WWE Smackdown: Why JBL Should Return to the Blue Brand

Once upon a time, John Bradshaw Layfield made Friday nights an exciting time to watch pro wrestling.

Whether he was in the ring as the self-proclaimed “Wrestling God”, or at the commentating table making fun of The Miz, JBL was very entertaining to fans—whether they liked him or not.

We haven't had a personality quite like JBL's since his departure from the commentary table. JBL last did commentary for SmackDown on December 21, 2007.

In the nearly four years since then, we have seen many people attempt to be the color commentary voice for the blue show.

Among them are Mick Foley, Tazz, Todd Grisham (seriously, he was in the color commentary spot), Matt Striker and presently Booker T.

None of them have been able to hold a candle to what JBL did. If JBL returned tomorrow, he would be the best color commentator in WWE right now. There's no doubt that him leaving has hurt the commentary quality.

While Foley's return has been officially announced, there is no guarantee that Foley will return to the desk to do color commentary. Layfield belongs at the desk for WWE right now.

JBL can bring that fun element back to SmackDown, which suffers from its status as a taped show that airs three nights later. Spoilers give a lot of fans an excuse to not watch weekly, but the presence of a guy like Layfield can get viewers to tune in just to hear him.

Layfield can also work well on SmackDown if Josh Mathews gets moved over to Raw—with Jim Ross now fired.

JBL could then move over to the pay-per-view commentary team, joining Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole for big events. It would also likely help pay-per-view buy rates and those headsets in the arena enabling the crowd to hear commentary.

No offense to the over-the-top Cole, mistake-prone Lawler or off-his-rocker Booker T, but JBL would be the lone amount of stability.

Call me old fashioned, but color commentary is supposed to bring in an insight on what is happening in the match. JBL always did that very well. Regarding current announcers, Lawler is too busy telling bad one-liners, while Booker T shows forced excitement and constantly repeats himself.

There are definite reasons to bring home JBL. The commentary talent is in shambles, whether Jim Ross had left or not, and needs a solid color commentator once again.

JBL was that guy and can be that guy once more. Even if Foley ends up being a color commentator again, Layfield will always be around to bring his nice face to Friday nights.

As John Laurinitis kills Raw, Layfield has the chance to make SmackDown different.