Let's discuss Booker T.....

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

Well ok. It looks like they may just may be ready to give Booker that final push to the ME. So what does everyone think? Do you think it'll happen? Do you think Booker T. will make it to the main event or do you think he'll wade around under there forever? And if he does will he get the World Title?

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

I see him making close, but not actually main eventing a PPV or anything. As much as I would love it to happen, I just don't see it coming into being at all.

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

He appears to be getting over though. Anybody think he could make it to being super-over? Where when his name is uttered people go crazy?

[Guest AlwaysPissedOff]

He's getting there. Hell, the Spinaroonie(godDAMNit, I hate that name) is crazy over on it's own, so really, all Booker needs is that one feud to put him over the top. Although I'm a bit shaky on how they are going to handle him after making him look like a complete jobber in that rushed face turn(which got NO heat for the NWOld), I'm really hoping they'll take a chance on him.

[Guest]

he is starting to build that face rapport with the crowd, stopping everything just to do the Spinarooni and claiming the fans want him to do it, the crowd then realizes thats the point to say yea we want to see it, and the big pops go out

 

Plus that thing about the Revolutionary war before the KOTR match with Regal was clever.

 

Book is on the road to uppercard Face hood but will take a while till we see him in Main event mode.

[Guest The Vanilla Midget]

they executed that turn really poorly as APO said.  book just needs a solid push, and a reasonable, high-impact finisher.  too many people kick out of the scissor kick, its little more than a transition now.  also, with rock in hollywood and on SD, maybe they can let book use the book-end as a finisher again (i love the name, and have you noticed how most of the over finishers have their owners names in the (SC stunner, angle slam, walls of jericho (well, maybe not all ))).  benoit could be the perfect fued opportunity, as while book needs a win over either nash or hbk to blow off the nwo, benoit has nowhere really to go, and so a book/rvd v eddy/benoit combo series could prove very cool.

[Guest JAxlMorrison]

Well with the reaction Booker is getting, the WWE should give him a run at the top in a couple months, but let's be serious here.........he'll be jobbing to The Big Show in no time

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

Well he needs a big win to elevate him. As of now what top stars has he pinned? Well there was......and then......and he went over.....nope no big wins. q

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

I have always thought that Booker T would be a star, but I see him getting buried by politics since it has already happened to him once in the WWF.

[Guest The Mighty Damaramu]

Well to be fair everyone got buried under and avalanche of politics during the Invasion. Save maybe Undertaker and Steve Austin. And of course Shane and Steph. But that's a different argument for a different day.

 

But yes if the nWo politics don't come into play then Booker could really make it as a star.

[Guest The Vanilla Midget]

well hopefully book has paid his dues by now and gets a decent push.  havens knows he deserves it, hes decent in the ring and pretty much golden on the mic right now, so push the bookerman, SUCKAAAAAAAA

[Guest Mole]

Well, next to RVD, Booker T is the only face on Raw. It wouldn't make any sense not to push him.

 

Have him defeat X-Pac in the first round, then beat Brock by DQ, and beat Jericho in the finals to become King Booker.

 

Give him the HHH push, he's got the skills to back it up and he is getting over with the crowd.

 

It could work, but this is the WWE we are talking about here.

[Guest red_file]

There seem to be three things that could potentially convince management that Booker is not the man to push.

 

1) He's not exactly one of the younger wrestlers in the promotion.  Granted, most of the uppercard is aging and older wrestlers who've shown loyalty get the perennial push, but it's not inconcievable that those in charge would look at Booker's age and question how long they could ride the new star they just made.  In their eyes, it may not be worth it.

 

2) He's a minority.  While it's rarely mentioned, there does seem to be an air of a "good 'ol boys" nature to the wrestling business that traditionally doesn't push minorities.  It could be argued that Booker's world title push in WCW was to combat the anti-minority image that WCW had built up over the years.  While I don't believe that the WWE would choose not to push someone based solely on race (Yoko & the Rock got world titles; Ahmed Johnson would've had he not been injury prone), but I do believe that it factors in somewhere.

 

3) He's states on more than one occasion that he doesn't want to stay in the business for much longer.  This ties in with the age factor in how long could they rely on him to stay.  Granted, getting into the ME would raise him to a higher pay-scale and would probably entice him to stay longer, but there would always be the lingering idea that he doesn't really have the desire to be in there any longer.

