Booker T made the jump from WCW to WWE and became a Hall of Famer. But his Harlem Heat tag team partner and brother, Stevie Ray, never followedand John Bradshaw Layfield still cant wrap his head around it.
Speaking on Something To Wrestle With, JBL admitted the decision surprised him to this day. I always thought we got Booker. I always figured Stevie would come, he said. I dont know why he didnt. I never heard a reason. I never heard any negative thing about him Everybody Ive ever known him likes him. I certainly like him. I always thought he would be there.
JBL spoke highly of Stevie Rays potential as a WWE star, calling him huge and could talk. He added, Stevie could work also. I mean, he had everything. Remembering their early days in Dallas, JBL said Harlem Heat were the next ones to go. They were going to go big.
So why didnt it happen? Stevie Ray has been vocal over the years about turning down WWEs offer, and it wasnt about moneyit was about pride. On Conversations with the Big Guy, he said, I was always in the mindset of this is competition to me WCW vs WWF. To be honest with you bro, I didnt want to go out like a b***.*
He even skipped the final WCW Nitro taping, comparing the companys sale to a wartime surrender. It was like when Germany got defeated. Youve got to submit to the Allies. Thats how I felt. And I wasnt going to be a part of that.
On Talk Is Jericho, Stevie further explained his fears about WWE ruining Harlem Heats image. Frankly I didnt want Harlem Heat to be turned into something that it wasnt, he said. I wanted people to remember Harlem Heat two guys from the streets thats here to kick ass. He added he didnt want to become a cartoon: I didnt want us to be Doink the Clown.
Other reasons included burnout from wrestling politicsI was pretty much done with the bureaucracyand his desire to be home with his daughter. Even when Booker T tried to bring him in years later, Stevie Ray said, I didnt want to be on the road anymore.
Although Stevie Ray never stepped foot in a WWE ring, the company gave him his due. Harlem Heat was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019.
Would you have liked to see Stevie Ray in WWE alongside Booker T? Or did he make the right call standing on principle? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
