Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has said he’s sad to see John Laurinaitis leave WWE after the latter was terminated by the promotion.

Laurinaitis was released from WWE after being placed on administrative leave for his alleged role in the Vince McMahon pay-out scandal.

On his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker spoke about the 21-year WWE veteran.

“Laurinaitis, I give the dude a whole lot of credit for making me a much better performer. He was very, very instrumental in my career and making me challenge myself to think a whole lot more and to be better. So, yeah man, sad day for me. I’m sad to see Laurinaitis step down. I really am.”

Booker and Laurinaitis worked together in WCW before both men came to the WWF in 2001 after WCW folded.

An agent and later Head of Talent Relations, Laurinaitis also served as an on-screen heel authority figure from 2011 to 2012.