10 Times WWE Wrestlers Escaped Booking Hell

John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield was notable for escaping constricting gimmicks. He debuted on 27 January 1996 as Justin ‘Hawk’ Bradshaw - a heel draped in fringe who wielded a bullwhip. He had the toothless tactic of branding fallen opponents with “JB”, using ink rather than traditional searing. Later, was paired alongside Kayfabe cousin Barry Windham as The New Blackjacks. The team fell victim to wrestling’s “New” curse and achieved little of note.

Bradshaw’s character was reinvented when he teamed with Faarooq as Hell’s Henchmen. After their manager, The Jackyl, left the company, the two were coopted into the Ministry of Darkness becoming The Acolytes. Backstage workings again sent the team on a tangent when Ministry leader The Undertaker took time away from the business. Bradshaw and Faarooq founded the Acolytes Protection Agency, a couple of mercenaries who’d beat-down anybody for beer money. The act saw the duo strike a balance between rough wrestling and comedy.

When the APA split during the 2002 Draft, Bradshaw was limited to the midcard. When he nudged his gimmick closer to his true self, he became JBL - a rich, swanky, Texan heel – a change which boosted him to win the WWE Championship.