Dave Bautista and Booker T rarely talked in WWE, but tensions between them escalated quickly due to issues involving Wrestlers’ Court and three-time Women’s Champion Melina!
In the world of professional wrestling, tensions often run high, both in the ring and behind the scenes. Sometimes, these tensions escalate into real-life confrontations, leading to legendary stories that live on long after the dust has settled. One such story involves the explosive brawl between Dave Bautista and Booker T—two of WWE’s biggest stars.
Dive deep into the backstory, the brawl itself, and the aftermath that left an indelible mark on their careers. From unwritten rules to personal grievances, discover how this feud unfolded and the surprising twists that followed.
In the summer of 2006, tensions between Dave Bautista and Booker T reached a boiling point, leading to an unforgettable backstage brawl. Photo Credit: WWE. Artwork by Pro Wrestling Stories.
The Real-Life Altercation Between Dave Bautista and Booker T
The tensions between Dave Bautista and Booker T were fueled by backstage politics and personal grudges, setting the stage for their explosive confrontation. Photo Credit: WWE.
In the SummerSlam season of 2006, WWE superstars were heading down to a beautiful mansion in California to shoot promotional material for the upcoming pay-per-view.
There are unwritten rules and regulations in the wrestling business that every person who finds themselves backstage needs to get in line with. Wrestlers’ Court came into effect whenever someone didn’t follow these unwritten rules in the back.
There was a judge, usually Undertaker, a prosecution that generally was JBL (although there are quite a few others who filled the role), and a defense that was played by anyone brave enough to back up the accused’s case.
The Backstory Behind Dave Bautista and Booker T’s Real-Life Fight While in WWE
Rumors of a romantic entanglement with Melina added fuel to the fire, intensifying the already strained relationship between Dave Bautista and Booker T. Photo Credit: WWE.
In Melina’s case, she was convicted of "diva-ism," which happened to have Booker as one of the prosecutors.
This may explain some of the tense feelings between him and Dave Bautista (Batista), which led to the brawl.
Romantic Entanglements and Tense Encounters in WWE
Melina, a three-time WWE Women’s Champion, found herself at the center of backstage tensions that escalated into a real-life brawl between Dave Bautista and Booker T. Photo Credit: WWE.
Bautista, rumored to be having relations with Melina at the time, was hot about the conviction and had some ill feelings towards Booker T.
They steered clear of each other for the most part. Still, it was hard to avoid one another in the mansion setting for the promo shoot.
The Explosive Confrontation Between Dave Bautista and Booker T
The tension between Dave Bautista and Booker T finally erupted into a physical altercation, marking one of the most intense backstage confrontations in WWE history. Photo Credit: WWE.
According to rumor and innuendo, Bautista was stirring a lot of the SmackDown! roster the wrong way at the time, acting as though he was the standard and the top star. Booker T confronted Bautista about the way he was acting.
According to a day-of WWE.com report, one thing led to another, and a "brutal, bloody, vicious affair" ensued.
Booker T Recounts His Version of the Brawl with Dave Bautista
Booker T shares his side of the story, recalling how he confronted Dave Bautista and the fight that ensued. Photo Credit: WWE.
On his podcast, Heated Conversations, Booker T recounts, "I remember being out in the pool with Tatanka, and then Dave Bautista shows up, and it was almost like a cloud coming over that nice beautiful scenery.
"What ticked Dave Bautista off with me was that I was always vocal with things. At this shoot, I told Bautista, ‘Hey man, let’s just get this out in the open… I really don’t like you, you really don’t like me, but we gotta work together! It’s our jobs! We gotta go out and perform together; ya know what I mean?
"But if you ever cross me, you gonna have to deal with these [fists]!’
Booker T continued, "Later on, he and I actually confronted each other like men, the fight went down, and ya know, I’m not gonna get into too much detail, but I got fast hands man, I’m quick with my hands.
"I remember when I was a little kid, I was about 13 years old, and I got beat up in my front yard. That was the last time I lost a fight. Needless to say, I put a good beating on the boy!"
Dave Bautista’s Perspective on the Backstage Fight
Dave Bautista opens up about his real-life fight with Booker T, reflecting on the intensity of the brawl and how it ultimately led to a professional truce. Photo Credit: WWE.
"We had to get past this. It had been brewing for a long time," said former World Heavyweight Champion Dave Bautista. The fight was so intense both men were left swollen and bloodied, and it took nearly a half dozen Superstars to separate them.
"It’s over," said Bautista. "We will agree to disagree. We won’t be friends, but we will work together. I can promise you we won’t cause problems." But Dave Bautista does have an issue with the way he’s been portrayed in the locker room.
Dave Bautista Addresses Rumors and Misunderstandings
Dave Bautista clarifies the rumors surrounding the fight he had with Booker T, expressing his frustration over the way he’s been portrayed in the aftermath. Photo Credit: WWE.
"Some guys say I’ve been running around claiming to be the top-money draw in the company, that I’m carrying the WWE on my back. I never said anything like this; the rumors break my heart. I would never disrespect guys like Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, and Triple H with comments like these. I am not a *****!"
Bautista said he hopes the issue is finally over. "I want to move on. It’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I can’t wait to get back to work again."
"It was simply about respect, that’s all," reflected Booker T.
