Robert Booker Tio Huffman (born March 1, 1965 in Houston, Texas), better known by his stage name of Booker T, is a professional wrestler currently performing for World Wrestling Entertainment on its Smackdown! brand.
Profile
- Height: 6'3" (1.905 m)
- Weight: 250 lbs (113.40 kg)
- Birthday: May 1, 1965
- Hometown: Houston, Texas
- Resides: Harlem, New York
- Trained By: Scott Casey
- Professional Debut: March 1, 1989
- Previous Identities: Booker, G.I. Bro, Kole, Bookerman, Master of the Harlem Hangover
- Previous Manager(s): Gary Hart , Colonel Robert Parker , Sherri Martel, Shane McMahon, Sharmell Sullivan
- Film(s): Ready to Rumble (as himself)
- Quotes: "Save the drama for your mama!"; "Don't hate the player, Hate the game!"; "Tell me you didn't just say that!"; "Can you dig it...SUCKA?!"
- Finishing/Signature Move(s): Booker T Special (Scissors Kick), Book End, Missile Dropkick / Heat Seeker, Harlem/Houston Sidekick (Superkick variation), Harlem/Houston Hangover (Rolling top rope leg drop), 110th Street Slam, Spin-a-rooni (Breakdancing windmill; performed before or after the Scissors Kick)
Career
For much of the 1990s, Booker was one of the mainstays of World Championship Wrestling, winning the promotion's World Heavyweight title 4 times, plus a fifth time after WCW was purchased by WWE. He made his initial impact with his brother Lane (who wrestled as Stevie Ray ) as the tag team of Harlem Heat , which held WCW's World Tag Team title a record 10 times. He also won six World Television titles and one United States Heavyweight title.
His rise from midcard to main event level was due in part to decisions made by WCW management. Even after new head booker Vince Russo started making large changes to the promotion, Booker stayed on a main event level. In a spur of the moment change to one WCW pay per view, Russo fired then World Champion Hulk Hogan and made a new main event between Jeff Jarrett and Booker T for the World title. During his main event run, he started to distance himself in story from his Stevie Ray - who eventually joined the nWo. At one point, Stevie Ray even reformed the Harlem Heat with Big T (better known as the WWF's Ahmed Johnson). For a while, Booker T lost the right to use the "T" for his in-ring name to Big T and the Harlem Heat. During this time, Booker T was simply referred to as "Booker". Soon after this, he completely changed in-ring names for a while, joining General Rection's faction the Misfits in Action as "G.I. Bro".
After WCW folded, Booker joined the World Wrestling Federation (now World Wrestling Entertainment). Since entering the WWE, Booker has held the WWE World Tag Team title as well as the Intercontinental singles title and the Hardcore title. He has also won the WCW Title and WCW Tag titles on WWE television.
In April 2002, Booker opened a retail outlet in Houston; Jam Zone, at 12313 Bellaire Boulevard. The shop sells music, video games and hip-hop gear.
On March 22, 2004 Booker T was traded from the RAW brand along with the Dudley Boyz to the Smackdown! brand for Triple H. After turning heel, Booker T would go on to win Smackdown's WWE US Title (formerly WCW's US title).
Booker T was set to face John 'Bradshaw' Layfield for the WWE Championship at the Survivor Series pay-per-view on November 14, 2004. Booker lost the match after getting hit on the head with the championship belt.
In March 2005, Booker & Stevie Ray opened the Booker T & Stevie Ray Pro Wrestling Academy in Houston.
Titles /Accomplishments