If you saw WWE RAW this past Monday, then you saw JBL (John Bradshaw Layfield) defeat CM Punk for his first Intercontinental Championship; in doing so, he also became the Grand Slam winner.
But now it seems as if he will not hold the Title long. Word has it that JBL has told people backstage that he will be retiring in May. Apparently, a storyline was removed from RAW not this past Monday, but the Monday before.
It featured him talking about a "historic thing" he would do at Wrestlemania 25. He was going to call out CM Punk, the IC Champ at the time.
It was dismissed, however, when they couldn't come up with a good way to end it.
But it looks like JBL is doing something historic after all. Since he is retiring in May, the IC Title will have to be taken off him, right?
Well, not exactly; he is going to make history as the only person ever to retire as IC Champion.
Similar to what Trish Stratus did with the Women's Championship, he will not lose it, but they will probably hold a tournament to crown a new winner once he retires.
The IC is a Legendary title, and such action has never been taken before with this specific award. Most likely, JBL will retire from action after Wrestlemania 25, but offically in May.
He has had back problems involving his kidneys for a while. The WWE used him as a color commentator in 2006 after he had to retire for the first time. He returned to wrestling action on RAW in early 2007.
He has always been good on the mic, so it was not a bad idea to have him commentate for a while. He is set financially, of course, with is real-life business. He is a millionaire outside of the WWE (and makes a good bit in the WWE too, I might add).
The former longest-reigning SmackDown World Champion was a great competitor for a long time. But I support his retirement, as he barely participates in matches, and when he does, he doesn't perform all that well.
Still, I think he's got one match left, and I believe it'll be the opener at Wrestlemania.
Since we are going to see JBL and Kozlov against HBK and 'Taker (and the trend is 'Mania opponents being on the same team), I feel he will face Kozlov for the IC Title.
This would make him a face in his home state, where he could retire after defending the IC Title.
You ask how Kozlov could even face him for the Title?
Well, as you have seen, many people from different brands are facing each other, so it won't be breaking any rules.
JBL will be missed, as he has been one of the better heels over the years. There is no word on if he will return to commentating again, but I personally don't expect it. I feel he will focus more on his business outside of the WWE.
Goodbye, JBL!
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