10 Most Poisonous Backstage Influences In WWE History

10. JBL

Long before he became a smiling colour commentator on WWE programming, John Layfield was known as both Bradshaw and JBL inside the ring. Best known for his success as a tag-team wrestler, the man successfully transitioned into a solo career in 2004. Changing up his gimmick, Layfield morphed into a sickeningly rich millionaire. The bully-boy tactics favoured by the character weren't a million miles away from his persona behind the scenes. There are numerous examples of JBL literally throwing his weight around, making life intolerable for those he deemed easy to pick on. One of those people was The Blue Meanie, who was battered for real by Layfield during an in-ring brawl at the One Night Stand 2005 Pay-Per-View. Another was harmless announcer Joey Styles, who was routinely on the receiving end of bullying by the man. Finally having enough, the former ECW commentator punched the wrestler, knocking him down and ruining his hard man image. That incident seemed to humble JBL, who has seemingly been more tolerant and easy-going since then. However, in his prime, there were few more into bully tactics than Bradshaw.