JBL to come out of retirement *Spoilers*

[KingofOldSchool]

Well if you didn't read the results of the PPV, but JBL interfered in the Jericho/Orton match. And this all leads to...

It appears as though JBL is returning as a full time wrestler. There has been talk for several weeks of JBL giving up his announcing spot on smackdown. Kevin Dunn has been auditioning people with Michael Cole to help find him a new announcing partner.

credit: wrestling observer newsletter

[Anybody Thrilla]

Oh no. He's fine at the booth, but I could give a fuck about his ring work.

[Skippord]

Awesome :|

[redoneja]

Good, SD! needs a number 2 heel.

[Lock Jaw]

Sweetness!

As mentioned, his ring work isn't so great... but I really really missed his promos. JBL, before he became an announcer, was a better heel than Edge or Randy Orton are currently in my opinion. Hopefully he will pick up with his awesomeness once again.

[Funky Fly]

Awesome :|

I'm with Droopkis. This makes me want to watch Smackdown even less.

[Mr. Pierre]

Oh no. He's fine at the booth, but I could give a fuck about his ring work.

[Nark Order]

I'm really excited to see him return.

[El Fangel]

I would so mark out to APA Bradshaw.

[Juan]

My money is on him returning on the RAW brand.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ew. JBL is great as a commentator, but we don't need to see him in the ring. Especially against Jericho. I mean, I can understand it if the WWE have been disappointed with how they've done with Y2J, but sticking him with JBL is just a waste. No one wins, there.

The only way this makes sense, is if Randy Orton is paying JBL APA-style to help him out. Jericho can get Ron Simmons in his corner, and we can get a tag team match between the two on RAW. Randy Orton gets the pin on Simmons, kicking his head off with the cunt punt. You can then put Ron Simmons on the shelf for a bit, Orton gets a win over Jericho, which he can use to deny Jericho a rematch. Jericho enters the Royal Rumble, and wins, despite JBL trying to take him out of the match. Orton retains the WWE Title against Jeff Hardy, and he sends JBL to soften Jericho up in an I Quit Match at No Way Out. Jericho wins that match, as JBL quits while in the Walls of Jericho, and HBK beats Orton for the WWE Championship in the main event.

At WrestleMania, Randy Orton can be in an Evolution Four-Way against Triple H, Batista and Ric Flair, while JBL can do commentary.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm slightly curious as to who they will get to replace JBL, though. I hope to God it's Paul Heyman. They can edit him on SmackDown!, if they really choose. It'll probably be Michael Hayes.

JBL could work as a manager/part-time wrestler, but why the WWE plans to pair him up with Jericho gives me a migraine.

[Dave Youell]

Michael Hayes IMO would be a decent choice, I forgot how good a talker he is, the MVP segment from a few weeks back reminded me of that, one of the best promo’s of the year IMO.

There’s always Dusty? Yes his lisp is annoying, but he can get such emotion from situations that a lot of current guys lack.

Heyman of course would be my number 1 pick, as he’s excellent at getting talent over, but I can’t see them offering him a job anytime soon

[GD]

Heyman is the number 1 choice.
And if not then rather have Tazz and Styles call the smackdown! matches and have Cole do Heat. Todd?

[Nark Order]

I'd like to see the Coach back in the chair to be honest. With him not being the active GM anymore, it makes sense.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Michael Hayes IMO would be a decent choice, I forgot how good a talker he is, the MVP segment from a few weeks back reminded me of that, one of the best promo’s of the year IMO.

There’s always Dusty? Yes his lisp is annoying, but he can get such emotion from situations that a lot of current guys lack.

Heyman of course would be my number 1 pick, as he’s excellent at getting talent over, but I can’t see them offering him a job anytime soon

Michael Hayes is a great talker, but I've never really liked him as a commentator. Besides, the guy might try to be too much of a face. There needs to be a heelish balance.

I would not be opposed to Dean Malenko. Apparently the WWE were very close to getting him to do commentary once before.

Paul Heyman is the ideal pick, but as you said, not very likely.

Another name to mention is Tazz. He and Michael Cole work well together, and it would leave Joey Styles solo, or require him to get a new partner who can click better with. He and Tazz are both good commentators, but they don't seem to add up to as much as they could be together.

[RVDmark]

Tazz could do both shows right, they are taped in the same arena, consecutively. Even better have JBL call his own matches via a headset, that could be funny.

[RVDmark]

I'd like to see the Coach back in the chair to be honest. With him not being the active GM anymore, it makes sense.

And have Regal lose his bitch, noooooo. :(

[Dave Youell]

I think we can all agree that Kevin Nash would solve all these problems right?

[Dorkchop]

I bet they get someone shitty to replace JBL. How much o do you want to bed it's going to be Vicki Guerrero?

[darkpower]

What has Scott Hudson been doing these days? :shifty:

[Theo Dious]

As someone who is not a fan of Heyman as a commentator, I would rather have him than Rhodes or Hayes.

Is Raven busy? Hire him and bring him back as Johnny Polo, God dammit.

[Theo Dious]

I think we can all agree that Kevin Nash would solve all these problems right?

This statement is true regarding any topic.

[RVDmark]

This statement is true regarding any topic.

With the exception of Quad related topics. :lol:

[Fox]

Tazz could do both shows right, they are taped in the same arena, consecutively. Even better have JBL call his own matches via a headset, that could be funny.

lol they did this with Ed Ferrara as "Oklahoma" in WCW 2000. it was funny for all of like 30 seconds before it just became clumsy and awkward.

on topic though, JBL vs. Jericho is good as long as it serves to elevate Jericho as we move forward into the new "season."

heyman would actually get me to start watching smackdown again, but then again, he didn't come on the 15th Anniversay Special because, as he said, "the WWE have chased off the fanbase that would care about a Paul Heyman return."

