WWF/WWE

Layfield signed a contract with the World Wrestling Federation in 1995 and debuted as Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw. After a few forgettable angles, Bradshaw teamed up with Farooq to form The Acolytes. The Acolytes were part of The Undertaker's Ministry of Darkness. When that faction dissolved, The Acolytes became known as the Acolytes Protection Agency (APA) brawlers-for-hire. The team won several Tag Team Titles.⁴

In 2004, Layfield changed his ring name to JBL and went on a singles push. He went on have an extended run as the WWE Champion, feuding with the likes of Batista and Rey Mysterio.⁴

JBL retired from wrestling in 2006 and became a commentator on SmackDown. He came out of retirement at the end of 2007 to compete again for the WWE Championship.⁴

Serial Entrepreneur

Layfield's JBL character is based on his real life success as a stock market investor. He has appeared on FOX News and CNBC to give financial insight. Layfield also has a best selling book titled Have More Money Now.¹

In addition to his wrestling and financial work, Layfield markets his own line of fishing lures.⁵ He also has developed and sells Mamajuana Energy, which Layfield markets as "sex in bottle."⁶ ⁷

Taking His Work Home

On February 12, 2005, Layfield married Meredith Whitney. Like Layfield, Whitney is a television broadcaster who provides financial commentary on FOX News.² Whitney made news in October of 2007, when she predicted the losses and job cuts at Citigroup. In August of 2008, Whitney again made headlines with her predictions that the credit crisis in the United States would continue.⁸

John Layfield

The Mahalo Top 7

WWE.com: JBL
Wikipedia: John Layfield
Slam! Sports: John Bradshaw Layfield
TheStreet: JBL: The Ultimate Equity Tag-Team
IMDb: John Layfield
TV.com: John Leyfield Profile
YouTube Video: JBL Entrance Video (Titantron) (Time: 3:33)

John Layfield Photos

Yahoo! Image Search: John Bradshaw Layfield
WWE: JBL Photos
PSDSpy: John Bradshaw Layfield PSD's
Flickr: John Bradshaw Layfield of the WWE
Google Image Search: John Bradshaw Layfield

John Layfield Videos

YouTube: Jeff Hardy vs Bradshaw (Hardcore match) (Time: 8:10)
YouTube: Bradshaw and Johnny Stramboli (Time: 2:03)
YouTube: WWE JBL and Faarooq (Time: 2:27)
YouTube: JBL's Title Reign Tribute (Time: 5:17)
YouTube: JBL Entrance Video (Time: 3:33)

John Layfield News and Articles

Google News: John Layfield
Yahoo! Search Results: John Layfield

John Layfield Fansites, Blogs, and Forums

TheDesertSpectacle: Video - Who is John “Bradshaw” Layfield from Bulls and Bears on Fox Noise
TheStreet: JBL: Big Dreams and Bigger Dollars
BodyBuilding: John Bradshaw Layfield
WWE: JBL's Blog Archive

John Layfield Timeline

November 29, 1966: Born
1985-1989: Played four years at Abilene Christian University as a starting offensive lineman.
1990: Signed with the Los Angeles Raiders as a undrafted free agent but was released before the season started.
1991: Signed with the San Antonio Riders of the World League of American Football.
1992: Debuts with the Global Wrestling Federation.
1992: Wins the NWA North American Heavyweight Title by defeating Kevin Von Erich.
1995: Signs with the WWE and wrestles under the name Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw.
1998: Now wrestling under the name Bradshaw, is teamed with Farooq as a tag team called The Acolytes.
1998: The Acolytes form a alliance with The Undertaker's Ministry of Darkness.
1998: After the Ministry splits up, Farooq and Bradshaw form the Acolyte Protection Agency (APA).
2002: After numerous hilarious skits together, the team is split up.
2002: Wins the WWE Hardcore Title 18 times.
2002: The APA is reformed with Bradshaw having a new cleaned up look.
2002: Layfield releases his own financial self help book called "Have More Money Now".
2004: Farooq retires from wrestling. Bradshaw starts a new heel storyline and renames himself John Bradshaw Layfield, or JBL.
2004: Wins his 1st ever WWE World Heavyweight title from Eddie Guerrero.
2005 Loses the WWE Championship to John Cena at WrestleMania 21.
2005: Announces his retirement from wrestling.

Guide Note

Fast Facts