Booker T discusses plans for retirement match with Trick Williams
Cageside Seats • 3 min read • Latest: Jul 17, 2026, 6:00 PM
Last updated Jul 17, 2026

Booker T indicated he is ready for one more match, potentially at WrestleMania 43 next year in Saudi Arabia. This follows a discussion with WWE Chief Content Officer Paul Levesque, who backed the idea. Trick Williams, the current United States champion, expressed enthusiasm for facing Booker in the ring, highlighting their mentorship connection. Booker, now in his 60s, is assessing his fitness level, stating he is serious about wrestling again, although the timeline is still flexible. He aims for sometime next year, as he works towards his return to the ring.
- •Booker T expresses readiness for one last match
- •Trick Williams shows enthusiasm for facing Booker
- •Possible event at WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia
- •Booker is assessing fitness for a comeback
- •Timing for the match remains flexible for 2027
- 6:00 PMCageside Seats — Booker T, Trick Williams & WWE all seem set for Booker’s retirement match next year
"Back in April, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque publicly told Booker T he could have one more match in the company whenever Book’s ready. That led to the never-shy Booker to talk about the possibility on his Hall of Fame podcast. First he played it cool, but eventually said he was down to do at WrestleMania 43 next year in Saudi Arabia. In both cases, he name dropped current United States champion Trick Williams. Now, in an interview live-streamed yesterday (July 16) from the big Fanatics Fest event in New York City happening this weekend, Williams has weighed in, and he sounds enthusiastic as well. Trick Willy shared his appreciation for Book’s mentorship — and hype man work from the NXT announce desk — before asking for the crowd’s approval (he got it): “Word through the grapevine is Booker T wants one more match. He said he wants one more match, and I think it’s only right, it’s only fitting, that his last match is with the man he helped mould into the superstar he is today. “I was thinking, what better time than the present, maybe within the next year or so. How would y’all like to see Booker T vs. the Anointed One Trick Williams?” Uncle Book the GOAT. We appreciate you 🖐🏾 times Let’s talk about it pic.twitter.com/CkU5cxbW8k — Trick Williams (@_trickwilliams) March 18, 2026 The holder of a now furrified red, white, and blue belt said that shortly before Hall of Fame went live on Reality of Wrestling’s YouTube channel. Coincidence? Anyway… Booker said he’s “serious” about doing it next year, but isn’t as focused on next April. Now, Queen Sharmell’s King is just aiming for sometime next year: “He gave me a time period, ’27, that gives me time to figure out what this year is going to look like for Booker T. As far as, can I really get in the gym and hang and bang? I’m talking about hanging and banging hard for just one more time. ”That’s the question — kind of like Conor McGregor… can I get myself, can I will myself to get in the gym and make it happen? And I think I can. So we’ll see how that plays out. I’m serious. I’m serious.” Hopefully your retirement match goes better than McGregor’s last fight, Book. Whenever it happens, or whoever it’s against. But whether it’s ‘Mania or later, Booker T will be 62-years-old. Are you as on-board as Book, Trick and WWE seem to be?
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