10 Backstage WWE Feuds That Changed Everything
7. Booker T Vs. Batista
In early 2006, Batista had to forfeit the World Heavyweight Championship due to injury. As he came closer to recovering and Booker T won the same title, it was clear that a showdown between the men would be dominating SmackDown later in the summer.
Before they actually came to blows on TV though, a real-life incident took place between the two. While filming a commercial for SummerSlam, Batista snubbed Booker T, and this - combined with the fact Batista was said to have gotten a big ego during his meteoric rise to the main event - led to an exchange of words between the men. Eventually, they got into a brawl, with the rest of the roster standing by to let them settle their differences. The general consensus was that Booker T got the better of the fight.
How did this effect television? Batista still feuded with Booker T and still beat him for the World Heavyweight Title, but his victory didn't happen until the Survivor Series in November. Given Vince McMahon's well-documented love of real-life tough guys, many believe that Booker's win in the fight prolonged his title reign.