Booker T Reflects on the Aftermath of the Fight
Booker T reflects on the impact of the brawl and how it affected his relationship with Dave Bautista moving forward. Photo Credit: WWE.
"I have no ill will toward Dave, but I feel like he doesn’t know the history of the business, that’s all. Maybe he should study the history. There’s a lot of us who paved the way in this business for men like Bautista," says Booker.
"When I started, guys like Greg Gagne, Dusty Rhodes, Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, and countless others were in WCW. I walked into the locker room and had to earn their respect. It took me 16 long years, but I earned it. Respect isn’t a right; it’s a privilege."
Have Dave Bautista and Booker T Buried the Hatchet?
So, have Booker T and Dave Bautista buried the hatchet after their legendary real-life altercation? Photo Credit: WWE.
When asked if the two men have buried the hatchet, Booker T pointedly said, "We’ll never be friends. We’ll never exchange Christmas cards. But I will work with Dave in the ring like nothing ever happened.
“It’s not about us, it’s about the company, and more importantly, it’s about entertaining the fans. I’ll never do anything to hurt our product."
Fit Finlay’s Take: Setting the Record Straight on the Booker T vs. Dave Bautista Brawl
Fit Finlay offers his perspective on the Dave Bautista and Booker T fight, revealing details that challenge the widely accepted narrative. Photo Credit: WWE.
The majority (if not all) of the dirt sheets will say Booker T won the fight, but Fit Finlay insists otherwise.
Finlay, who was called into the room after the brawl had begun, had this to say about the fight in a recent shoot interview with RF Video.
"I don’t know what started it, but they were rolling on the floor," stated Finlay. "They will say that Booker T got to Dave, but that’s not how it was. Dave was on top of Booker T, you know? Booker T had a swollen eye."
What Happened, According to Witness Fit Finlay
Fit Finlay recounts the events of the brawl, adding his own insights into what really went down between Dave Bautista and Booker T. Photo Credit: WWE.
Finlay continued, "When we pulled it apart and stood em’ up, Sharmell kicked Dave right in the nuts. Nobody will tell ya that, but she snuck a kick in and kicked him right in the nuts. And he didn’t sell it!
"Booker was threatening, ‘I’ll come to ya door!! I’ll find ya in the dark!’ and Dave Bautista said, ‘No, we’re gonna sort it out right now if this isn’t over. It’s gotta be over right now!’
“Then it broke down and it sort of fizzled out, and they just agreed to disagree after that. But Dave didn’t get beat up by Booker T, that’s probably the main story out there, but that’s wrong."
The Aftermath: How the WWE Locker Room Reacted
The fallout from the fight left a lasting impression on the WWE locker room. Photo Credit: WWE.
It seems things have calmed down since Booker T claimed, "We’ll never be friends!"
As it turns out, Booker T, eleven years later, said, "Bautista and I, right now, guys, we’re good friends. We buried the hatchet. That’s water under the bridge."
Booker T Clears the Air: Dispelling Rumors of Lingering Beef with Dave Bautista
"Booker T sets the record straight, dispelling any lingering rumors about him and Dave Bautista. Photo Credit: WWE.
In 2023, Booker T also shot down any lingering rumors that he and Dave Bautista have a long-standing beef stemming from their physical altercation in WWE.
Booker explained that it was due to “a lot of testosterone in the locker room,” and that not all wrestlers get along.
Booker T’s Surprising Admiration for Dave Bautista
Despite their past differences, Booker T now admires Dave Bautista’s success in Hollywood and respects his journey. Photo Credit: WWE.
Booker reiterated that stance on the latest “Hall of Fame” podcast and said if they met, he’d tell Dave Bautista he admires him as an actor.
“If I saw Bautista today, I would give him a hug and tell him how great he’s doing in Hollywood,” he said.
“He’s knocking it out. He’s freakin’ killing it.”
Final Thoughts: Booker T Reflects on the Incident
Booker T offers his final thoughts on the brawl, emphasizing that it was a moment between two men in a testosterone-driven business. Photo Credit: WWE.
Booker T admitted both men haven’t addressed the incident much in the media.
“It was an incident that happened between two men,” Booker expressed.
“And if you’re a man, you know something about that. If you’re a man who’s got testosterone running through your body and you’re in a testosterone-driven business, you might get in a fight with somebody.
“That doesn’t mean you hate them. Don’t mean you don’t like them. It was an incident that happened.”
Behind the Curtain: The Unpredictable Dynamics of Pro Wrestling Friendships
Pro wrestling is full of unpredictable dynamics, with even the closest of friends sometimes coming to blows, as Booker T experienced with Eddie Guerrero. Photo Credit: WWE.
To give an example of how often scuffles happen, Booker claimed he and Eddie Guerrero even almost got in a fight despite being close friends.
“I don’t even remember what the fight was about,” he chuckled while wearing Guerrero’s t-shirt.
The real-life altercation between Dave Bautista and Booker T remains one of WWE’s most notorious backstage incidents. What started as a clash of personalities quickly escalated into a physical confrontation that left both men bruised and beaten. However, over time, they managed to move past the incident, proving that even the most intense rivalries can be resolved.
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Braeden Farrell is a senior writer for Pro Wrestling Stories. He is a long-time fan of wrestling based out of Adelaide, Australia. He can be reached on Twitter @braedenfazza.
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