9 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE SmackDown From 2004
1. JBL’s Rise Is Even More Impressive With Hindsight
On that same 18 March show, APA duo Bradshaw and Faarooq lost a tag-team title shot vs. Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty. Going in, GM Paul Heyman had threatened to fire Ron Simmons if the pair couldn't bag the belts. Bradshaw stuck around, which incensed Faarooq/Simmons and caused a clean break for the one time Acolytes.
Yes, another one. Not quite as heartbreaking as the first, but still.
Then, Bradshaw cut a fairly dull promo on the 25 March show with his new JBL look and music. He spoke about being a top financial analyst and becoming “an impact player” as fans sat on their hands. Here's the deal: Nothing about Bradshaw's new look or characterisation screamed 'future main eventer', but he was working with Eddie Guerrero for the WWE Title by May.
By June, JBL had won the belt and was one of the best heels in the company. What a turnaround. Keep in mind that Bradshaw took the fall in that loss to Rikishi and Scotty 2 Hotty on 18 March, so it's hardly like WWE were going above and beyond to protect him before the heel turn and repackaging. They presumably didn't expect JBL to take off the way he did and become SmackDown's main man for the rest of 2004.
Being fair, Bradshaw deserved one almighty pat on the back for making the most of what appeared to be an uninspired retelling of Ted DiBiase's 'Million Dollar Man' gimmick mixed with J.R Ewing from old TV show Dallas. This could've flopped, and his debut promo with the hat and suit barely lit SmackDown up, but then JBL got to work and became a credit to the headline scene.
What else did you learn from watching every episode of WWE SmackDown from 2004? For more wrestling, check out 10 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE SmackDown From 2002 and 12 Things You Learn Binge Watching Every WWE SmackDown From 2003!