JBL To Leave WWE SmackDown
'Justin Hawk' tired of talk.
SmackDown's 'premier' colour announcer and former WWE Champion John 'Bradshaw' Lawfield announced on Friday night that he is "stepping away" from the booth to switch his attention fully to his charitable pursuits - though he will continue to make WWE appearances on bigger shows and at important media junkets.
In a statement released on social media, the Texan made his position clear:
"After much consideration, I will be stepping back my weekly role as Smackdown Announcer to dedicate more continuous time on the work I have done since 2010 with at risk kids and communities. My new schedule will allow me to continue to be a part of the WWE family and also continue my work that I feel is the most important thing in my life. I will continue my 20+ year relationship with WWE and will appear on such marquee shows as Tribute to the Troops, WrestleMania, amongst others.
AdvertisementWith the help of Beyond Sport, I founded Beyond Rugby Bermuda in 2010--which has been recognized as one of the world's best charities for work with at risk, gang focused, youth intervention. Beyond Rugby Bermuda won the 2014 NACRA Fair Play Award out of 7,000 programs and 17 countries for its work with at risk kids. I was named as a Beyond Sport Global Ambassador--an organization backed by all major sports leagues in the U.S.
I'm proud to say that in addition to being Smackdown's longest reigning WWE Champion, I inspired WWE's Tribute to the Troops over 10 years ago. WWE has been my partner in all my philanthropic works and this new deal with WWE ensures that will continue. WWE has made my dreams come true and helped me become a global name. And now, WWE is helping me use that name to make a difference."
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With Layfield set to depart the SmackDown announce team, a chair will be free besides lead commentator Tom Phillips and mascot Byron Saxton, though there is as yet no word from WWE on who will occupy the empty seat.
JBL's voluntarily departure comes a few short months after he was embroiled in a bullying scandal largely attributed as reason for former SmackDown play-by-play Mauro Ranallo leaving the company. Though JBL was never formally punished for his backstage antics, Ranallo has since returned to WWE, albeit in a straitened capacity. The self-proclaimed 'Wrestling God's decision to remove the headset seems to draw a welcome line under the matter.