Subhojeet Mukherjee on October 8, 2025
Booker T knows exactly what Santos Escobar is going through.
The two-time WWE Hall of Famer recently addressed Escobar’s WWE departure on his Hall of Fame podcast, saying he completely understands why the former SmackDown star decided to let his contract expire. Booker explained that the WWE schedule can wear anyone down, especially after years of constant travel and time away from family.
“Hey man, you know what? I get it, honestly. I do,” Booker said. “Sometimes, being in the WWE, and I think he’s been there, what, six years. Sometimes, away from your life.”
He shared a personal story to show just how consuming life in WWE can be, recalling advice he once heard from Jake “The Snake” Roberts.
“Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts said it… ‘When you sign that WWE contract, that means you are obligated to work every day.’ I say that because when I signed my contract… I want to go and get on my boat… it was 2005 when I go to get it registered, it had been sitting that long. I hadn’t been on my boat one time in all those years, and I didn’t even realize it, because I had been working. I was on the road.”
Booker T compared Escobar’s decision to step away to his own experience walking out of WWE at the peak of his “King Booker” run.
“To be able to take a step out of it, I understand totally. Because at the top of my career in WWE as King Booker, I walked away from it, just because I was tired, it was taxing being away from the family. So I get it.”
He ended by showing full support for Escobar’s future outside the company, confident the Mexican star will continue to thrive.
“Santos, he’s going to always be able to make money in this business. So leaving WWE, I don’t think it’s going to hurt that guy at all. So big ups to Santos for taking a step back.”
Santos Escobar officially left WWE on October 6, 2025, after he and the company failed to agree on a new deal. The former leader of the LWO had been a regular presence on SmackDown, most recently involved in a heated storyline with Rey Mysterio before his departure.
Booker’s comments show the real grind behind WWE’s glamorous image—and why even top stars sometimes need to step away.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
Do you agree with Booker T’s take on Escobar’s decision to walk away from WWE? Was it the right move for his career? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
October 8, 2025 10:28 am
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