How I would book Booker T

[Guest iamsherm]

I will warn you now: I began typing and just didn't know when to quit, so this will be a little long...

 

Booker T seems to be in line for his biggest push in his WWE tenure, so inspired by this thread in the WWE folder, here is how I would book him for the next few months.

 

Ever since the IC and World Title were unified on the RAW brand, World Title contenders seemingly have no credibility when feuding with Triple H (for example, Bubba Ray Dudley and a few others that I'm blanking on right now). Stop me if the IC title WAS still around back then, but it would have done Bubba wonders had the IC title been around so he could win that and look like a legitimate contender when time to fight HHH. Therefore, I think Booker T should win the Intercontinental Title before winning the World Title so his reign doesn't look like such a fluke.

 

Here's how I would book it beginning at the RAW after No Way Out:

 

Booker T kicks off the show by entering the ring and calling out HHH. He blames Triple H for hurting his friend Goldust and says HHH has been running roughshod over RAW for too long.

 

Booker challenges HHH for a match that night, however HHH declines like the cowardly bastard that he is. Instead, he sends Batista and Randy Orton to go down and kick Booker's ass (insert your favorite dastardly heel beatdown here) for him. Scott Steiner runs out and saves Booker once more, this time focusing his attention on Batista to set up a match at Wrestlemania (yeah, it would probably suck but oh well). The damage is done, however, as Booker is carted off on a stretcher not to be seen from for the rest of the night and the week after that. I realize this kind of reeks of the Rock-Hogan build up from last year's Wrestlemania, but it was that good.

 

Fast forward three weeks (March 10th, 2003) to the main event of RAW as some jobber (preferably Maven since I'm such a mark for him) takes on Triple H in a non-title "tune-up" for whoever he is to wrestle at Wrestlemania. HHH dominates, of course, until the overrun when Booker T runs in and lays out HHH so Maven can get the upset win. We go off the air with Booker smiling and Triple H pissed. Having Flair, Batista, and Orton tied up in some way during the match (to prevent them from saving Triple H) would be a nice touch.

 

The next week, HHH comes out at the one hour mark. This time he calls out Booker T and vows to kick his ass. Booker comes out and asks HHH to put his World Title on the line at thegranddaddyofthemall Wrestlemania 19 (or X-9 ... whatever they're calling it this year). HHH refuses, so Booker eggs him on (with help from the crowd) until HHH finally gives in.

 

The next week, we're just 6 days from Wrestlemania, and HHH and Booker T are in the main event timeslot for the contract signing. Before signing, Eric Bischoff (put Vince McMahon out there, too, for added effect) announces a special stipulation in their match at Wrestlemania: Two falls, TWO titles on the line. "Two titles? What the hell?" Jim Ross asks. In honor of Wrestlemania and his new lease on life in the WWE, Bischoff is DE-UNIFYING (if that's the correct term) the World and Intercontinental titles. The first fall will be for the IC title and then the second for the World. Book and Triple H both sign as the show goes off the air with the two face to face and nose to nose with Bischoff in the background gloating about bringing these two together.

 

At Wrestlemania, it's time for the RAW main event. I would put it as the final match simply because RAW is the flagship of the WWE, but billing it as two main events (Book-HHH and Brock-Angle) would be just as acceptable. Triple H gets the rare first entrance as he walks (hopefully his leg will be fully heeled so as not to take away from Booker T's performance) out with the rest of his henchmen in Flair and Orton (but not Batista as he was defeated by Steiner earlier in the night). Still, it looks bleak for Booker as the odds are still 3-1 in favor of Triple H (as JR notes). As Booker T enters the arena, he does his pyro thing and plays to the crowd before turning BACK toward the entrance. GOLDUST makes his long awaited return as we haven't seen or heard from him since he was "electrocuted" by the Evolution in February. "Now we're talking, bah gawd! Welcome home Dustin! Welcome home!" (cheesy, I know, but definitely something JR would say). In ring now, as Triple H dominates the first fall until about 12 minutes in when Booker turns the tide. KICK WHAM AXE KICK by Booker T who goes up top and whips out the Harlem (Houston?) Hangover to win the Intercontinental title. What a win by Booker T, but not a whole lot of time to celebrate as Flair and Orton drag Booker out of the ring to get in a couple shots before being saved by Goldust. Earl Hebner sends Flair and Orton to the back as Flair looks shocked as only he can. Goldust is allowed to stay, however. Back in the ring, Booker comes to and gets off to an early advantage over Triple H in the second fall. It doesn't last for long, however, as HHH begins to overpower Book. JR begins to question here whether Booker T has any gas left in his tank to win the world title. Out of nowhere, Book nails a Book End on the World Champion near the ropes. 1-2 ... and Triple H just does get his foot on the ropes. Both men get back up, HHH first, though, because Booker T has nothing left. Kick wham pedigree and HHH wins the second fall. HHH celebrates as JR puts over both men, but particularly Booker T for his guts and DESIRE (the next night on RAW, put together a nice DESIRE package for Booker T highlighting his career and focusing on his match at Wrestlemania 19). We cut to a promo for the next PPV after Goldust enters the ring and picks up the dejected Booker T and gives him a hug for giving it his all and awarding him the old Intercontinental title.

 

The next few weeks, Booker T takes on all comers in defending his new gold. Over this period of time, we see hints of a Goldust heel turn. Fast forward to the PPV after Wrestlemania (Backlash) as Booker takes on Test (or whoever) and wins the battle. Post-match, Goldust lays Booker T out with a chair and then begins screaming about playing second fiddle and what not.

 

Goldust explains the next night on RAW that he was tired of being Booker's bitch. He was tired of going to the malls and the airports and having kids walk up to him and say "Now can you dig that SUCKA?! Well DIG THIS, Booker T, we're through." JR questions Dustin's motives as we go to commercial. When we come back, Booker T has packed his things and is entering his rental car as Terri or Coach or whoever runs up looking for reaction. Booker T is silent and obviously hurt at losing his friend. He finally just enters the car and shuts the door behind him.

 

Goldust challenges Booker at the next Pay Per View (Judgment Day). Goldust dominates early as Booker will not lay a hand on the guy he once considered his best friend. Finally, Book reaches his breaking point and unleashes on Goldust. Axe kick ... 1-2-3.

 

At this point, I don't feel much like typing anymore and I doubt you've read all that up above anyways. Over the next month or two, Booker T feuds with a heel Rob Van Dam who's looking for a little respect in this company (yada yada yada). RVD ends up on top in a nice little IC title feud as Booker T returns to finish what he started with Triple H at Summerslam 2003. He does just that, as we go into the fall with a new leader for the RAW brand and a fresh feel to RAW.

 

Any thoughts?

[Guest C-Bacon]

I like everything up until Booker's win at WM, but a world title fued with Goldust won't exactly do anything for buyrates. maybe a raw main event...

[Guest iamsherm]

Actually, the Goldust feud was over the IC title. Triple H would still have the (RAW) World Title at that point under my plan, which I realize would probably turn off about 90% of the readers here.

 

Sorry for not making that clear enough.