First Ric Flair, now King Booker

[Mr. Nerfect]

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.

[Mr. Nerfect]

You know what, I don't care what anyone says, I would mark out if at No Surrender, Kurt Angle brings out a lawyer who states that Adam "Pacman" Jones has not been physically cleared to wrestle by the NFL, and is likely to sustain an injury, and hence has to be removed. Angle believes it to be a handicap match now, and Sting feels like it isn't fair, but then Ron Killings says he has a back-up partner just in case Angle pulled something like this...*cue Booker T making his TNA debut*

Have the two work as great a tag team match possible between these four (with Sting, Angle, Booker and Killings all being capable, I think you would be surprised) and the end sees Ric Flair run out to the ring (in a suit, as the suits make Flair look classy again) and he goes right after Sting, as Booker finishes off Angle with the Scissors Kick to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship with Ron Killings.

I don't care if it's more ex-WWE/WCW stars in TNA, and if Flair is old, and Booker is getting up there. I would mark out like a little bitch. At least Killings was made a "star" relatively in TNA.

[darkpower]

Personally, I think it is bullshit when something like Kennedy gets suspended for taking steroids (I can't remember if any of these pharmacy things have been proven or confessed to right now) and gets taken off of TV completly, but Randy Orton and Batista get to stay on TV and be in the main event pictures (and in Orton's case, possibly be given the title at Unforgiven).

Someone PLEASE explain this logic to me.

[KingofOldSchool]

Beats me.

I was going to mention the "OMGZ THEY ARE TEG MAIN EVENTERS1!1!" logic.

But then Kennedy was suppose to be revealed as McMahon's son and that probably trumps every other storyline they are doing.

So I dunno that one...

[BigDaddyCool]

Personally, I think it is bullshit when something like Kennedy gets suspended for taking steroids (I can't remember if any of these pharmacy things have been proven or confessed to right now) and gets taken off of TV completly, but Randy Orton and Batista get to stay on TV and be in the main event pictures (and in Orton's case, possibly be given the title at Unforgiven).

Someone PLEASE explain this logic to me.

It is called hypocracy. WWE doesn't have to explain anything to anyone.

[Kane Knight]

Personally, I think it is bullshit when something like Kennedy gets suspended for taking steroids (I can't remember if any of these pharmacy things have been proven or confessed to right now) and gets taken off of TV completly, but Randy Orton and Batista get to stay on TV and be in the main event pictures (and in Orton's case, possibly be given the title at Unforgiven).

Someone PLEASE explain this logic to me.Batista does steroids? :wtf:

[Innovator]

Orton already fessed up to buying the stuff from Signature earlier

[Kane Knight]

So I'm probably alone, but I'm not seeing this as a bad thing. I have no real problem with Booker T, but I would have murdered him to not hear "All Hail King Bookah!" Again from that little cunt on his arm.

[KingofOldSchool]

Orton already fessed up to buying the stuff from Signature earlier

Come on Inno, please tell me you're not buying WWE's sack of shit called damage control?

[Tommy Gunn]

He was never going to get anywhere on Raw anyway. If he stayed on Smackdown it would be different but his career peaked last year with his World title run.

He made me laugh alot and has really got the King Booker gimmick completely nailed.

"I await our joust at the summerslam GAMES!"

[Kane Knight]

Come on Inno, please tell me you're not buying WWE's sack of shit called damage control?

Well, it was being reported well before WWE said anything of the sort, and was assumed that Orton would not be punished again for the same deal.

My real question is, do people who are out on injury get suspended now, or later?

I mean, as much as Edge is "the man" for lying to us and attacking the news (Who got it right) the fans (Who said nothing) and just about everyone else, he was part of this, too. And never punished because "he had a prescription." Like the rest of the guys, of course.

Him and the Hurricane, who claims that he was only following Doctor's orders (Which is doubtless why he went to Signature).

[The MAC]

lol...BOOKER in TNA would be awesome.

COME HITHER TO T.N.A

he could fuckign do a gimmick jousting match with chairs.

[The Power]

The Power does nor care much for King Booker RRRRAAAARRR SNNOOORRRRTTTT

[Pepsi Man]

This comes as absolutely no surprise.