 

There are other factors, of course, most of them being of a political nature.  Booker seems either unwilling or unable to engage in politics, and is hampered by forever being associated with WCW.

 

I hope that Booker can get elevated.  He has a great character and is decent-to-good in the ring.  Perhaps recent events will allow him to move up.  I'm just not counting on it.

[Guest Risk]

I think red_file has it pretty much down.  Although I do think he'll be IC champion soon.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

Nope.  Not a chance.  Why?

 

(ever so slight smackdown spoiler)

 

Brock vs Booker T this Monday on RAW in the Quaterfinals of the KOTR Tourney.

 

So, in short, there will be no King Bookerman.

 

Now can you dig that, suckaaaaaa!

[Guest caboose]

Giving Booker the BookEnd back could be seen as a Heel move as it's Rocky's move.

But a new finisher is needed.

Booker also HAS TO go over everyone in the nWo, including HBK.

But i don't see it happening cos HBK is a jackass.

If Booker is going to be KOTR, he needs no bullshit wins.

Put him over Brock but NO dodgy DQ or cheap wins.

If Booker beats Brock clean, the fans will take to Booker even more especially if the match is at least 8 minutes.

Brock can always recover, he's got years in the business.

Booker also needs even more time on the mic cutting promos rather than skits.

[Guest The Vanilla Midget]

well, thats unlikely after what happened on raw.  brock seems to be in for the original rock (we'll push him whether you care or not) push, so i dont think there is any possible chance that book will go over clean.  besides, interference by nwo would build heat on that little fued, which while preventing book from jobbing clean, would mean that book/dust could have a tag at KotR, and possibly a one-on-one with either nash/michaels at july ppv/summerslam.  that would do more to get him over than the KotR, which is essentially meaningless.

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

red_file made some good points, and they are reasons I don't think Booker T will get a full-out main event push, meaning holding the title, main-eventing PPVs, etc.. However, I think they are going to push him in one of the top feuds on RAW, that is against the nWo. Perhaps he could lead some sort of a stable against them, Golddust being an obvious member. And Booker T shouldn't go over Michaels, if Shawn is going to wrestle again, they need to conserve him for big matches that will draw, against guys like The Rock and Austin.

[Guest converge241]

ok, let me first point out that it always puzzles me that people compare him with the Rock in the sheets or the net (i.e. "he's WCW's Rock"). Why is this? because they are black?

even if the two were compared or in the same light, Book would never be as over as the rock based on his portrayal right now. One reason = Booker is prtrayed as an idiot. Are they both funny? sure but fans see them totally different.

Could Booker T be as big as a Rock or HHH? without a doubt.

He can wrestle, great physique, can talk, and seems to carry himself in a good way (weakest link aside).

I always thought his best portrayal would be in the vein of succesful football players (not the boisterous ones like Prime Time). Always in a nice suit when not wrestling (he used to do that in WCW). And carry himself with a high level of pride, not ego, but presenting himself and the character and sport as very serious. A little flamboyant, with some sayings and all but not over bearing. (i think the gimmick would work for stasiak better than the current one as well).

i STILL think he should go back to the clean cut hair from WCW as well (i dont care what anyone else says, i just thought it looked better and fit the character)

More importantly he needs to be put cleanly over the NWO (in his current storyline) tag with somebody already big (Rock preferably around Summerslam because he will be hot to give the rub and they can play up the former enemies, now have common enemies deal). get some wins over one or two faces, one in a friendly challenge (maybe Rock after the tag stuff) and one for the number one contender. Then give him the belt, he gets screwed out of it somehow and on you go.

The whole time have storylines/commentators/booker himself stress the athleticism. Send him to media events, sports games, promotional work etc.

 

It can work!!!

[Guest Brian]

OK...where does everyone get Brock vs. Booker T on RAW. I've seen no mention of this anywhere, and it might as well be RVD or X-Pac (which would make more sense).

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

"ok, let me first point out that it always puzzles me that people compare him with the Rock in the sheets or the net (i.e. "he's WCW's Rock"). Why is this? because they are black?"

 

It's due to Russo.

