10 Reasons Why JBL Is WWE's Most Controversial Figure
5. (Allegedly) Forcing Three Departures
JBL's last major controversy came this spring, when he was implicated as the potential source of Mauro Ranallo's prolonged absence from WWE television. Sidelined with a severe bout of depression brought on by his bipolar disorder, the popular announcer left SmackDown in March, with lifelong friend Bas Rutten suggesting that JBL's bullying had triggered the illness.
Ranallo and the company "mutually agreed to part ways" in April, with Mauro stating that his departure "had nothing to do with JBL." Still, the rumours stuck, and while Ranallo eventually returned to the company through NXT, a number of other sources (including Dave Meltzer) have corroborated Rutten's story.
If true, this wouldn't be the first time Bradshaw's actions have forced another employee out of the company. It happened in 2001, when former WCW referee Billy Silverman decided to resign as a result of JBL's hazing, and again in 2005, when Palmer Canon walked out of the company.
Brought in as a UPN network representative on SmackDown, Canon was originally supposed to transition to a wrestling role, but fell victim to JBL on an international tour. Instead of putting up with it, Palmer said "screw this," flew himself home, and was granted his release a few days later.