JBL swaps microphone for another run in ring

Brian Fritz | Special to the Sentinel

February 16, 2008

When John Bradshaw Layfield enters the ring, fans call him many unflattering things. That's to be expected because he is one of the most-hated characters in World Wrestling Entertainment.

One other thing they can call him is "successful."

The big man from Sweetwater, Texas, has had an accomplished wrestling career dating to 1992, which has seen him win multiple titles -- including the WWE championship. Outside the ring, he's a financial wizard -- offering his valuable insight on the Fox Business Channel and other media outlets to go along with a best-selling book, Have More Money Now.

Layfield thought his wrestling career was over in June 2006 when he retired after a series of back injuries. He wasn't far removed from the action, though, because he became the color commentator for Friday Night Smackdown, alongside Michael Cole.

But just last month Layfield decided to take off the headset and return to the ring.

So why would a guy who does just as well on Wall Street as he does in a street fight get back in the mix?

"I just wanted a chance to come back because I didn't like the way I went out," he said. "My back was hurting so bad, I wasn't able to work out. I was fat and out of shape -- I'm still out of shape a little bit -- but I didn't want the last memory of me to be that fat, out-of-shape guy that was in the ring."

JBL said he will be 100 percent by the time WrestleMania 24 rolls around on March 30, and he hopes to have a significant match in the Florida Citrus Bowl. He will continue to work off the rust on this Sunday's No Way Out pay-per-view where he will be one of six wrestlers in an Elimination Chamber match, with the winner challenging for the WWE championship at WrestleMania.

Others in the match include Raw superstars Chris Jericho (Chris Irvine), Triple H (Paul Levesque), Shawn Michaels (Michael Hickenbottom), Jeff Hardy and Umaga (Eddie Fatu).

"These matches have a chance of being really, really good," he said, "and there's the downside risk of really, really bad. I'm surrounded by a load of talent on the Raw side. I think it's going to be really good. It's just a matter of keeping different parts moving and picking your spots."

Outside the ring, the businessman has a new and unique project -- MamaJuana Energy -- an energy drink for the everyday man with something a little extra.

"It gives a normal, healthy, virile person a boost," JBL said. "If you're out, if you're tired, you've been drinking, whatever -- this stuff will take you back to prom night."

For now, the drink is only available at MamajuanaEnergy.com, but he hopes to have it in retail stores in the coming months.

If the product is as effective as he says, let's hope he's handing out samples at the Citrus Bowl -- after WrestleMania.

NO WAY OUT

No Way Out will also have a second Elimination Chamber match among Batista (Dave Bautista), Undertaker (Mark Calaway), The Great Khali (Dalip Singh Rana), Big Daddy V (Nelson Frazier Jr.), Montel Vontavious Porter (Alvin Burke Jr.) and Finlay (Dave Finlay Jr.).

Other matches include Randy Orton defending the WWE championship against John Cena , Edge (Adam Copeland) facing Rey Mysterio (Oscar Gutierrez) for the world heavyweight title, Chavo Guerrero vs. CM Punk (Phil Brooks) for the ECW Championship and Mr. Kennedy (Ken Anderson) vs. Ric Flair (Richard Fliehr).

There could be one major change as Mysterio injured his right biceps on Wednesday at a show in Santiago, Chile. No word on who Edge would face. If the injury is as bad as feared, he could be sidelined for months and forced to miss WrestleMania for the second consecutive year. He was recovering from knee surgery in 2007.

No Way Out looks good, although having two chamber matches on the same show probably is overkill. Afterward, we should finally -- finally -- have answers on some WrestleMania matches.

Send Brian Fritz e-mail at fritz@betweentheropes.com.

HOT RUMOR

Cross Hulk Hogan off your WrestleMania wish list. The Sun in London is reporting that he and Eric Bischoff are working on a deal with a U.S. TV network to launch a rival wrestling promotion soon.

FIRST LOOK

The first WrestleMania 24 merchandise has been posted on WWE.com -- T-shirts, a cap, a visor and a sweatshirt. Also available? Wristbands and dog tags -- obviously for the John Cena fans.

NO DRAMA

On last week's Raw, Santino Marella (Anthony Carelli) issued an ultimatum to his on-screen girlfriend Maria Kanellis. On Monday, she'll choose him -- or posing for Playboy. Gee, what will happen . . .?

PURE FACT

Jim Hellwig, better known as the Ultimate Warrior, legally changed his name to Warrior in 1993.

THE BOTTOM LINE

WrestleMania 24 is March 30 at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com or by calling (407) 849-2020.

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JBL swaps microphone for another run in ring

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