WWE veteran reveals how real-life heat with JBL began (Exclusive)

John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) recently reflected on his WWE career in the late 1990s on an episode of Something to Wrestle with host Conrad Thompson. The Hall of Famer criticized Vince Russo several times during the show, prompting the former WWE writer to reveal how their animosity began.

Vince Russo was WWE's co-head writer alongside Ed Ferrara in 1998 and 1999. According to JBL, Russo allegedly thought his accent "sounded stupid" and wanted him to sound less Southern. The Texas native also described the one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion's career as an "abysmal failure."

On Sportskeeda Wrestling's Writing With Russo, Russo told host Dr. Chris Featherstone he did not think Southern accents resonated with wrestling fans. The 63-year-old thought only one high-profile wrestler from the South, Sycho Sid, appealed to audiences. However, that was due to his size rather than his promo ability:

"Bro, outside of that [Sid], who on the highest level ever got over with a Southern accent in the wrestling business?" Russo said. "And why do I say that, bro? Yes, because I am a New Yorker, and you could lump New York in there with Chicago and you could lump Chicago in there with LA. When you go to those three big cities and they hear somebody with a Southern accent, in their minds that's not a tough guy. That's just the way it is, bro. That's life." [12:16 – 12:53]

JBL also said Russo must have disliked Steve Austin's accent because the WWE Hall of Famer is from Texas. However, Russo clarified he had no problem with the WWE icon's promos because he "did not have a Southern accent."

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Vince Russo addresses JBL's Brawl for All comment

In 1998, JBL participated in the Brawl for All shoot-fighting tournament. Vince Russo has claimed for many years that he pitched the idea after hearing JBL brag about being the toughest guy in WWE. However, the former APA member dismissed Russo's version of events and accused him of lying.

Later in the Writing With Russo episode, Russo reiterated that JBL's backstage comment prompted him to suggest Brawl for All to then-WWE Chairman Vince McMahon:

"Obviously I wasn't making anything up about the Brawl for All because he contradicted himself in the same sentence by saying, 'Oh, I didn't say it. Oh, yeah, I might have said it kidding around.' No, bro, you said it, period, end of story. That's where I got the idea from and I pitched it to Vince. And what, bro? You're calling it my bad idea when Vince is the one that has to approve it? Vince approved it, bro! I just pitched the idea to Vince like I pitched Vince a million ideas. Vince said, 'Yeah, let's do that,' and we did it." [13:03 – 13:37]

Russo also called the WWE legend a "mark" and explained why he does not plan to address these topics again in 2025.

What are your thoughts on John Bradshaw Layfield and Vince Russo's legitimate heat? Hit the discuss button and let us know.

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