Booker T Admits to Delaying Crucial Surgery Amidst In-Ring Return Speculation

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, a longtime fixture of the WWE family and a key presence on NXT television, has admitted that he is postponing a major surgery amid speculation about a potential in-ring return.

Booker T last competed at the 2023 Royal Rumble, where he made a surprise appearance. The former King Booker lasted just 42 seconds in the ring before being quickly eliminated by GUNTHER, leaving fans speculating about a possible return to competition afterwards.

Booker T even claimed that he would never retire from in-ring competition. While speaking on Busted Open, Booker T revealed that he has been postponing surgery for some time. He mentioned that he initially injured his PCL during his debut in the Global Wrestling Federation back in 1992 and never had it properly treated. This unresolved injury has since caused issues with his knee and negatively affected his golf game over the past year.

Booker T explained that he continues to delay surgery because he dislikes the thought of being laid up and the potential impact on his body. He expressed his reluctance to undergo the procedure, preferring instead to manage the pain as best as he could.

The WWE Hall of Famer acknowledged that wrestlers often maintain a “tape it up” mentality, where they push through injuries, and described his knee pain as inconsistent, sometimes severe and other times less noticeable. Despite the discomfort, he plans to continue managing the injury without surgery for as long as possible.

”You know what? I gotta have something done to my right knee. I tore my PCL, my debut in the Global Wrestling Federation and I never got it fixed and it’s come back to haunt me and my golf game has been struggling this last year.

The thing with my knee, I’m still putting it off. I put the clubs down. I’m still putting this thing off as long as I possibly can. I hate having surgeries. I know I’ma be laid up. My body’s gonna suffer, I’m gonna get old quick. So I’m like, man, screw it. I’ma just ride it as long as I possibly can. I’m serious (he laughed).

You’re exactly right (that wrestlers never get out of that frame of mind). Tape it up, I’m good. I swear man, sometimes it hurts so bad and then sometimes, it don’t hurt at all. It’s one of those type of injuries. So I’m like, I’ma just ride it until the wheels fall off.”

Earlier this year, Trick Williams proposed that Booker T step back into the ring for one last match but Booker T made it clear he wasn’t going to do it. Regardless, only time will tell whether Booker T will end up competing again inside the squared circle, as it may not happen anytime soon.

What do you think of what Booker T had to say about him putting off the surgery? Do you feel an in-ring return can still happen? Sound off in the comments section below!