WWE Hall of Famer John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield got under the skin of many fans during his infamous primary roster run as ‘JBL,’ especially fans of Eddie Guerrero or Rey Mysterio, with whom he had heated feuds. Today, the retired veteran still seems to enjoy riling fans up, and in an appearance on the “Something To Wrestle” podcast, he took credit for not only one in every of the most important stars in WWE history but one in every of their biggest eras.
“Should you’re any form of wrestling historian in any respect, you will know that I, JBL, singlehandedly am answerable for ‘Austin 3:16,’ ‘Stone Cold Steve Austin,’ and your entire Attitude Era, and winning the Monday Night Wars against WCW,” he boldly proclaimed. JBL then explained that back on the 1996 King of the Ring tournament, where ‘Austin 3:16′ was invented as a response to Jake “The Snake” Roberts’ religious gimmick, he was the one to wrestle Roberts.
“If I had not lost to Jake Roberts – I believe I had Vader’s number, I’d’ve beat Vader, then I’d go to the ring and get Stone Cold…I could have won, but even when I lost, there was no reason to chop a spiritual promo on me.”
Roberts was portraying a Born-Again character, to reflect his real-life faith, which gave Austin the inspiration to show “John 3:16” into the famous phrase.
“There would not have been an ‘Austin 3:16’ if I beat Jake Roberts, and there would not have been an Attitude Era, and WWE would not have won the Monday Night Wars, and we’d not be having 3:16 Stone Cold Steve Austin day on Monday Night Raw; you are welcome, world,” the veteran proclaimed, jokingly piping in applause via a soundboard through the show.
Should you use any quotes from this text, please credit “Something To Wrestle” and supply a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.