WWE legend JBL thinks wrestlers should stop doing one thing in interviews
John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) wrestled for WWE between 1995 and 2009 before becoming a commentator. The WWE Hall of Famer recently gave his thoughts on how current wrestlers should discuss their on-screen personas in interviews.
In 2004, Layfield held the WWE Championship when he appeared at a Tribute to the Troops event in Iraq. The former APA member acted as a comedic heel at the show. He also wore a beekeeper outfit and pretended he feared being attacked.
On Something to Wrestle, Layfield said his character alteration that day made sense as part of the storyline. Regarding other wrestlers adjusting their television personalities, he claimed some people "kill" their characters in media interviews:
"I've seen so many interviews, not that Meltzer [Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer] has done these, but did interviews with guys," Layfield stated. "They say, 'Are you very much like your character?' and the guys will say on a podcast, 'No, no, I'm nothing like my character.' You're just killing yourself." [1:14:21 – 1:14:34]
Layfield believes wrestlers would benefit more from letting audiences think they mean the things they say on television. Elaborating on his performance in Iraq, the 58-year-old added that heels must have multiple layers to stay at the top level for a long time.
JBL reflects on making fun of soldiers
In real life, John Bradshaw Layfield has been a long-time supporter of the United States Armed Forces. He even created the Tribute to the Troops concept and pitched the idea to former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.
Layfield also clarified why his villainous character took several digs at military members at Tribute to the Troops 2004:
"I thought this was something JBL would do. JBL would show up in a warzone and be scared to death, basically make fun of the soldiers. I'd tell them. I said, 'Listen, next time you start a war, can you do it in the Mediterranean or somewhere? This place s*cks.' I'd say stuff that would be JBL character, but to me I didn't think it hurt me because this is something JBL would do." [1:16:59 – 1:17:22]
The segment ended with The Big Show confronting Layfield. The seven-foot star punched the then-WWE Champion, forcing him to fall through the ropes to the outside of the ring.
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