Booker T Discusses Matt & Jeff Hardy’s ‘Electric’ Return To The WWE
Count Booker T among those who was excited to see the Hardys make their return to WWE.
The five-time world champion and WWE Hall of Famer discussed the WWE return of the brothers on the latest episode of his Heated Conversations podcast, which previewed the Payback pay-per-view.
"When the Hardys made their walkout, it was an electric feeling in the arena," Booker recalled.
When the Hardys made their surprise return at WrestleMania 33, it marked the first WWE appearance for Matt Hardy since 2010. Jeff Hardy had left the company the year prior.
Booker reflected on his own return to WWE in 2011 after a stint in TNA. He and co-host Brad Gilmore described the crowd reaction at Booker's first appearance back, in the 2011 Royal Rumble, as a "summer of '87 Road Warrior pop.
"It's one thing to leave WWE, and not leave on bad terms or anything, then to make the return and finish it where you started it," he said. "There's something special about that. The Dudleys, the Hardys, myself, Kurt [Angle]. Guys like that certainly are deserving of everything they get."
Booker also had some extremely high praise for Jeff Hardy for continuing to perform daredevil high spots after more than two decades in the wrestling business.
"That guy's body has gone through hell in his 20 years-plus in this business and he still seems to keep going stronger and stronger than ever. I don't know how he does it," Booker said. "I saw him take a bump off the cage in TNA and he almost killed himself. He almost died! … and he showed up a week later."
The Hardys currently are overseas as part of WWE's two-week tour of Europe. Jeff Hardy received clearance to return to the United Kingdom last month. Booker also will be headed to the UK. Monday's episode of Raw will be filmed on tape delay in London.
