TNA News Booker T discusses Michael Hayes and racism in WWE, Bobby Lashley's future, the new heel faction in TNA, Slammiversary's King of the Mountain match Jun 3, 2008 - 12:18 PM Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing Booker T was a late replacement for Kevin Nash in Spike TV and TNA's monthly conference call. -Booker laughed when he was asked about Michael Hayes and racism late in the conference call. He said Hayes thinks he's black. "I don't look at Michael as a racist myself," he said. "I've heard him use the N-word before... He's one of the people who can use the word around me because I know there's no malice behind it." -Booker said it's hard to say what is causing television ratings to drop. He said companies such as UFC and WEC are growing quickly. He said TNA needs to adjust its marketing strategy. He mentioned something about keeping up with the hip hip generation and stated that TNA is doing a good job in that regard. -"Being the bad guy is just something that seems to fit my character at this stage of the game," Booker said. "It's great." -Booker said the King of the Mountain match is something new for him. "It will be no different than any other match," he said regarding how he's approaching it. "Come Sunday night, I think it's going to be just the beginning of Booker T's career here in TNA." -On Bobby Lashley: "I can't really say what Bobby is going to do (as far as pro wrestling)," Booker said. "I know MMA people are looking at him and Japan... I know TNA would have a spot for him." He said he hopes Lashley will come to him for advice. He said Bobby is in a good place mentally despite leaving WWE unexpectedly. -Booker said he's never tried to get involved in the writing aspect of wrestling. He said he thinks all the gimmick matches confuse fans. "Maybe we have to take a step back to take a step forward," he said. -On the heel stable: "We've got a lot of guys who could form and unite and take over TNA," Booker said. He said Team 3D have just been watching his back so far. "I'm one of those guys who say never say never," he said regarding a faction of wrestlers "invading" or taking over TNA. -Booker discussed being on the road with Sharmell and spoke about how strong their marriage is. -A caller asked about Sid Vicious. He said Sid has always been an unbalanced guy in the sense that he's the nicest guy one day and he wants to rip your head off the next. He said Sid has a big heart and he would like to help him out like Sid helped him out in the past. -On Samoa Joe: "He is the future," Booker said. "No matter how you look at it, he is the future... He has a lot to learn, though." Booker said he was in the same boat when he went to WWE. "I think Joe is the perfect candidate to carry TNA to the next level." -Booker said he is talking with TNA about using his school as a developmental system. He said he wants to make sure he's going to be in TNA long-term before he commits to anything. -Booker chuckled when a caller brought up Ultimate Warrior and referred to him as "a character." He said he would welcome him to the locker room if he joined TNA. -The internet is a double edged sword in Booker's mind. He said he doesn't like all the locker room talk, but he thinks wrestling needs to change and go along with the program. -Booker said he doesn't think he's been in his favorite TNA match yet. He said he couldn't pick a best match to date yet. He said he had fun working with Jay Lethal and he likes the Black Machismo character. "The best is totally yet to come for me here in TNA," Booker said. -He said his original plan was to retire at 40, but he got to 40 and he still felt good. He said TNA wants to keep him around. "I'll stick around for a little while," he said. He said he always wanted to have a match against Shawn Michaels, but he doesn't think that will happen. -Booker raved about Ric Flair's retirement angle. He said the time came for Flair to step into the next phase of life. -He said he had a meeting with the locker room when he joined TNA because he wanted to let everyone know that he wasn't there to step on any toes. "It's not really about me," Booker said. "It's about them." -A caller asked about Booker reforming his tag team with Black Reign (a/k/a Dustin Rhodes). He laughed at the question. "Goldust and Booker was an odd couple," he said. "Booker T and Black Reign would be an even odder couple." He said he's open to anything and just wants to give the fans what they want to see." HELP SUPPORT DOT NET! 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