gotta go. It's what I don't like about Batista also. No class, no professionalism at all. Hopefully, Booker will change his attitude and come back. But I doubt it. At age 42, it's highly unlikely that he can become a different person.

 

[Deus1138]

I'm not going to miss him. He looks and sounds like an idiot. I had to turn the channel during his stupid promos and interviews. He's not an asset to the company. There's lots of guys just as big and cut who have a lot more charisma and can cut a much better interview.

 

[Zander]

I'm really surprised that people on here are saying they don't mind Booker leaving. I feel this is a bad bad thing as King Booker is an awesome wrestler in my opinion and could really do with keeping him on there books.

Yeah the gimmick does become a little tiresome but Booker definitely still has plenty to give in the ring and will be a huge miss in my opinion if he has indeed left for good.

 

[Rokitka]

The King Booker gimmick was the only funny segements in the WWE. As for TNA? I don't see it happening, he's probably just going to stick to his promotion, schools, etc.

But if he did go to TNA, I think he would bring over some fans, much more than Kurt Angle I would think. But what's really the point for him to go to TNA? The positives for TNA are obvious, but what's he get out of this?

 

[IrishCanadian25]

Jake, I half-agree with you. Booker T still has A LOT to offer, especially in terms of his ability to train and mentor young stars - especially young black stars (a point I make due to the stirring WWE / Racism debate recently).

And while I feel his quitting hurts WWE (he was a top notch star who put on great matches) I am happy he is in a situation where he can walk away successful, financially secure, and above all else HEALTHY. We don't want another Benoit situation, so if he feels his heart isn't into it, then don't push it.

 

[mochalman]

well I am so glad Booker T quit WWE it was coming alright and its about time he never won the Heavyweight Title and anyway to treat an afro american wrestler look at Ron Simmons he never won the heavyweight title either damn that sux! Lets hope Edge quits WWE and joins his tag team partner friend Christian hell even y2J should head to TNA and I hope Carlito quits also!

i am be stupid or something but didnt king booker have a reign as champ on SD? sure SD! isnt the top brand in the WWE but he still was champ. edge isnt leaving wwe anytime soon and he shouldn't. 1) edge will be top wrestler when hes back 2) tna cant afford him. Y2J isnt going to TNA, not now, not anytime soon. TNA isnt afforing Y2J a seven figure deal are they? didnt think so. carlito isnt going anywhere soon. he hasnt even established himself that much in wwe. sure he was won the IC belt but not much after that.


back on king bookaaaaaaaaa. hes done with wrestling, sure he might lace up his boots once or twice for his wrestling promotion but thats it. he said for many years that his back has been hurting and its just going to get worst. thank god a wrestler has enough courage to walk away from wrestling and not be there till hes 60 like some people....

 

[Skillz]

I don't really mind him leaving. I've never really been a big fan of Booker T. He's a very solid worker, but not really a great wrestler. As a singles wrestler, he only ever had good matches against Chris Benoit. Although he was never used to his potential, he never had a "great" match in WWE.

 

[Rany Orton]

Is this legit? I have a problem believing some of the rumors on the internet.

But if this is legit, I'm not sure if it's that big of loss for WWE..his gimmick was getting stale and he lost all of his "King" status when he lost his King vs. King match didn't he? Would've been a great time to bring back his old gimmick. Eh, we'll find out the ruth soon enough.

 

[RikRaines]

Just because Booker T has "quit" WWE, it DOES NOT mean he will be let out of his contract. That is a choice Vince McMahon gets to make. So sure Booker can up and quit, but Vince can make the choice to have him sit at home and not be able to work anywhere.

That being said. Even if Vince let's him out of his contract. Booker will still have to wait for his no compete clause to finish up before he is able to make an apperance in TNA; that's if he is willing to work for TNA instead of focusing more on his own promotion.

If Booker goes to TNA, it will be a nice added draw for them, but it will still not put TNA any where near running with the WWE.

 

["THE FIERCE ONE" MIKE W]

Great for booker, WWE is a sinking ship right now and everyone needs to get of before it fully submerges. With all of their top talent being either suspended, or injured it seems to be the end, of course they will rebound so this statement seems to conflict with my previous one. Wheres Ted Turner when you need him. On another note when the hell is Ted Turner going to buy TNA? He could have a year ago since the contract he signed expired. But anyway... Ive always said that if i owned TNA i would sign Booker T give him a heel, WCW, short haired, gangsta gimmick and give him the belt. He might be done for good but I just hope he dicides to go to TNA.

 

[RikRaines]

Of course Robert Huffman KingBooker is heading to TNA Wrestling along with Ric Flair and Christina Jericho if he has balls to go there I mean for Jericho!

You do understand how a business contract works I am hoping. Neither Flair or Booker T, if they have truely quit the WWE can just up and sign a TNA contract or appear on TNA Television/PPV. It would be a breach of their WWE contract (which is still valid, even if they quit) and Vince would be able to sue the pants right off of them. Oh and not to mention, sue the crap right out of TNA, to the point where they would go belly up for allowing them on their programs.

 

[Attack]

I'm a little disappointed about Booker quiting. I was never his biggest fan, but I think he had decent matches and he was good in backstage interviews and skits. But then again this probably looks good for WWE, because in the midsts of congressional hearings, it'll look good to congress if one of the wrestlers quit right after getting busted for roids. So while i'm sad that Booker's leaving, it's good to get rid of a multiple time steroid user.

 

[mean_gene_roberts]

Anything we think is pure speculation. What Booker does is his say. It would make sense for him to concentrate on his school and promotion right now. Or, since he is already on a talent exchange with TNA, it would make further sense to keep that working relationship healthy, as Book's school and promotion both benefits and it serves as a development system for TNA without having to bear the brunt of operation expenses.

And, what if the "former World Champion" that TNA is bringing in is none other than Booker T and this deal has been hatching behind the scenes for weeks. And what name would he use? All names he has used so far are owned by WWE now.

 

[I Suckle Off My Mother]

I could care less that Booker Left. it was about time he retired. and that King Booker Gimmick was good but i hated the theme song he had. what a booring way to make a entrance.