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Perhaps one of the most talked-about "shoot fights" in professional wrestling lore is that of an altercation between former WWE Superstar Dave Batista and WCW/WWE legend Booker T.
Although the general consensus among fans is that Booker T allegedly got the better of the exchanges, the reality behind this unfortunate clash is much more complex than someone winning or losing the fight. In fact, what most people aren't really privy to, is that there were a few other key factors at play before, during and after the fight transpired.
Today, we are going to be looking at some of the lesser known intricacies of this real-life rivalry between Batista and Booker T--and attempt to unravel how a minor backstage issue led to a bloody, brutal "real fight". We'd like to thank former WWE Superstar and current WWE producer Fit Finlay for providing the fans a deep insight into what really transpired back in the summer of 2006...
*Fans can look forward to 2 episodes of "Pro Wrestling Real Life Stories" being released every weekend (Saturday & Sunday) in the upcoming days.
#5 Wrestler's court
Well, wrestler's court--an informal backstage court that settles real-life issues and disagreements between the performers--was undoubtedly more prevalent back in the day than it is now. However, around the year 2006, the wrestler's court--despite gradually beginning to lose a bit of significance--was still very much a thing...SummerSlam was fast-approaching, and needless to say the WWE Superstars were incredibly busy with their routines ahead of the biggest party of the summer.
Anecdotes:
It was noted by WWE.com that the entire crew were, especially the WWE's top performers, were headed towards a magnificent mansion for a photo-shoot related to SummerSlam 2006, and it was under the roof of said mansion that both Batista and Booker T found themselves crossing paths once again.
Rumor has it that the first time when they'd truly gotten to know one another was when Batista and Melina Perez were reprimanded by wrestler's court--allegedly owing to the latter's attitude problems in the WWE locker room...Apparently, the judge had ruled against Melina, and the prosecutor in said case was none other than Booker T.
It was around the same time that Dave Batista was rumored to be in a real-life relationship with Melina, and the former had been rubbed the wrong way by Booker T leading the charge in the prosecution of Melina by the wrestler's court...
#4 Fit Finlay reveals the truth -- Sharmell's groin kick
Former WWE Superstar Fit Finlay who currently serves as a producer for the company, opened up in an out-of-character interview with RF Video a while back--giving a completely different account of Batista's altercation with Booker T.
Anecdotes:
Finlay recalled that when he arrived at the scene, the fight was on the ground, and Dave Batista was on top of Booker T. The picture being painted, per Finlay's explanation, is that Batista had seemingly gotten the better of the exchanges until dozens of other wrestlers separated him and Booker T.
Moreover, Finlay made a rather shocking revelation regarding the incident--noting that after both Batista and Booker T were separated by the wrestlers, the latter's wife Sharmell (former WWE performer) kicked Batista right in the groin...
#3 Batista and Booker T sound off
Intriguingly, while Dave Batista and Booker T's backstage fight made headlines back in 2006, both wrestlers seemed to be providing varying versions of the incident.
Anecdotes:
It was in his autobiography "Batista Unleashed" back in 2007, that Dave Batista addressed his backstage altercation with Booker T. Below is an excerpt from The Animal's forenamed book--
“… no matter how I felt, I should have at least been respectful and said ‘hello,’ not acted as if he didn’t exist."
"He’s earned respect in this business. I didn’t show it, and I was wrong.”
Booker T spoke to WWE.com about the altercation, and revealed--“There's a lot of us who paved the way in this business for men like Batista...Respect isn’t a right. It’s a privilege.”
#2 Booker T
Booker T's podcast "Heated Conversations" truly is a gem in the world of professional wrestling--particularly if you are one who happens to like exploring the real-life skirmishes between wrestlers that aren't really addressed by people other than a few unabashed veterans of the sport such as Booker T.
Anecdotes:
Booker T noted on an episode of Heated Conversations, that he did what he had to do, since he felt that Dave Batista wasn't going about his business backstage in a respectful manner.
In fact, Booker T claimed that he's got those "fast hands"--implying that he'd gotten the better of the punching exchanges against Batista during the aforesaid real-life altercation at the mansion. Moreover, the WCW and WWE legend noted that while everything seemed great at the 2006 SummerSlam photo-shoot, Batista ignoring him and their confrontation eventually taking place truly spoiled the occasion.
Booker confessed that it was him who approached Batista regarding the perceived disrespect whichBooker felt Batista was directing toward him...
#1 Stalemate
Once again, thanks to Booker T's revelations on Heated Conversations, fans now have a great insight into what really transpires in the crazy world that is pro-wrestling.
Anecdotes:
While Dave Batista and Booker T seemed open to work with each other after their fight in May of 2006, both did confirm that they're never going to be friends anytime soon. Well, fortunately, the former who is a 49 year old Hollywood action movie star and the latter being a 53 year old WWE color commentator now, appear to have buried the hatchet.
Booker T confirmed on his podcast that he'd probably exchange pleasantries with Batista, should they meet today. On the other hand, Batista seems to have moved on to bigger things in his career, with a hugely successful acting career as well as a pro-MMA fight and victory under his belt.
Notwithstanding, the fact remains that their fight at the mansion back in 2006 saw both wrestlers leave bloodied and battered--Booker T with a swollen eye as confirmed by Finlay, and Batista with a bruised groin thanks to Booker's wife Sharmell.
