10 Most Cringeworthy Political Angles In WWE History
6. JBL's Border Patrol
Faarooq and Bradshaw were a huge hit as the mercenary-like Acolytes Protection Agency, and a number of eyebrows were raised when they split. The duo were pulled apart in the initial Brand Split, but they came back together shortly after, only to go their separate ways again in 2004. Paul Heyman fired Faarooq, but claimed management saw a lot of potential in Bradshaw, who was retained on SmackDown.
It ushered in the most successful period of Bradshaw’s career. He was reborn as JBL, a JR Ewing-style venture capitalist heel, and immediately went on a huge main event push. JBL won the Wrestling Observer’s “Best Gimmick” award in 2004, and embarked on a 280-day reign as WWE Champion after beating Eddie Guerrero at the 2004 Great American Bash.
Sadly, the JBL gimmick got off to an embarrassing start. His first promo saw him roaming around the Mexican border in Texas, hunting down illegal immigrants so that he could earn a “Great American Award,” and claim title contendership. It’s one of the dumbest segments you’ll ever see, but JBL was successful: he ambushed a family cross the border and promptly proceeded to “kick them out.”
“You go back to Mexico and tell your Mexican family they’d better stay there!” 10 points for subtlety, John...