Booker T, a name closely associated with the WCW World Championship, had long harbored the belief that his race would prevent him from taking the title.
In the third episode of VICE’s intriguing docuseries, “Who Killed WCW?,” a past video of Booker T from his WCW era was shown where he spoke of the improbability of winning the world title.
Questioned about this statement, the modern-day Booker admitted to having once thought that his race might prevent him from ever becoming the WCW World Champion. He expressed,
“Let me put it frankly, it was because I was black. I assuredly knew my capabilities. There wasn’t any doubt there, but you still have this lingering question if the company would be ready to embrace a black champion.
“There had to be someone like Vince Russo, an unconventional thinker, who could push them out of their comfort zone and challenge their preconceived notions.”
It turned out that Booker T would rise to become a five-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion. His inaugural win was declared in Bash At The Beach 2000, a match organized by Vince Russo.
Upon joining the WWF in 2001, Booker T seized the WWE World Heavyweight Title in 2006. He was also bestowed the prestigious honor of being a two-time WWE Hall of Famer.