[KingofOldSchool]

Well, it was being reported well before WWE said anything of the sort, and was assumed that Orton would not be punished again for the same deal.

My real question is, do people who are out on injury get suspended now, or later?

I mean, as much as Edge is "the man" for lying to us and attacking the news (Who got it right) the fans (Who said nothing) and just about everyone else, he was part of this, too. And never punished because "he had a prescription." Like the rest of the guys, of course.

Him and the Hurricane, who claims that he was only following Doctor's orders (Which is doubtless why he went to Signature).

Edge and Helms should be suspended too.

Then again how will we know that they actually suspended them?

Since both of them are out with injuries for an extended period of time, they can "suspend" them for 30 days when in all reality they are just using rehab time.

[Jordan]

Maybe Edge and Helms won't get paid for a month.

King Booker will prolly go to TNA, I don't think he will retire yet.

[The One]

I'd imagine that Booker & Flair can't go to TNA for some time. Since they are walking out on their contracts, WWE should have a no compete clause (or Rick Rude clause if you will) written in there.

I'm better we see Booker pop his head up for very rare special occasions for smaller promotions, and eventually Flair will get some kind of on air, but non wrestling role in TNA.

[The MAC]

I just want to see TNA acquire booker and flair and hopefully do something with them. I know I know it's TNA . blah blah but still!

[Pepsi Man]

I'd imagine that Booker & Flair can't go to TNA for some time. Since they are walking out on their contracts, WWE should have a no compete clause (or Rick Rude clause if you will) written in there.

I'm better we see Booker pop his head up for very rare special occasions for smaller promotions, and eventually Flair will get some kind of on air, but non wrestling role in TNA.
Flair I wouldn't be as surprised, as it's been discussed that his allegedly doesn't include anything that would prevent him from signing with another promotion right away, and I could see that with Flair...although you are probably completely right.

[IC Champion]

Booker is awesome, and if he shows up in TNA, I will mark the fuck out.

[IC Champion]

Also, Booker is probably pissed that someone like him is suspended, but people like Batista have been pushed and continue to be pushed to the moon.

[Mr. JL]

Wow, what a year for the WWE.

-Rey Mysterio was already out to start off the year.
-Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Edge & Bobby Lashley all go down due to injury.
-Chris Benoit kills himself and his family.
-Big Show, Rob Van Dam, Ric Flair & King Booker all leave the company.
-Congress investigates the WWE.
-10 Wrestlers suspended for violating the Wellness Policy.

[LoDownM]

Thats terrible news :(

[The MAC]

i'd like to see booker com in as the king of tna...a big fucking procession etc.

[addy2hotty]

Meh, it wasn't like they were going to do much with him.

[Rammsteinmad]

We'll see him in TNA as Booker Tea.

[DAMN iNATOR]

We'll see him in TNA as Booker Tea.

Only if he brings William Regal and some crumpets along would Jim Cornette ever agree to that...:shifty:

But seriously. The funny thing is, I opened this thread expecting to read about how Booker flashed people on an airplane or something.

[The MAC]

well at least we wont hear that annoying bitch say:all hail king boooookhaaa"

[Xero]

Only if he brings William Regal and some crumpets along would Jim Cornette ever agree to that...:shifty:

But seriously. The funny thing is, I opened this thread expecting to read about how Booker flashed people on an airplane or something.
"Can you suck it... GOLD DIGGAAAAA!?!??!"

[Kane Knight]

Edge and Helms should be suspended too.

Then again how will we know that they actually suspended them?

Since both of them are out with injuries for an extended period of time, they can "suspend" them for 30 days when in all reality they are just using rehab time.Isn't it just a little weird that you answered my question with an almost identical question?

[Mercury Bullet]

You know, maybe this is reading too far into things, but I think this speaks of a bigger (and growing) problem within the WWE. Two MAJOR stars quitting this close together. The backstage area must be chaos and moral must be at an all time low. These guys are frustrated to the point of just giving up and this could be horrible for professional wrestling altogether. I hope this is just two isolated incidents (with Flair and Booker) but I'm afraid it is something much bigger.

[Kane Knight]

Wow, what a year for the WWE.

-Rey Mysterio was already out to start off the year.
-Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Edge & Bobby Lashley all go down due to injury.
-Chris Benoit kills himself and his family.
-Big Show, Rob Van Dam, Ric Flair & King Booker all leave the company.
-Congress investigates the WWE.
-10 Wrestlers suspended for violating the Wellness Policy.

