John Bradshaw Layfield, better known as JBL, like Barry Windham is a native of Sweetwater, Texas. JBL, born on November 29, 1966 lands at number nine on our list of top ten Texas pro wrestlers. JBL was a starter on the offensive line at Abilene Christian University before his wrestling career. In 1992, JBL started his wrestling career with the Global Wrestling Federation in Texas.
JBL made his debut in the WWF in 1996. A year later he would be paired with Barry Windham to form, ‘The New Blackjacks’ under the name Blackjack Bradshaw. He started to make a name for himself after being teamed with Faarooq to form The Acolytes. The pair won WWF tag team titles and later changed their name to the A.P.A (Acolytes Protection Agency). The APA showed up more often in backstage skits, and Bradshaw would become a fan favorite. The APA's motto was, “because we need beer money”.
JBL went on to focus on his singles career in 2002 turning heel, but it would be 2004 before Bradshaw changed his gimmick and was known as JBL. He harnessed his real life persona and turned into a wealthy, big mouthed businessman. Getting out of a limo with his cowboy hat and boots, he became one of the biggest heels in the WWE. JBL would go on to win the WWE Championship by defeating Eddie Guerrero. He held the title for an unprecedented nine months (280 days), before losing to John Cena at Wrestlemania XXI. JBL would be billed as the longest reigning champion in WWE Smackdown history.
JBL, the master of the 'clothesline from hell', is one of only 10 men to be a WWE grand slam champion. He captured the WWE Championship, Tag Team Championship, Intercontinental Championship, Hardcore Championship, and the WWE European Championship in his career. JBL also spent time as a color commentator on Smackdown. He was highly regarded in that role, before returning back to the ring. His last match was at Wrestlemania XXV losing the Intercontinental title to Rey Mysterio. JBL currently resides in New York and has been a contributor as a financial analyst on Fox News, CNN and CNBC. His radio show, The John Bradshaw Layfield Show is syndicated to over 150 stations.
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