10 Reasons Why JBL Is WWE's Most Controversial Figure

4. The Jim McGreevey Incident

JBL Podium
WWE Network

JBL fought and defeated The Undertaker in a successful WWE Championship defence at No Mercy 2004, but made bigger waves after the show had gone off the air. Two months after causing a stir by flashing Nazi salutes in Germany, Bradshaw grabbed a microphone, then cut a promo on New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey, announcing that the state was "only known for one thing - a governor who likes little boys."

It was another terrible attempt at garnering heel heat, made worse by the circumstances surrounding McGreevey at the time. Jim had recently come out as a homosexual, and without any evidence whatsoever, JBL decided that this was grounds to infer that he was a paedophile. In-character or not, it's a revolting remark, and one that he definitely should've been punished for.

On top of this, Rene Dupree has previously accused JBL of tormenting him with homophobic slurs, while Edge claims to have been sexually harassed by JBL in a locker-room shower. There's no outside evidence to back these two stories up, but the McGreevey incident reflects incredibly poorly on on JBL, particularly as it came so soon after what happened in Germany.

In this post: 
JBL
 
Posted On: 
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.