[Chavo Classic]

Hell, try and get Mike Goldberg again.

[Fox]

what about a team of Michael Cole and Mick Foley?

[BigDaddyCool]

Finally, the wrestling god has come back.

[Chavo Classic]

Mick Foley is a terrible color guy. Listen to his gabbering during ONS 1 - he was unprepared for the role and spent half his time hyping up inside jokes. I don't think he has what it takes to put over other performers without getting in the ring himself and getting smashed across the fash with a chair a couple of times.

[Goulet]

Ted DiBiase or Roddy Piper would be gold

[Dave Youell]

Hell, try and get Mike Goldberg again.

He would make a good play by play guy, but you need a colour guy for this role.

I like Tazz moving and having Joey on his own, at least it would be more like ECW

That or Keving Nash

[Y2Ant]

Yeah moving Tazz from ECW and leaving Joey on his own looks the most likely IMO

[Jeritron]

Yeah moving Tazz from ECW and leaving Joey on his own looks the most likely IMO

Highly doubt that. They'll come up with someone to put next to Cole.

[The One]

Tovo is happy.

[Jeritron]

Jericho/JBL will be a great build. But I don't really see the potential for a great match..

[Kane Knight]

JBL's a good enough wrestler for a midcard deal. He's pretty bad as a wrestler, but so are a lot of other guys who are good on the mic. Plus, hhe's feuding with Jericho, who'll make him look good. I'm just not ready to start bitching yet.

When he and Cena get together for an iron man match for the title, we'll talk.

[James Steele]

Jericho and JBL on the mic will be pure gold. Jericho can make a bowl of pudding look good. (Old school TPWW)

[Jeritron]

Jericho and JBL on the mic will be pure gold. Jericho can make a bowl of pudding look good. (Old school TPWW)

I don't know about you, but a bowl of pudding always looks good to me.

(I know the reference)

[addy2hotty]

I hate JBL for what he did last night. I felt pure hate for the guy when he did what he did. First time I've felt hate like that in a long time (as regards wrestling storylines).

So, well played WWE bookers.

[Corkscrewed]

Expect Todd Grisham. That way, you won't be disappointed when it isn't someone good.

[Lock Jaw]

Zombie Josh Matthews

[Theo Dious]

Expect Don West. That way, you won't be disappointed when it isn't someone good.

You hadn't set your bar quite low enough, Corky.

[Jeritron]

I still like this fued a lot. I think it's gonna be great for both of them, and even better for the fans.

The way I see it is this. Likely, this is the best thing Jericho could do for Mania since he's more than likely not going for one of the titles nor will he face Michaels.
As for JBL, it's the only place or at least the best place I can see him having on the WM card this year.

They just shouldn't blow their load on this and have them start wrestling and tire it out before Mania.

The best way they could do it is to have JBL come back to Raw, in a non wrestling role and be there kissing Vince's ass and talking shit about Jericho. Doing guest commentary and cutting promos, Distracting him during his matches, costing him and even scuffling with him but not too much.
JBL stays retired, but comes to Raw to make Jericho's life a living hell for a few weeks.

Then Jericho draws his place for the rumble. He enters early and gets a few eliminations and looks on good pace, until JBL's music hits. This shocks and pisses Jericho off, but JBL doesn't enter the ring. He gets on the headset and talks shit instead.
Then when Jerichos least expecting it JBL jumps in and eliminates him. The two argue and JBL is eliminated and an irate JBL fights with Jericho to the back and it's broken up out back.

No Way Out could be a number of things to keep it fresh. Opponents of choosing. In ring segment. Both. Or just them both in the chamber.

Either way I'd save this showdown for Mania since it's gonna need some strong non title match draws.

[Nark Order]

Betting Jericho sells the CLFH like absolute fucking death.

Also, I'm down with that idea Jeritron. Build it like Lesnar/Goldberg. But good.

[Mister Sinister]

I got a solution for who should join Styles at the announce table.

Joel, I always leave them sore, yet they keep coming back for more...


Gertner

[Super V]

Zombie Josh Matthews

JOsh Matthews is dead!?

[Porcupine]

I honestly wish JBL wouldve returned to wrestle on Smackdown again rather than on Raw. I have a feeling he's heading down Jobber Lane on Raw...

[Kane Knight]

Assuming he stays on Raw, of course.

[Heyman]

To be honest, I'm actually a big fan of JBL (as an announcer and as a competitor). His in-ring work isn't very good, but he's got personality.

I did NOT support his World title reigns during 04'/05' (at the time, I thought it was way too premature to put the title on a guy who was barely a mid-carder for so many years), but JBL's character really grew on me.

Right now - I think JBL would be PERFECT as an IC or US Champion. I'm also interested to see what would happen if JBL turned face (and had Simmons as a manager or something).

JBL has mic skills and charisma, and also doesn't seem like one of those guys who would have a MAJOR drop-off in charisma/personality as a face. "JBL" is also very easy to chant.

[Mr. Nerfect]

JBL should still call Heat. The man is too good a commentator to not keep around.

Also, Josh Mathews would be a good option to replace JBL, but I'm not sure if I can see the WWE giving him the spot.

[Fignuts]

Why the hell are people against his in ring work? He's a great storyteller, and plays the in-ring cowardly heel better than anyone in the last decade.

Just because he doesn't chain wrestle, and doesn't do unessecary spots, doesn't mean he's bad. There's more to wrestling than the technical side.

[Theo Dious]

Just because he doesn't chain wrestle, and doesn't do unessecary spots, doesn't mean he's bad. There's more to wrestling than the technical side.

Do you have any idea how many people you just caused anyeurisms?