An opinion-dividing colour commentator for most of his WWE career, Matt Striker enjoyed early success as an in-ring worker on the ill-fated ECW brand. With the gimmick of an obnoxious, patronising teacher, Striker proved an effective heel among the typically rough-edged hardcore veterans of ECW. In fact, his unlikeable persona may have carried over slightly into the locker room, as Striker has since revealed his unpopularity among his peers in his early years. As well as rumours of discontent during his experimental partnership with Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler at the announce table - the pair reportedly detesting the fact that Striker talked too much and pandered to the internet crowd - he also had a notable altercation with JBL in his early days with the WWE. The notorious locker room figurehead was drunk and boasted that he could kick Striker's ass; Matt, taking the threat seriously, reluctantly stood up and began to make his way outside for a beating. JBL and other established wrestlers were impressed by Striker's bravery, mistakenly believing he was more than willing to fight back and defend himself.
