If you were watching WCW back in the mid-90s, you knew the music. Those sirens would hit, the bass would kick in, and two of the physically most imposing dudes in the business would march down the aisle. Booker T was the flash, the guy doing the Spin-a-roonie and hitting the Harlem Sidekick. But the anchor? That was Stevie Ray.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how history sometimes overlooks the older Huffman brother. While Booker T went on to become a five-time (five-time!) world champion and a WWE icon, Stevie Ray was the guy who kept the engine running when Harlem Heat was dominating the tag team division. He wasn't there to do flips. He was there to beat people up.
People often forget just how massive Stevie Ray actually was. Billed at 6’5” and pushing nearly 300 pounds of pure muscle, he looked like he was carved out of granite. He didn't need a complicated moveset. He had the Slapjack, the 110th Street Slam, and a scowl that would make most grown men want to go home and lock their doors.
Why Stevie Ray Was the Secret Weapon of Harlem Heat
Let's get one thing straight: Harlem Heat is arguably the greatest tag team in the history of World Championship Wrestling. Period. They held those WCW World Tag Team Championships a record ten times. You don't do that by accident.
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When they first showed up in WCW in 1993, the office had some... let’s call them "questionable" ideas. They were originally brought in as Kane and Kole, a pair of prisoners managed by Col. Rob Parker. They even came out in shackles. Thankfully, that didn't last long. They dropped the chains, picked up Sister Sherri, and the rest was history.
Stevie Ray was the "powerhouse" of the duo. While Booker was the high-flyer, Stevie was the one who would catch a guy mid-air and just drop him. He brought a sense of legitimate toughness to the ring. You've probably heard the stories—Stevie wasn't a guy you messed with backstage, either.
The nWo Days and the "B-Team" Trap
Things got weird for Stevie Ray in the late 90s. When Harlem Heat split up for a bit, he ended up joining the nWo Hollywood faction.
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It was a strange fit. For a while, he was basically the leader of the "nWo B-Team." You know, the guys who didn't get the private jets and the main event spots. He even won a battle royal to become the official leader of the black-and-white t-shirt crew. He played the role perfectly, leaning into that "big brother" energy, even if the creative direction of WCW at the time was, frankly, a total mess.
- Key Career Milestone: 10-time WCW Tag Team Champion.
- Solo Success: He actually held the WCW World Television Title too, famously "defending" it for an injured Booker T.
- Hall of Fame: Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as part of Harlem Heat.
The Commentary Years: "Suckas Gots to Know!"
After his full-time in-ring career started to wind down, Stevie Ray moved to the announcer's table on WCW Thunder. This is where a whole new generation of fans fell in love with him.
He didn't sound like a corporate robot. He sounded like a guy watching a fight from his living room. He brought phrases like "Suckas gots to know!" and "Fruit booty" into the wrestling lexicon. Honestly, his commentary was often the only reason to watch Thunder during those final, chaotic months of WCW's existence. He had a way of calling out the nonsense that felt authentic.
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What Is Stevie Ray Doing Now?
Stevie Ray didn't follow the typical path of many wrestlers from his era. He didn't go to WWE to chase one last run after WCW folded in 2001. Instead, he mostly stepped away to focus on his family and his life in Houston.
He’s stayed active in the industry through Reality of Wrestling (ROW), the promotion he runs with Booker T. They’ve built a legitimate pipeline for new talent, proving that they’re more interested in giving back than just living in the past. He also hosts a podcast where he tells stories from the road—and if you know anything about Stevie, you know he doesn't sugarcoat anything.
Life After the Ring: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're a fan of old-school wrestling or just looking to dive deeper into the history of the sport, there are a few ways to really appreciate what Stevie Ray brought to the table.
- Watch the 1996 Great American Bash: Harlem Heat vs. The Steiners. It’s a masterclass in tag team psychology and pure physical intensity.
- Listen to his "Stand Up For Greatness" Podcast: If you want the unvarnished truth about the Hogan era of WCW, this is where you'll find it.
- Check out the Harlem Heat WWE Hall of Fame Induction: His speech is legendary. He gave credit where it was due but kept that same "Stevie Ray" edge that made him a star in the first place.
Stevie Ray wasn't just "Booker T's brother." He was a cornerstone of an era, a man who commanded respect without saying a word, and a wrestler who understood exactly what his job was. He was there to look like a beast, talk like a king, and win championships. Mission accomplished.