What Started The Batista/Booker T Fight, Huge Backstage Details

The well-publicized Booker T-Batista fight, about which reports conflict in identifying it as either a work or shoot, started when Booker T confronted Batista about not shaking hands with all of his colleagues on the Summerslam commercial shoot.

Booker also asked Batista, in reference to comments made in a media interview, if he still thought the SmackDown! crew was lazy.

Batista defended himself against Booker s assaults, and the argument escalated (the escalation is attributed to Batista, as Booker reportedly wanted to walk away at some point). The two then went into a separate room and began fighting.

The fight was quickly broken up, but despite being on the bottom, Batista urged his fellow wrestlers to let the two continue. Batista once again ended up on his back, and wrestlers then broke it up for good.

During the breakup, Batista got in the shot that left a mark on Booker T s face. Sharmell, in response to what she felt was a cheap shot, began kicking Batista. Booker T also screamed that he s a gangsta and would get Batista if he saw him alone.

Some reports suggest that Batista once again tried getting some cheap shots in, but nothing really landed. He then insinuated that Booker T is somewhat responsible for younger talent being held down in the lockerroom, but no one agreed. In fact, Bobby Lashley personally noted that Booker was instrumental in helping him grow as a performer.

Vince McMahon later took the two aside and forced them to talk through their differences.