JBL wasn’t a fan when he heard WWE’s concept for the Brawl for All, however he admits the payday was nice.
In 1998, WWE (then WWF) made the baffling resolution to place a few of its wrestlers towards one another in actual, non-scripted fights as a part of a event. Named Brawl for All, the event is notorious for being poorly obtained by wrestling followers and for inflicting various accidents to the corporate’s stars. Jim Ross beforehand recalled the second he knew Brawl for All would fail, and Kevin Sullivan as soon as known as it “one of many stupidest concepts ever.”
Talking on a latest version of One thing To Wrestle, John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield opened up about his preliminary dialog with Bruce Prichard, saying he wasn’t bought on the concept however agreed to be a part of the event with some provisions.
“Bruce known as me on a Thursday morning, and he goes, ‘You wanna be in a shoot battle on Monday?’ I stated, ‘Why would I be in a shoot battle on Monday?’ He goes, ‘We’re having a shoot event.’ I stated, ‘Why are you having a shoot event?’ He goes, ‘Nicely, we predict it’s form of a enjoyable concept to place this shoot event collectively.’
I stated, ‘Legit shoot?’ He stated, ‘Yeah.’ I stated, ‘You perceive now we have two UFC champions in our dressing room?’ I stated, ‘Are they in it?’ He stated, ‘Yeah, they’re in it.’ I stated, ‘Are you able to do me no less than a favor? Put me in a unique bracket so I’ve an opportunity of profitable one battle no less than earlier than I get to these guys?’ He goes, ‘Will you do it?’ I am going, ‘I’ll do it, however that is the dumbest concept I’ve ever heard.’”
‘Dr. Loss of life’ Steve Williams was favored to win the event, however in a surprising upset, he was knocked out in spherical one by Bart Gunn. Gunn went on to win the event, and at WrestleMania XV, the Brawl for All identify was resurrected when Gunn was positioned in a battle towards celeb boxer Butterbean.
Persevering with, JBL talked concerning the members within the event, mentioning that he had questioned whether or not Dr. Loss of life was as much as the duty.
“No person knew Bart Gunn may hit like George Foreman. No person had any concept.
I instructed Bruce this. I stated, ‘Hey, you’re gonna discover anyone, you’re gonna discover anyone like Bob Holly, that’s what heavyweight champs seem like these days. A man like Bob Holly’s gonna win this factor. Physician Loss of life ant gonna win it.’ You knew immediately they put it collectively for Doc. I stated, ‘Doc is just not gonna win it. Doc is just not the identical man he was 10 years in the past. This isn’t the identical Physician Loss of life.’ He’s had concussions, he’s had issues. He’s had issues. He’s not gonna win it.’
Bruce stated, ‘Nicely, that’s okay, we’ll give you anyone else.’ I stated, ‘Bruce, that is probably the dumbest concept I’ve ever heard.’”
How A lot Did JBL Earn From Collaborating In Brawl For All?
Regardless of the issues with the event, JBL says the members had been paid effectively for his or her hassle.
“I stated, ‘Yeah, I’m completely satisfied to do it.’ He instructed me the pay, which was nice. It was 5 grand a battle, and should you received to the following battle, you bought one other 5 grand, and within the finals, you bought 100 grand cut up 75 to the winner, 25 to the loser. I stated, ‘Bruce, the pay’s superior. I’m completely satisfied to do it. I’ve by no means achieved something like this, this can be lots of enjoyable.’ I stated, ‘However that is the dumbest factor I’ve ever heard.’”
JBL superior to the ultimate spherical of the Brawl for All event earlier than dropping to Bart Gunn.
Booker T just lately admitted that he needed to be a part of Brawl for All regardless of working for WCW on the time.
