John Charles Layfield (born November 29, 1966)[3] is a former American professional wrestler and a former commentator/host for mixed martial arts promotion Vyper Fight League.[5] Layfield is best known by his ring names, Bradshaw, John "Bradshaw" Layfield or JBL from his time in World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was the longest reigning WWE Champion in SmackDown history with a reign lasting 280 days. Layfield's main gimmick as John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) – a wealthy, gladhanding businessman – was based on Layfield's real-life accomplishments as a stock market investor. Layfield is a regular 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. (ISBN 0-7434-6633-0). Layfield also hosts a weekend talk radio program, syndicated nationally by Talk Radio Network, in which he discusses his conservative political views.[6] Layfield is also employed by Northeast Securities as its Senior Vice President.[7] 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).[8] He is also recognized as the twentieth Triple Crown Champion, and the tenth Grand Slam Champion . Contents 1 Football 2 Professional wrestling career 2.1 Global Wrestling Federation (1992–1994) 2.2 World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment (1996–2009) 2.2.1 Debut (1996–1997) 2.2.2 New Blackjacks (1997–1998) 2.2.3 The Acolytes / Acolytes Protection Agency (1998–2002) 2.2.4 Singles competition (2002–2003) 2.2.5 APA reunion (2003–2004) 2.2.6 JBL, WWE Champion and the Cabinet (2004–2005) 2.2.7 Various feuds and United States Champion (2005–2006) 2.2.8 Semi retirement and commentator (2006–2007) 2.2.9 In-ring return, Various feuds and Pursuit of the World Heavyweight Championship (2007–2008) 2.2.10 Feud with Shawn Michaels, Intercontinental Champion, departure (2008–2009) 2.2.11 Return (2011) 3 Mixed martial arts career 3.1 Vyper Fight League (2009–2010) 4 Personal life 5 In wrestling 6 Championships and accomplishments 6.1 College football 6.2 Professional wrestling 7 Notes 8 External links [edit] Football Prior to his professional wrestling career, Layfield was a collegiate American football coach for Trinity Valley Community College and player for Abilene Christian University.[9] At Abilene, Layfield was a two-year starter on the offensive line and was named first-team All-Lone Star Conference as a junior and senior. Layfield signed with the Los Angeles Raiders as an undrafted free agent, but was released before the 1990 season began. Layfield did play in the World League of American Football, starting all ten games of the 1991 season at right tackle for the San Antonio Riders, wearing jersey number 61. [edit] Professional wrestling career [edit] Global Wrestling Federation (1992–1994) Layfield was trained initially by Brad Rheingans and first started wrestling in the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF) in Texas. His first gimmick was as Johnny Hawk, storyline cousin of the Windham brothers. He formed the tag team "Texas Mustangs" with Bobby Duncum, Jr.; they quickly won the GWF Tag Team Championship from Rough Riders (Black Bart and Johnny MantellE) on November 27[10] but dropped the titles to Bad Breed (Ian and Axl Rotten) on January 29, 1993. Later that year, Hawk won his second GWF Tag Team Championship with Black Bart on December 25 from Steve Dane and Chaz Taylor.[10] They held the title for a long time before losing them to The Fabulous Freebirds (Jimmy Garvin and Terry Gordy) on June 3, 1994. Layfield also won the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship on January 14, 1995, defeating Kevin Von Erich.[11] Two months later, he lost the NWA North American Title to Greg "The Hammer" Valentine. [edit] World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment (1996–2009) [edit] Debut (1996–1997) After three and a half years touring the independent circuit, Layfield signed a contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in late 1995 and debuted in January 1996 as Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw.[1] His initial gimmick was that of a tough cowboy/mountain man.[12] After victories, he branded his opponents with the symbol "JB" in ink, rather than being seared into the flesh. Managed by Uncle Zebekiah, the character fizzled out by the end of the year, perhaps remembered only for a feud with Savio Vega and a match with Fatu which he won in eight seconds. [edit] New Blackjacks (1997–1998) Main article: The New Blackjacks Layfield paired up with his storyline cousin Barry Windham to form The New Blackjacks, complete with the traditional "Blackjack" handlebar mustaches and short, jet black hair.[13] Windham's injuries piled up throughout 1997, so the team disbanded, and Layfield wrestled only occasionally on TV as "Blackjack Bradshaw", sometimes teaming with fellow Texan Terry Funk.[14] He earned a shot at the NWA North American Heavyweight Championship against Jeff Jarrett at No Way Out of Texas: In Your House and won by disqualification but Jarrett retained the title because a title cannot change hands by a disqualification.[15] In 1998, he wrestled as a mid-carder wrestling the likes of Marc Mero at Mayhem in Manchester,[16] Kaientai (Funaki, Dick Togo, and Men's Teioh) with Taka Michinoku in a handicap match at Over the Edge,[17] and Vader in a Falls Count Anywhere match at Breakdown.[18] [edit] The Acolytes / Acolytes Protection Agency (1998–2002) Main article: Acolytes Protection Agency In late 1998, Bradshaw teamed alongside former Nation of Domination member Faarooq to form the tag team Hell's Henchmen, managed by the Jackyl. After the Jackyl left the WWF, Faarooq and Bradshaw joined The Undertaker's new Ministry of Darkness under the name The Acolytes.