5 Superstars who rose to main-event status during their time on SmackDown 

#3 John " Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL)

JBL was the longest reigning World Champion on SmackDown for over a decade

One of the most controversial figures in the business, John Bradshaw Layfield made a name for himself as part of APA alongside Faarooq (Ron Simmons). The duo would win the WWE Tag Team Championship on three separate occasions before Bradshaw branched out to singles competition in 2002.

In 2004, Bradshaw would develop a character which saw him as an aristocrat, coming out to the ring in limousines and referring to himself as John 'Bradshaw' Layfield.

JBL defeated Eddie Guerrero in a Texas Bullrope Match to win the WWE Championship at The Great American Bash 2004. He successfully defended his championship against the likes of The Undertaker, Booker T, Kurt Angle, and The Big Show.

JBL would lose the WWE Championship to John Cena at WrestleMania 21. His title reign of 280 days is the second-longest world title reign in SmackDown history behind AJ Styles.

JBL retired from in-ring competition following his quick loss to Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 25. Following his retirement, the former WWE Champion has taken up multiple roles inside the company.

He was the General Manager/ Commissioner of NXT for a brief period and was the lead color commentator for SmackDown before leaving the booth in September 2017.