Just to point out, a few of those are kinda redndant.

[The MAC]

wwe is becoming redundant

[Kane Knight]

wwe is becoming retarded.

[br0ken]

was doing steriods always against the rules :?: or just now :?: It seem to me they are punishment against them 4 something they did b 4 when it was ok. Well maybe not ok, but not against any wrtiien down rules.

[thedamndest]

wwe is redundant

[thedamndest]

Seriously though, Booker T showing up on TNA is like a tree falling in the woods.

[Mr. JL]

Just to point out, a few of those are kinda redndant.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa but its my style.

[Kane Knight]

was doing steriods always against the rules :?: or just now :?: It seem to me they are punishment against them 4 something they did b 4 when it was ok. Well maybe not ok, but not against any wrtiien down rules.

Aside from many and/or most of these violations coming after the introduction of the wellness policy and these people breaking the fucking law?

[Fox]

You know, maybe this is reading too far into things, but I think this speaks of a bigger (and growing) problem within the WWE. Two MAJOR stars quitting this close together. The backstage area must be chaos and moral must be at an all time low. These guys are frustrated to the point of just giving up and this could be horrible for professional wrestling altogether. I hope this is just two isolated incidents (with Flair and Booker) but I'm afraid it is something much bigger.


And the list is so much bigger than that. When Benoit got shipped down to ECW, he obviously gave up on his wrestling career with WWE because he committed suicide.

Big Show left earlier in the year, despite constantly being on TV and getting airtime as the ECW World Champion.

RVD left recently because he doesn't have the passion for the business anymore.

Jericho left for more or less the exact same reasons.

HBK doesn't want to return right away because of the state of the WWE.

Flair has been on the fence for months now due to his lack of TV exposure and the complete misdirection of his character.

And now King Booker, one of the most reliable and entertaining workers on WWE TV, is leaving too.


It's like Goldberg's career circa 1998. Who's next?

[Mr. Nerfect]

You know, maybe this is reading too far into things, but I think this speaks of a bigger (and growing) problem within the WWE. Two MAJOR stars quitting this close together. The backstage area must be chaos and moral must be at an all time low. These guys are frustrated to the point of just giving up and this could be horrible for professional wrestling altogether. I hope this is just two isolated incidents (with Flair and Booker) but I'm afraid it is something much bigger.

I didn't want to say that, because I figured they'd be a few retards who would accuse me of saying the WWE is going to go under, but I agree. This can't be a good omen for how things are going backstage.

I can see Booker's PWA promotion becoming kind of a development/sister fed to TNA. He uses TNA talent a lot down there, and by the sounds of it, Booker knows business. He's got a lot going for him, at the moment, and I can see him working occasionally in TNA, as the reduced schedule would be easier, and it's even more money for Booker.

[The One]

I said it a couple of months ago, unless something happens, I would not be surprised to see WWE collapse into itself. Luckily I don't think it's going to go bankrupt, but sooner or later it's going to get harder and harder to get the TV deals, the brand extension will be done away with out of necessity and it's going to (in my estimation) whip itself back into gear.

...that or when McMahon dies, and I'm betting he doesn't last another decade, the entire company gets reshifted and split into territories.

[The Fugitive]

I can see Booker's PWA promotion becoming kind of a development/sister fed to TNA. He uses TNA talent a lot down there, and by the sounds of it, Booker knows business. He's got a lot going for him, at the moment, and I can see him working occasionally in TNA, as the reduced schedule would be easier, and it's even more money for Booker.

I thought WWE was TNA's development terriority.

[Kane Knight]

And the list is so much bigger than that. When Benoit got shipped down to ECW, he obviously gave up on his wrestling career with WWE because he committed suicide.

Big Show left earlier in the year, despite constantly being on TV and getting airtime as the ECW World Champion.

RVD left recently because he doesn't have the passion for the business anymore.

Jericho left for more or less the exact same reasons.

HBK doesn't want to return right away because of the state of the WWE.

Flair has been on the fence for months now due to his lack of TV exposure and the complete misdirection of his character.

And now King Booker, one of the most reliable and entertaining workers on WWE TV, is leaving too.


