John Layfield
Birthday: 1966-11-29 Place of Birth: Sweetwater, Texas, USA
Synopsis
John Charles Layfield is an American retired professional wrestler and current wrestling commentator/host for WWE, where he performs under the ring name John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL). Outside of his WWE work, Layfield is a financial analyst for Fox News. Within WWE, he was previously known by the ring name Bradshaw, and prior to that, the variations Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw and Blackjack Bradshaw (as half of The New Blackjacks with Blackjack Windham). As JBL, Layfield was WWE Champion for 280 days. Layfield's main gimmick as JBL—a wealthy, gladhanding, big-mouthed, fiery-tempered businessman—was based on Layfield's real-life accomplishments as a stock market investor. Layfield is a guest panelist on Fox News Channel's The Cost of Freedom, has appeared on CNBC, and has written a best-selling book on financial planning called Have More Money Now. Layfield also hosts a weekend talk radio program, syndicated nationally by Talk Radio Network, in which he discusses his conservative political views. Layfield is also employed by Northeast Securities as its Senior Vice President. In WWE, Layfield won 24 total championships including one reign as WWE Champion, one reign as United States Champion, one reign as European Champion, seventeen reigns as Hardcore Champion, one reign as Intercontinental Champion, and three reigns as World Tag Team Champion with Faarooq as part of the Acolytes Protection Agency (APA). He is also recognized as the twentieth Triple Crown Champion, and the Sports Illustrated has said that Layfield "has been accused for years of being a locker room bully", while Deadspin wrote that "backstage tales of Layfield's hazing and bullying have long been legend among hardcore wrestling fans."[136] Dayton Daily News described that "YouTube has dozens of interviews where former [WWE] performers discuss harassment, bullying and taking real blows from Layfield while wrestling him in supposedly choreographed matches." Le Journal de Montréal listed Mark Henry, Matt Hardy, René Duprée, Daivari, and Ivory, among others, as wrestlers who in interviews described Layfield as a bully.In 2010, The Miz referenced Layfield in an onscreen promo about hazing he faced in the locker room early in his career. Layfield admitted to hazing Miz and said that he did not regret doing so. In April 2017, WWE commentator Mauro Ranallo took an absence from WWE, which Dave Meltzer reported had been triggered by hostilities with Layfield. The allegations coincided with the release of former WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts' autobiography, in which he alleged that Layfield encouraged Johnny Nitro and Joey Mercury to steal his passport. Angered WWE fans subsequently called on WWE to fire Layfield. On April 22, Newsweek reported that Ranallo and WWE "mutually agreed to part ways", and Ranallo released a statement in which he said his departure had "nothing to do with JBL" after liking tweets that implied JBL was the main reason. Layfield released a statement of his own, stating: "Admittedly, I took part in locker room pranks that existed within the industry years ago. WWE addressed my behavior and I responded accordingly, yet my past is being brought up because of recent unfounded rumors. I apologize if anything I said playing ‘the bad guy’ on a TV show was misconstrued.
Acting
WWE WrestleMania 38 Saturday Kickoff
Get all of the latest breaking news, rivalry analysis from a panel of experts, and so much more before The Showcase of The Immortals!
Never Forget: WWE Returns After 9/11
In the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001, as terror and tragedy dominated the media landscape, WWE provided a beacon of hope with a live edition of SmackDown. This documentary explores the preparation of the historic event that brought unity to a country when it was needed most.
Bipolar Rock 'N Roller
The film explores Mauro Ranallo’s career, including his work on the two biggest pay-per-view events in television history, and his relentless pursuit of a childhood dream despite seemingly insurmountable odds. Through this deeply personal portrait, Ranallo hopes that the film might inspire others to persevere in pursuing their dreams despite the challenges of a mental health condition.
Legends with JBL
An interview show hosted by John Bradshaw Layfield.
WWE WrestleMania XXV
WrestleMania XXV was the twenty-fifth annual WrestleMania PPV. It was presented by the National Guard and took place on April 5, 2009 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. The first main event was a singles match for the WWE Championship that featured the champion, Triple H, defending against Randy Orton. The second was a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship, between defedning champion Edge against John Cena & Big Show. The third main event was The Undertaker versus Shawn Michaels. Featured matches on the undercard included, Jeff Hardy versus Matt Hardy in an Extreme Rules match, Chris Jericho versus the team of Roddy Piper, Ricky Steamboat and Jimmy Snuka, and the annual Money in the Bank ladder match featuring Kane, MVP, Mark Henry, Shelton Benjamin, Kofi Kingston, CM Punk, Christian, & Finlay. With an attendance of 72,744, it is the 6th largest attendance in WrestleMania history.
