In his recent “Hall of Fame” podcast episode, renowned wrestler Booker T reminisced over his successful tag team tenure as a part of Harlem Heat in WCW, acknowledged the foundation laid by Ron Simmons that made his WCW World Title victory possible, and shared insights on other wrestling-related subjects.
Highlights from the podcast are summarized below:
Discussing how Harlem Heat’s distinctive approach influenced their successful stretch at WCW, Booker T stressed: “My brother and I were unique – we seized our position. They didn’t hand it over to us; we claimed it. We never paused for someone to announce our presence – we owned the stage. Even early in our WCW tenure during international tours where we would face defeat, we never backed down. Even when we lost, we celebrated like winners, driving the audience wild. Everything changed for the better when Sherry Martel joined us – she legitimized our team.”
Reflecting on the role that Ron Simmons played in his WCW World Title achievement, Booker T enlightened: “If I hadn’t won the title, Ron Simmons would have been the sole Black champion in WCW history.”
Shedding light on the unexpected impact Simmons’ victory had on the WCW locker room, he offered: “I wouldn’t necessarily say that it altered the dynamics of the locker room. Ron was treated with respect because he commanded it, not just for his championship title but for the straightforward and assertive character he carried off the ring as well.”
Lastly, Booker T emphasized the significance of self-respect and his determination to earn the respect of others, pointing out: “My primary focus has always been on respecting myself. If you didn’t accord that respect, I would ensure you did. The only thing the management can ever do to you in this industry is fire you. That’s it. But talent is usually retained over others – it’s just business.”
The podcast episode can be accessed in the embedded link below: [embedded content]