It's like Goldberg's career circa 1998. Who's next?

Normally, I at least hold the possibility for assumption that someone saying something so patently stupid is joking. This is Fox, however, so I usually assume he means the supid shit that comes from his mouth. He usually does.

Benoit killed himself because he was a sick puppy. I don't know where you're getting this news on Michaels, but you forgot to mention the part with Jericho where he's coming back, and the fact that RVD probably will, too. The more important part of that is that Jericho, while he may have quit a WHILE ago, is coming back, so using him in terms of recent "losses" is inane.

Booker, who is so reliable, he's been threatening to quit off and on for years now, when things don't go his way.

[BigDaddyCool]

I thought WWE was TNA's development terriority.

:rofl: I've never thought of it that way, but yeah.

[BigDaddyCool]

You guys are a bunch of nay sayers. It always looks darkest right before dawn, duh. That is it, they need Dawn Marie ba..no that wouldn't help anything.

Now, WWE has had the kinds of problems before, and have been able to get out of it. The only thing that is different is that now Vince is really become a liability to WWE. For some reason, he thinks he is the answer to WWE's problems. He thinks by featuring himself the entire show, it will boost business. I'm not sure if it would save WWE, but it would be a step in the right direction if Vince was to finally step down, or at least stay off TV and make wrestling about wrestling again.

[6to1]

I said it a couple of months ago, unless something happens, I would not be surprised to see WWE collapse into itself. Luckily I don't think it's going to go bankrupt, but sooner or later it's going to get harder and harder to get the TV deals, the brand extension will be done away with out of necessity and it's going to (in my estimation) whip itself back into gear.

...that or when McMahon dies, and I'm betting he doesn't last another decade, the entire company gets reshifted and split into territories.
i am with you on that i think smackdown will be gone within 6 months and just be raw and the scifi b show hour. 3 hours is all wwe needs a week.

[Dave Youell]

I’m loving this right now to be honest.

Think about it, the last time WWE had an exodus of this stage was around the 1995/96 area when WCW started nicking all of the talent, they had to build new stars.

Add that to the way that they are going to be overly watched by the government ala 1993 with the steroid trials, which caused the pushing of some of the smaller, more deserving guys

So in my mind, they are going to have to start pushing non roided freaks who can actually wrestle, GREAT! What’s the problem?

[BigDaddyCool]

I’m loving this right now to be honest.

Think about it, the last time WWE had an exodus of this stage was around the 1995/96 area when WCW started nicking all of the talent, they had to build new stars.

Add that to the way that they are going to be overly watched by the government ala 1993 with the steroid trials, which caused the pushing of some of the smaller, more deserving guys

So in my mind, they are going to have to start pushing non roided freaks who can actually wrestle, GREAT! What’s the problem?

Which is why Batista has gotten a title shot at every ppv since Wrestlemania. Also, this is just a side note, shouldn't 'Taker be in the hunt since the title was stolen from him?

[Pepsi Man]

Which is why Batista has gotten a title shot at every ppv since Wrestlemania. Also, this is just a side note, shouldn't 'Taker be in the hunt since the title was stolen from him?
Nah, part of Undertaker's character for years is that him chasing or not chasing the title doesn't have to make any sense at all. It's almost never logical when he ends up going after the title (just randomly some authority or whoever being, "And at [insert PPV here], you will be facing THE UNDERTAKER!) and the random heel pissing himself; that or Taker bitching about respect, as the heel himself. It's never logical when he steps down from the chase either. He just all of a sudden has more "personal" things to worry about.

[BigDaddyCool]

Nah, part of Undertaker's character for years is that him chasing or not chasing the title doesn't have to make any sense at all. It's almost never logical when he ends up going after the title (just randomly some authority or whoever being, "And at [insert PPV here], you will be facing THE UNDERTAKER!) and the random heel pissing himself; that or Taker bitching about respect, as the heel himself. It's never logical when he steps down from the chase either. He just all of a sudden has more "personal" things to worry about.

I understand 'Taker don't need no stinkin' title to be over, but still it would make more sense for him to be going after it than Batista for the 8th time since April.

[DAMN iNATOR]

wwe is <STRIKE>becoming</STRIKE> retarded.

Fixed.