Nearly a year after their first public war of words, two of professional wrestling's most recognizable names are back in each other's orbit — and once again, the drama is playing out in the most modern of arenas: social media.
This time, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T didn't throw a punch. He raised an eyebrow. His comments about newly called-up Raw rising star Je'Von Evans picking up "bad habits" — and tracing those habits back to watching wrestlers like Swerve Strickland — were enough to light the fuse. Whether it's a legitimate criticism, a subtle shot, or a little of both is entirely up to you.
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A History Worth Remembering
The original flashpoint came when Strickland alleged, during a Vlad TV interview, that Vince McMahon had used a racial slur in Booker T's presence during his time in WWE. Booker T took exception, and things escalated from there.
It all came to a head at AEW Dynasty last April, when Strickland grabbed a mic after the show went off the air and delivered a very direct, very public message to Booker T in front of the Philadelphia crowd. The two exchanged pointed words in the days that followed, and while things appeared to cool down, it was clear neither man had fully moved on. Wrestlers and wrestling personalities alike can carry a long memory — and this latest exchange is proof of that.
What Booker T Actually Said
The "bad habits" comment came during the Feb. 17 episode of Booker T's Hall of Fame podcast. While discussing Evans and generational influence in wrestling, the WWE announcer made a remark that — depending on your ear — either reads as straightforward criticism or a pointed dig. Go listen for yourself and decide: "I heard Swerve Strickland talk about Je'Von Evans, and Evans probably grew up watching guys like him — and that's true. So you've got to figure out how to get rid of those bad habits."
It's worth noting that if you've watched professional wrestling closely over the last several years, you can identify any number of performers with what would be called bad habits. Strickland is far from the only name that could have come up in that conversation.
How Swerve Responded
To his credit, Strickland didn't take the bait — at least not fully. Rather than escalating the situation, the active AEW star turned it into a business opportunity, joking on X about trademarking the phrase "BAD HABITS" and using the moment to promote his Reebok collaboration. When a fan took a shot at Booker T, Strickland kept it light, offering to lend the Hall of Famer a pair of his sneakers. That's a smart play. When someone hands you a news cycle, you cash it in.
Keeping It in Perspective
Hopefully, this is where it ends. Evans has a Raw roster to make his mark on, Strickland has plenty of in-ring business to attend to, and Booker T has a microphone and a podcast to keep him busy. The young rising star from Monday Night Raw shouldn't be a footnote in someone else's social media feud — he's got a future worth watching on his own terms. Keep the action in the ring and off of X — or Twitter, or whatever we're calling it today.