WWE Legend Retires After Royal Rumble 2023

By Andy H Murray / February 8, 2023

Booker T says he is done with in-ring competition after his surprise in this year's men's Royal Rumble.

The WWE Hall of Famer said as much on a recent episode of his Hall of Fame podcast. Booker said that he believes this will be the last time fans see him step through the ropes anywhere, with the veteran now focused on his Reality of Wrestling promotion, and working with his students.

Said Booker (h/t the Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online):-

"I’m gonna tell you right now, I think that's the last time people are going to see me in the ring altogether. In Reality of Wrestling, I’m going to work with my students, but as far as putting my boots on again, that was the last time. It’s kind of sad too. I’m kind of choked up about it a little bit."

The 57-year-old's successful, crowd-popping Royal Rumble 2023 appearance saw him enter at number 21, lasting 42 seconds before getting thrown out of the ring by Gunther. Booker, who works a regular gig as NXT's colour commentator on Tuesday evenings, still squeezed a Spinneroonie in.

Elaborating on his Rumble appearance, Booker called it "a great exit," thanking the fans:-

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

Booker ceased regular in-ring duties for WWE in 2012. He had wrestled a handful of matches prior to the Rumble, primarily for Reality of Wrestling, with 28 January seemingly bringing his last.