Booker T Reveals Approach to Handling Autograph-Seeking Fans

The growing trend of fans meeting professional wrestlers at airports has sparked controversy. While many wrestlers enjoy spontaneous interactions with fans, there is increasing concern over those who bring large quantities of merchandise specifically to get autographs for resale, often on platforms like eBay. With that said, Booker T has now shared his approach to dealing with fans who seek autographs.

Last year, a video circulated on social media showing Rey Mysterio declining to sign an autograph at an airport. The fan involved seemed focused on monetizing Mysterio’s signature, highlighting broader issue faced by wrestlers. Rhea Ripley also experienced similar situation at an airport, where she encountered overwhelming fan demands and voiced her frustration with the lack of respect for her boundaries in such encounters.

While speaking on the Hall of Fame podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T shared his perspective on how he handles such situations. He explained that, regardless of how he might be feeling, he always strives to make these encounters special for the fans. For him, it’s about creating a memorable moment for them, even if he’s having a tough day. Booker recalled instances where fans recognized him, even when he was trying to stay low-key, and how he always made an effort to engage with them positively.

“Normally, people recognize me no matter if I got my hair tied up, if I got shades on, or whatever. They normally recognize me. I was in California one day and I was walking down the sidewalk and this truck all the way on the other side of the street, I had this thing on my head right now, had my shades on and this guy goes, ‘Booker T.’ I don’t know if I just got a recognizable face or what, but my thing is, if that does happen, it’s never my moment. It’s always their moment. I’m gonna make sure they have a hell of a moment. I don’t care how upset I am or what I’m going through, I’m never going to let them know it at that time, just because, like I say, it’s a moment for them that they’re going to remember perhaps for the rest of their lives.”

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Booker also shared a story from Orlando, Florida, where he was stranded during spring break due to flight cancellations. Despite the situation, he took the time to interact with a group of kids who recognized him, taking photos and high-fiving them. Afterwards, a woman working at the airport noticed his kindness and arranged for him to get on the next flight, upgrading him to first class as a gesture of appreciation for his patience and generosity towards the fans.

“I remember, I was in Orlando, Florida, and I was stranded. It was spring break week and all the flights got canceled. My flight was canceled. I was going to stay in the airport until the next day if I was to get a flight out or go catch a hotel or whatever. I remember this group of kids, and I don’t know, it might have been 20 of them, and one of them recognized me. He was like, ‘Booker, T man, what’s going on?’ Everybody went crazy. All these kids came over and they wanted to take pictures with me. I swear. I smiled. I was high-fiving. We were doing everything. I finished taking photos with them, and I sat back in my seat, and I just sat there, and I’m thinking about not being able to get out. Then one of the ladies working at the desk came over, and she goes, ‘Mr. Huffman.’ I said, ‘Yes, ma’am.’ She goes, ‘The next flight, I got you out, and I put you in first class just because of what I just saw. After all you’ve been going through, you had the patience to deal with all of those kids and this stuff. Least I could do is get you out of here’, and bam. I was like, ‘Thank you so much.’”

Recently, footage emerged of Liv Morgan engaging with fans seeking autographs at an airport. Nevertheless, many professional wrestlers will have different opinions when it comes to dealing with fans who want autographs and that’s never changing.

What’s your view on Booker T’s approach to dealing with autograph-seeking fans? Do you prefer his way over others? Sound off in the comments section below!