Booker T Planned On Retiring A Long Time Ago, Weighs In On How He’s Stayed Relevant

Booker T says that he expected to be retired by now, but that he still loves the wrestling business. The WWE Hall of Famer remains active in the business as a member of the WWE NXT broadcast team, and as a promoter and trainer with Reality of Wrestling. He even occasionally returns to the ring for his own promotion, though it’s been three years since he had a match in WWE.

Booker was asked about staying active during his appearance on Insight With Chris Van Vliet and noted that he’s happy to continue to build his own shows and give back to the business. He also spoke about how his work with younger talent helps keep him relevant. You can see the highlights below:

On Still Loving Being Part of Wrestling:

“I planned on retiring a long time ago from wrestling. But as far as mainstream, as far as WWE and stuff like that, I planned on that going away a long time ago. I didn’t expect to be in it this long, at all. But that’s why I built the wrestling school because I hear so many guys, like old guys. I’m one of those old guys now, but I hear so many old guys get out of business and then they complain, they’re bitter, you know what I mean? They’re talking about the shows. They’re critiquing the shows. I say, instead of doing that, I’m gonna just build my own, create my own stories, and still have a great love for the business. Something that has given me so much. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the wrestling business.”

On How Younger Talent Has Kept Him Relevant:

“I always say that sometimes it may take someone else to keep you relevant. People say respect your elders, but I say you got to respect your young guys these days because they’re the future. It’s like when Bad Bunny made the song, Bad Bunny was keeping me relevant in a totally different genre. Then working with the young guys now, and they go out there and look at all the banners around. Over WrestleMania weekend I see the blueprint and the footprint of Reality of Wrestling all over so many different shows, it’s amazing. So for me I’m just living my best life.”