Booker T Looks Back On Commentary Origins In WCW & WWE

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has become a staple of "NXT" commentary, with his voice arguably becoming synonymous with the current brand. Sitting down for an interview on "Insight with Chris Van Vliet," Booker reflected on his journey to the commentary table.

"This thing goes back to WCW," he recalled, noting that he'd commentate matches from the locker room, specifically for the wrestlers rather than the public. For Booker, it was purely out of fun and he'd purposely give guys different names and call their finishers something else to get a laugh out of everyone. "It was just something I did to pass time, and the boys liked it!"

Booker explained that his antics persisted during his time in WWE, and by the time he retired, Michael Cole approached him with an offer to officially do commentary on television. "I love Michael Cole, he's been my biggest supporter. I wouldn't be doing commentary if it wasn't for Michael Cole," he admitted. Booker recalled making many mistakes early on, but Cole continued to go to bat for him. "A lot of times, you know, I was like, 'I just know they're going to take me off the team sooner or later,' and sooner or later, that day came for me." 

The veteran noted that he was happy to be taken off of commentary, explaining that he wanted to approach WWE soon about switching roles, as he felt he still wasn't ready for that weekly position.

According to Booker, a lot of his commentary is influenced by what he experienced with Vince McMahon. "I always tell the story of when I was doing commentary, my first time under the Vince regime, he came into my ear and said: 'Book, say: much to his chagrin!'" the veteran laughingly recalled, stating he had no idea what it meant, and just said it while looking into the camera.

"I knew if I said that, all my street cred would be gone, so I couldn't really be myself," he added. Booker notes that things have been different under Shawn Michaels in "NXT," and after his first night on commentary there, he seemed to have made an impression on the boss. "Shawn goes, 'I don't know what you said, but I liked it!' So I was like, 'Oh man, I love this!'"

Working in "NXT" has become something Booker loves, Booker loves working on "NXT" not only because he gets to be himself on commentary, but because he also because it allows him to watch the rising stars and help them, compared to the talent on the main roster. "I'm a teacher at heart; I love teaching and explaining and trying to get you to understand, you know, what chess is all about."

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "INSIGHT with Chris Van Vliet," and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.