WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) recently shed light on the challenges WWE faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly Vince McMahon’s controversial decision to continue running shows without a live audience. Speaking on the Something To Wrestle With podcast, JBL defended McMahon’s approach and shared his own experience returning to the commentary desk during this unprecedented time.
The pandemic halted live events worldwide, creating uncertainty across the sports and entertainment industries. Amid this turmoil, McMahon made the bold choice to keep WWE programming going, a decision met with widespread criticism.
JBL revealed how McMahon personally reached out to him, asking for his return to provide a sense of familiarity for fans. “‘During COVID, Vince called me and he said, ‘I need an old voice on television. Are you coming?’ ‘You know I am.’ I said, ‘Where are you?’ He goes, ‘We’re in Orlando. We got no audience. I need an old voice, the old commentary, somebody that people recognize.’”
The decision to continue running shows with familiar elements like JBL’s commentary became part of McMahon’s broader strategy to maintain continuity for viewers during a turbulent time. JBL described the eerie atmosphere of traveling during the pandemic: “There was nobody in the airport… Everybody was sitting up front, first class. I said, ‘I think I’m gonna sit in the back’, like 15 seats on both sides of you because you didn’t know what was going to happen back then. You didn’t know if the whole world is going to die or you’re going to get it and die.” The atmosphere was one of fear and apprehension, as JBL describes, “Everybody thinks they’re going to die?” --->READ MORE HERE
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The War Raiders are riding high as WWE Raw Tag Team Champions, but there was a time where they were entangled in a divisive comedic storyline with the Street Profits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The feud saw them engage in goofy segments and cinematic matches, which Ivar thought would eventually lead to the team getting released.
While speaking to "Insight with Chris Van Vliet," the former Viking Raider said that many stars had been let go due to the pandemic, so it felt like he and Erik would follow suit eventually. Furthermore, serious wrestlers being given comedy gimmicks often lead to the stars in question getting cut. However, the pair tried their best to work with the material they were given.
"I felt like originally, that whole feud, it wasn't for us. It was for The Street Profits, because that's their thing, or at least at the time that was their thing. They're the comedic, funny tag team. So it just felt like everything was for them, which is fine, totally fine. It is what it is. So it was our job to do the best that we could in that role, and I think we did. I can watch it back, I see memories of it and stuff, or just randomly running the fans. It's funny because I've heard a lot of people online talk trash about that stuff, never one to my face. But I was proud of the fun, comedic stuff that we did." --->READ MORE HEREFollow links below to relevant/related stories and resources:
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