10 Wrestlers Who Ruined Their Own Legacy

10. John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield

Despite popularity as a member of the Acolytes, John Layfield's true renaissance came in 2004 when his character unexpectedly shifted completely into an egocentric, money-obsessed American patriot. It worked so well that he ascended to the WWE Championship.

Many people remember JBL more though for his presence on WWE commentary for the better part of ten years.

Stories about Layfield working stiff have always been rumoured but it was around 2017 that the allegations of bullying became much more vocal. Fans called for the man to be fired from TV and many got sick of hearing him commentate after reading the accounts of victims. Justin Roberts, the former WWE announcer, said in his autobiography that JBL had stolen his passport and many ex-WWE stars also described Layfield as a bully.

In April 2017, NXT announcer Mauro Ranallo left the company and, whilst he claimed it wasn’t the case, many viewers felt that comments JBL had made on air about Mauro had affected the commentator’s mental wellbeing.

JBL was forced to make a statement claiming that he had pranked many stars but that the WWE “had addressed” his actions years ago. In September of the same year, with the wrestling community sick of the sound of him, Layfield opted to leave the company to pursue other interests.