[19] The Ministry went on to feud with the Corporation. As part of the Ministry, Bradshaw feuded with Ken Shamrock. The two stables would soon unite as the Corporate Ministry, but disbanded after Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated the Undertaker at Fully Loaded. When the Undertaker went on hiatus in September, Bradshaw and Faarooq's dark gimmick faded. On the May 31, 1999 edition of Raw is War, the Acolytes (still with the Corporate Ministry) won their first WWF Tag Team Championship by defeating Kane and X-Pac.[20] On the July 5 edition of Raw is War, they dropped the titles to the Hardy Boyz (Matt and Jeff)[21] before defeating the Hardyz and their manager Michael "P.S." Hayes at Fully Loaded for their second WWF Tag Team Championship.[22] On the August 9 edition of Raw is War, they lost the titles to Kane and X-Pac. The duo became fan favorites and changed their gimmick to cigar-smoking, bar-brawlers-for-hire.[19] In jeans and t-shirts, Faarooq and Bradshaw became the Acolytes Protection Agency (APA), with a motto of "because we need beer money." The duo was often seen in the backrooms of arenas with a poker table and later a framed doorway comically in the middle of the often large, open aired hallways; they insisted that anyone entering the space use the door. Occasionally, if the "room" was destroyed in one arena, it was set up exactly as it was destroyed at the next arena, pushing continuity through time and space for comic effect. The Acolytes earned a shot at the WWF Tag Title at the Royal Rumble against the New Age Outlaws (Road Dogg and Billy Gunn), but lost the match.[23] Their next shot at the title was at Fully Loaded when they faced Edge and Christian. The Acolytes won the match by disqualification but did not become champions.[24] After unsuccessfully challenging for the tag title in 2000, APA won their third WWF Tag Team Championship on the July 9, 2001 edition of Raw is War by defeating the Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von).[25] On the August 9 edition of SmackDown!, they lost the tag title to Alliance members Diamond Dallas Page and Chris Kanyon.[26] On the October 22 edition of Raw is War, Bradshaw defeated The Hurricane to win the WWF European Championship, his first singles title in the WWF.[27] He lost the title to Christian on the November 1 edition of SmackDown!.[28] At No Way Out in 2002, APA won a Tag Team Turmoil match[29] and as a result, they challenged for the tag title at WrestleMania X8 along with Hardys and Dudleys, in a Four Corners Elimination match. The champions Billy and Chuck retained their title.[30] [edit] Singles competition (2002–2003) Layfield at a 2002 house show during his time as Bradshaw. Shortly after WrestleMania, Faarooq and Bradshaw split due to the WWE Draft. Layfield was drafted to Raw where his Bradshaw gimmick had an increased emphasis on his Texas roots, which included him carrying a cowbell to the ring. Bradshaw joined the hardcore division after debuting on Raw and won the WWE Hardcore Championship seventeen times, with his first title win coming over Steven Richards.[31] He renamed the title the Texas Hardcore Championship. It was also during this time that his finishing move was briefly renamed from the "Clothesline From Hell" to the "Clothesline From Texas" or the "Clothesline From Deep in the Heart of Texas". Jim Ross often called the move as such during his commentary, although the name eventually reverted back to the original "Clothesline From Hell". In the hardcore division, Bradshaw feuded and exchanged the title with the likes of Richards, Shawn Stasiak, Raven, Christopher Nowinski, Big Show, Justin Credible, Johnny Stamboli, Crash Holly, Jeff Hardy, and Tommy Dreamer,[31] before the title was unified by WWE Intercontinental Champion Rob Van Dam in August 2002. In September 2002, Layfield suffered a torn left biceps at a house show. He was out of action for six months until returning to Ohio Valley Wrestlin
slam sports wrestling john bradshaw layfield
Canada, Sports news, scores, stats, features and more in Canada and abroad from SLAM! Sports Read the rest
john layfield wikipedia the free encyclopedia
Layfield is best known by his ring names, Bradshaw, John "Bradshaw" Layfield or JBL from his time in World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was the longest reigning WWE Read the rest
john layfield imdb
1999-2009 WWE Smackdown! (TV series) Bradshaw / JBL / John Bradshaw Layfield – Read the rest
online world of wrestling
Wrestler: John Bradshaw Layfield: Real Name: John Charles Layfield: Birthday: November 29, 1967: Hometown: Born in Sweetwater, Texas Lived in Houston, Texas Read the rest
john layfield facebook
John Layfield is on Facebook. Join Facebook to connect with John Layfield and others you may know. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more Read the rest
johnbradshawlayfield com
Read the rest
john layfield professional wrestler and entrepreneur media man
John "Bradshaw" Layfield aka JBL. News. Media Man Australia Financial News Media Read the rest
john 'bradshaw' layfield wwe
This page of WWE website talks about john 'bradshaw' layfield. Read the rest
john bradshaw layfield
Height: 6'7" Weight: 309 lbs . Real Name: John Layfield . DOB: 11/29/1967 . Hometown: Roscoe, Texas . Other Names: John Hawk (CWF/GWF), Justin Hawk Bradshaw (WWF), Blackjack Read the rest
john quot;bradshawquot; layfield on myspace
John "Bradshaw" Layfield's profile on Myspace, the leading social entertainment destination powered by the passion of our fans. Read the rest