Booker T Says He’s Retired As A Wrestler Following Royal Rumble

The 2023 Royal Rumble marked the last time Booker T will ever enter a wrestling ring as a competitor.

Booker T entered the Men’s Royal Rumble match at #21 and lasted 42 seconds before being eliminated by GUNTHER. Despite that short appearance, Booker T was happy with the experience…happy enough to announce that he has no other reason to wrestle anymore.

Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, the 57-year-old Booker T explained his decision to hang up his wrestling boots for good after wrestling for over 25 years.

“It’s kind of sad too. I’m kind of choked up about it a little bit. It was a great exit for me. I don’t think it could have been better than that, but putting the old boots up, it’s kind of hard.

I think that was the last time putting on the boots and getting back in the ring at that level. I think that’s the last time I really want to do it at that level. I don’t think it can get better than that, seriously. I want to thank all the fans for that moment.”

Going forward, Booker T said that he’s going to focus on working with his students at his wrestling school, Reality of Wrestling, which also operates as a local promotion.

Booker T’s wrestling career began in 1986 and officially ended in January 2023. However, his began wrestling far less regularly as far back as 2011, and by 2015 he was down to wrestling only one match per year.

h/t WrestlingNews for the transcription