 

1. Copied the Rock's finisher.

2. Started dressing like Corporate Rock.

3. Started using catchphrases frequently.

4. Added a catchphrase to the start of his music.

5. Started calling himself the People's Champ.

 

Any of these by themselves wouldn't be a big deal, but taken together and with the fact that they all happened when Russo was in charge, it's pretty obvious that Russo was trying to turn him into a clone of the Rock.

 

"Could Booker T be as big as a Rock or HHH? without a doubt."

 

You are comparing HHH and Booker T to the Rock? Neither are in his league in terms of overness, although they are right about at each other's level. I don't see either of those guys headlining a summer blockbuster any time in the near future.

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

bps check the Smackdown spoilers thread. I'm pretty sure marvin posted the brackets (I guess he went to the show or something and they showed them).

[Guest Brian]

Well, I saw the spoilers and as little sense as it makes (not pairing up the two obvious feuds of Booker/X-Pac and RVD/Brock), that probably means a pair of guys are out, and though I totally expect the next big thing and the ic champ in the next round, I wouldn't put it to under X-Pac to get himself into the next round.

[Guest converge241]

It's due to Russo.

 

1. Copied the Rock's finisher.

2. Started dressing like Corporate Rock.

3. Started using catchphrases frequently.

4. Added a catchphrase to the start of his music.

5. Started calling himself the People's Champ.

 

actually i could pull out torches from before russo ever left wwf where the compariosn would come up.

 

granted the bookend didnt help

he was dressing in nice clothes way before that btw

 

You are comparing HHH and Booker T to the Rock? Neither are in his league in terms of overness, although they are right about at each other's level. I don't see either of those guys headlining a summer blockbuster any time in the near future.

 

point was he could be a top tier guy. hence "a" rock or "a" HHH , just token examples

[Guest]

I don't know why they can't give him the sidewalk slam as a finisher, like he had back in the day(He had tons of legit finishers back in the day too, the missle dropkick, the scissors kick, etc. Yet another reason WCW kicked ass...god i miss them *sniff*)

 

Oh wait...too much like Hardcore Holly's "Great" finisher huh....

[Guest Vyce]

Can Booker T get over?  Absolutely.  He's already getting there.

 

Can Booker T help "lead" the WWF as one of their top faces, and a potential main eventer?  In my opinion, yes.  He has the look, the charsima, the verbal skills, and most importantly, the talent to do so.

 

But the important question.....will he be allowed to get over and become a top talent?

 

Oh hell no.

 

I could list tons of reasons about how the deck is stacked against Booker, but the main one I have currently is this:  He's posed to be feuding against the Cliq.

 

NOT the nWo - but the Cliq.  Michaels, Nash, X-Pac.

 

If you think that either of those three will do ANYTHING to get Booker T over, you'll be mistaken.  The heat-killing superkick by HBK on RAW proved it to me.

[Guest]

I just want him  in a interview before a match (Like if he has to face a member of the n.W.o) to say "That sucka gonna die."  I would totally mark out for that.

[Guest]

I absolutely think the Big Teezy can become one of the top talents in the WWF.  I think it would be pretty easy to get him over... if the major politickers agree of course.  For some reason, I have this feeling that HGH is gonna turn heel with the title and join the nWo.  I think with the continued push and a couple clean-ish wins ('cause we all know The Nose will never roll over) over Trips, they don't have to be for the title, and Booker T will be right there.

[Guest Just call me Dan]

Maybe I'm being a bit naive, but I think the main reason that superkick was heatless because it was like a silencer. I mean when I saw it I thought HOLY SHIT, but it was so out of nowhere, I couldn't say anything.

 

I personally thought it was great, and being in the crowd I'd have been just as quiet because I didn't see it coming.  If a heel does something out of no where your'e probably not going to just jump right up and boo the guy, but react like most, and just kind of be in shock.

[Guest]

I was lovin' Booker's ever so slow turn until Monday night's heat killing kick in the face. IMO, he's been the most overall entertaining wrestler in both brands recently. He's been funny, and he's been performing great in the ring. While I agree that the deck is stacked against him for the ME, let's remember that towards the end of WCW  that he was pretty much carrying the whole show on his shoulders, even if he was being portrayed as a Rock wannabe. Notice how they don't let him say "Don't hate the playa....hate the GAME" anymore? HMMMMMM....