To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
WWE Hall of Famer Booker T is well versed in training the stars of the future, and his teenage kids could be next.
The 60-year-old retired wrestler and current NXT commentator is a mentor on US network A&E’s LFG reality show – which returns for a second season this weekend – and it’s no surprised his 15-year-old twins are primed to follow in his footsteps.
He exclusively told Metro: ‘Never say never. My son, he loves professional wrestling. My daughter, she’s very, very athletic. I never knew what I was going to do until I got into it, you know?’
However, Booker – whose wife is fellow WWE Hall of Famer Sharmell – admitted he might be happier if they work behind the scenes instead, taking over his Reality of Wrestling promotion.
‘I’m grooming them to be able to take over the business one day,’ he said. ‘From a behind the scenes perspective. That’s where the money is! Less bumps as well [laughs]. No man, never say never!’
If the twins did decided to get into wrestling, they’d have the best coach, with Booker having trained rising star Roxanne Perez, while there have been plans for him to work with Travis Scott to help him prepare for an eventual match.
However, there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to teaching someone the ropes.
‘The first time I got in the ring, it was like deja vu. It seemed like I had been in the ring my whole life,’ he recalled. ‘Being in the business for 35 years, I got so much like wasted knowledge in my head, I could just pull it up, boom.
‘I expect for them to be able to do it as well, and it’s just not like that. Everybody is so different as far as the learning curve… When I teach it, I try to have so many different philosophies.’
For WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats), that variety is on full display as Booker joins Bubba Ray Dudley, The Undertaker and Michelle McCool on the panel for the second season in search of WWE’s next megastars.
Last series, Bubba Ray clashed with his loudmouthed protege BJ Ray, who showed a lot of fire and overconfident.
‘It might work out for them on the show, but it’s not going to work out in the long run,’ Booker said, arguing the need for ‘great matches’ as well as a strong personality.
He added: ‘If you can figure that out – BJ Ray, he might have a chance, but if he doesn’t figure that part out, he has no chance in hell of making it in this business.’
Booker knows his stuff, as his protege Jasper Troy was the men’s winner, and has already impressed in the ring with NXT Champion Oba Femi.
‘I hate to use the old cliche from from Rocky Balboa, but he had that “eye of the tiger,”‘ the veteran chuckled. ‘He took it very, very serious. And that’s what a lot of these guys don’t do.’
He explained: ‘They’re not looking at it like this could be a lifetime job… [or a] once a lifetime opportunity… But Jasper, I’m so proud of that kid.’
That’s not to say Booker doesn’t embrace the larger than life characters, as he noted how the theatrics are the beating heart of the business.
‘I’m always performing. It’s Shakespeare, it’s Romeo and Juliet, it’s Phantom of the Opera,’ he smiled. ‘That’s I think about when I think about professional wrestling.’
That drama will certainly shine through on the new season of LFG – which is only available in the US, with clips being shared on X worldwide, and the winners already appearing on weekly NXT TV.
What can fans expect?
‘A lot more drama,’ he laughed. ‘We’re trying to work with these young guys and get them where we need them to be. It’s not as easy as one would think.’
He added: ‘The physical side is is relatively easy, but the mental side of the business is very, very taxing. And I think you guys will see a lot of lot of that this season.’
In light of that, Booker shared the best piece of advice he was given by Escape From New York actor and wrestler Ox Baker.
He recalled with a smile: ‘He said, “Kid, you got a lot of talent, but you’re going to come up against a lot of obstacles in this business.” And I think he was talking about me being a young black man in the business.
‘He didn’t say that, but he said, “You got to figure out a way to go over, around, under, and sometimes you have to go straight through those obstacles.”
‘Wow. That was the best advice I’ve ever could have gotten as a young kid getting into this business.’
WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats) returns to A&E on Sunday, June 22. Fans in the US can tune in from 10pm ET/PT.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.