WWE Royal Rumble 2009
The 22nd annual Royal Rumble with the winner receiving a title shot at WrestleMania XXV. Also, WWE Title (No DQ Match): Edge vs. Jeff Hardy, World Heavyweight Title: John Cena vs. John ' Bradshaw' Layfield, ECW Title: Jack Swagger vs. Matt Hardy, & WWE Women's Title: Beth Phoenix vs. Melina
WWE No Way Out 2008
No Way Out (2008) was the tenth annual No Way Out PPV. It took place on February 17, 2008 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It starred wrestlers from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands. The main match on the Raw brand was an Elimination Chamber match to determine the number one contender for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania XXIV. Jeff Hardy, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chris Jericho, Umaga, and JBL all competed. The predominant match on the SmackDown brand was Edge versus Rey Mysterio for the World Heavyweight Championship. The primary match on the ECW brand was Chavo Guerrero versus CM Punk for the ECW Championship. The predominant match on the Raw brand was Randy Orton versus John Cena for the WWE Championship. The featured match on the undercard was an Elimination Chamber match to determine the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXIV featuring Batista, Finlay, MVP, The Undertaker, The Great Khali, and Big Daddy V.
WWE One Night Stand 2008
One Night Stand (2008) was a PPV that took place on June 1, 2008 at the San Diego Sports Arena in San Diego, California. It was the fourth and final event promoted under the One Night Stand name. The event featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands. The main match on the SmackDown! brand was a Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship between Edge and The Undertaker with a stipulation that The Undertaker has to leave the WWE if he looses. The predominant match on the Raw brand was a Last Man Standing match for the WWE Championship between Triple H and Randy Orton. The primary match on the ECW brand was a Singapore Cane match involving The Big Show, CM Punk, John Morrison, Chavo Guerrero, and Tommy Dreamer. Featured matches on the undercard included Shawn Michaels versus Batista in a Stretcher match, and John Cena versus John "Bradshaw" Layfield in a First Blood match.
WWE Backlash 2008
Backlash (2008) was the tenth annual Backlash PPV. It took place on April 27, 2008 at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland. The event starred wrestlers from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands. The main event was a Fatal Four-Way Elimination for the WWE Championship match featuring WWE Champion Randy Orton, Triple H, John Cena, and John "Bradshaw" Layfield. The other main event featured wrestlers from the SmackDown brand, in which World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker defended against challenger Edge in a singles match. The main event from the ECW brand was a singles match where ECW Champion Kane defended against challenger Chavo Guerrero. In addition, a featured bout was scheduled on the undercard, in which Shawn Michaels fought Batista. Backlash (2008) had an attendance of approximately 11,277 and received 200,000 buys.
WWE The Great American Bash 2008
The Great American Bash (2008) was the fifth annual Great American Bash PPV. It was presented by AT&T and took place on July 20, 2008 at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York and featured talent from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands. The main match on the SmackDown brand was between Triple H and Edge for the WWE Championship. The primary match on the Raw brand was between CM Punk and Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship. The predominant match on the ECW brand was between Mark Henry and Tommy Dreamer for the ECW Championship. The featured matches on the undercard included John Cena versus John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) in a New York City Parking Lot Brawl and Shawn Michaels versus Chris Jericho. The event also crowned the first ever WWE Divas Champion, and it was the last pay-per-view event by WWE before transitioning to PG rating.
WWE Unforgiven 2008
Unforgiven (2008) was a PPV, which took place on September 7, 2008 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. It was the 11th and final annual Unforgiven event, starring wrestlers from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands. The main event of the pay-per-view was the Championship Scramble from the Raw brand. It was originally scheduled to feature World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk defending his title; he was replaced by Chris Jericho after Randy Orton attacked CM Punk. The Championship Scramble from the ECW brand featured ECW Champion Mark Henry defending the title. The SmackDown brand's Championship Scramble saw WWE Champion Triple H defend his championship. Another featured match on the undercard was a hardcore match in which Shawn Michaels fought Chris Jericho.
WWE No Mercy 2008
No Mercy (2008) was a PPV which took place on October 5, 2008 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. It was the 11th and final annual No Mercy event and starred wrestlers from the Raw, SmackDown and ECW brands. The first main event featured World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho defending his championship from Shawn Michaels in a ladder match. The other main event featured defending WWE Champion Triple H versus challenger Jeff Hardy in a singles match. Three featured bouts were scheduled on the undercard. In a singles match between Batista fought John "Bradshaw" Layfield for the chance become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship. Another singles match had the The Undertaker versus Big Show. The third was a singles match for the ECW Championship, in which the champion Mark Henry challenged champion Matt Hardy.
