On the latest episode of his “Hall of Fame” podcast, Booker T shared his thoughts on working alongside Chris Benoit and the impact he had on the wrestling industry. Booker T held Benoit in high regard, stating that if not for the tragic events that unfolded, Benoit would have been recognized as the greatest wrestler of all time. He said,
“You know, honestly, if Benoit’s legacy would’ve lived on, he probably would’ve went down as the greatest wrestler that ever lived. Really that good.”
According to Booker T, Benoit’s skills extended beyond his own abilities. He had the unique ability to elevate his opponents, pushing them to surpass their potential and perform at a level they never thought possible. Despite Benoit’s modest stature, Booker T recalled the intensity of his strikes, emphasizing that he felt them more than anyone else in the ring. He said,
“And he wasn’t just that good. He made you that good. He made you better than you actually could ever be. And it was as real as it possibly could be to that dude, man. He was only about 5’9, 5’10 at best. And I swear, he hit me harder than anybody I’ve ever been in the ring with.”
For Booker T, working with legends like Benoit, along with other influential figures such as Black Barts, Killer Tim Brooks, Maniac Mike Davis, and Manny Fernandez, played a pivotal role in shaping his career. These mentors not only guided him but also imparted invaluable knowledge about the wrestling business, which ultimately contributed to his success. Booker shared,
“But like I said, working with some of the best guys in the world for me has been the reason why I’m here. I would not be the guy that I am today without — and I mean, the Benoit, that’s one thing, man, but the, uh, the, uh, the Black Barts, The Killer Tim Brooks’, The Maniac Mike Davis’, the Manny Fernandez’ of the world. Man, those guys, man. Those guys literally were, they were my mentors, but they were my sensei. They taught me everything that I needed to know about this business.”