WWE Judgment Day 2008
Judgment Day (2008) was a PPV sponsored by Lionsgate's Rambo, which took place on May 18, 2008 at the Qwest Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. It was the tenth annual Judgment Day event and starred wrestlers from the Raw, SmackDown, and ECW brands. The RAW main event was a Steel Cage match featuring WWE Champion Triple H defending against Randy Ortonfor the title. In SmackDown's main match, Edge challenged The Undertaker for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship. In ECW's prime match, WWE Tag Team Champions John Morrison and The Miz defended against Kane and CM Punk. Other matches included Shawn Michaels versus Chris Jericho and John "Bradshaw" Layfield versus John Cena. Judgment Day received 252,000 pay-per-view buys.
WWE SummerSlam 2008
Hell in a Cell: The Undertaker vs. Edge WWE Championship: Triple H vs. The Great Khali World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. JBL
WWE Judgment Day 2006
Judgment Day (2006) was the eighth annual Judgment Day PPV. It was presented by Vyotech Nutritionals and took place on May 21, 2006 at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona and featured talent from the SmackDown! brand. The main event was Rey Mysterio versus John "Bradshaw" Layfield for the World Heavyweight Championship. One of the predominant matches on the card was Booker T versus Bobby Lashley in the finals of the 2006 King of the Ring tournament. Another primary match on the undercard was Kurt Angle versus Mark Henry.
WWE Royal Rumble 2005
Royal Rumble (2005) was the eighteenth annual Royal Rumble PPV. It was presented by PlayStation and took place on January 30, 2005 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California and featured talent from both the Raw and SmackDown! brands. The main event was the annual 30-man Royal Rumble match, which featured wrestlers from both brands. The primary match on the Raw brand was Triple H versus Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship. The primary match on the SmackDown! brand was a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship between reigning champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield, Kurt Angle, and The Big Show.
WWE No Way Out 2005
No Way Out (2005) was the seventh annual No Way Out PPV. It was presented by Subway and took place on February 20, 2005 from the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The main event featured a Barbed Wire Steel Cage match for the WWE Championship between reigning champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield and The Big Show. The predominant match on the undercard, was Kurt Angle versus John Cena, where the winner would face the WWE Champion for the title at WrestleMania 21
WWE WrestleMania 21
WrestleMania 21 was the twenty-first annual WrestleManiaPPV. It was presented by Snickers and took place on April 3, 2005 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The main match on the Raw brand was Triple H versus Batista for the World Heavyweight Championship. The predominant match on the SmackDown brand was John "Bradshaw" Layfield versus John Cena for the WWE Championship. Another primary match was an interpromotional match between The Undertaker versus Randy Orton. The featured matches on the undercard were Kurt Angle versus Shawn Michaels and a Money in the Bank ladder match. The event also featured the return of Stone Cold Steve Austin who started his part-time appearances with WWE at this event. The event drew a Staples Center record attendance of 20,193 people and grossed more than $2.1 million in ticket sales.
WWE The Great American Bash 2005
The Great American Bash (2005) was a professional wrestling PPV that took place on July 24, 2005, at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. The event featured wrestlers and other talent that performed on the SmackDown! program. The main event was Batista defending the World Heavyweight Championship against John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL). One of the featured matches on the undercard was Rey Mysterio versus Eddie Guerrero while the other was Orlando Jordan versus Chris Benoit for the WWE United States Championship. The event grossed over $375,000 in ticket sales from an attendance of 8,000, and received about 233,000 pay-per-view buys, the same amount as the following year's event. The event was also available free of charge for Armed Forces members and their families.
WWE Judgment Day 2005
Judgment Day (2005) was the seventh annual PPV of the same name and took place on May 22, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It was presented by Clearasil. The event featured wrestlers and other talent that performed on the SmackDown! program. The main event was an "I Quit" match featuring two wrestlers fighting until one stated "I Quit." WWE Champion John Cena defended the title against John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL). Two featured bouts were scheduled on the undercard. In respective standard wrestling matches, Rey Mysterio fought Eddie Guerrero and Kurt Angle fought Booker T.
WWE Survivor Series 2005
Survivor Series (2005) was the 19th annual Survivor Series PPV. It was presented by NovaLogic's Delta Force: Black Hawk Down and took place on November 27, 2005 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan and featured wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown! brands. The first of the main events was an interpromotional 5-on-5 Survivor Series match, a type of elimination match, between Team SmackDown! (Batista, Rey Mysterio, John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), Bobby Lashley, and Randy Orton) and Team Raw (Shawn Michaels, Kane, The Big Show, Carlito, and Chris Masters). The other main event was a standard wrestling match between wrestlers from the Raw brand, in which WWE Champion John Cena defended his title against Kurt Angle. Another match was a Last Man Standing match between Triple H and Ric Flair.
