John “Bradshaw” Layfield, the WWE superstar better known simply as JBL, was born in November of 1966.  He has won a number of titles, but he is most known for holding the Smackdown World title for the longest period of title, holding the title of 280 days.  His gimmick, which is one of a rich businessman, was inspired by the fact that JBL invests in the stock market.  In fact, he has appeared as a panelist on The Cost of Freedom, has written a financial planning book, and serves as a senior vice president for Northeast Securities.  Inside the ring, JBL has held the WWE Championship, the US Championship, the European title, the Hardcore title (held seventeen times) and the World Tag title (three times).

In 1992, JBL began his professional career with Global Wrestling Federation, where he would wrestle for two years.  He then moved to the independent circuit for a few years.  In late 1995, he was offered a developmental contract with the WWE.  He debuted in early 1996 under the name Justin “Hawk” Bradshaw, using the gimmick of a tough cowboy.  In 1997, he and his on-screen cousin Barry Windham formed the New Blackjacks, but after Windham was injured, the pair split.  JBL began appearing less and less on television. 

In 1998, he and Faarooq formed a tag team and won a number of matched.  They turned face at one point and, in 1999, picked up their first tag team title on Raw after defeating X-Pac and Kane.  However, they lost the title a few months later.  In October of 2000, JBL won the European title, his first singles title.  He would wrestle singly for several years, winning the Hardcore title and feuding with many different WWE superstars.  In 2004, he defeated Eddie Guerrero to claim the WWE Championship.  During this time, he held the WWE title for none months until he finally dropped it at WrestleMania 21. 

JBL became semi-retired during 2005 and much of 2006, although he returned in November.  He later moved to Raw in 2007 and began a feud with Chris Jericho who he cost the WWE Championship. After this program, he became involved in Mr. McMahon-Hornswoggle ordeal which saw JBL brutally attack Horrnswoggle inside a steel cage and reveal that Finlay was actually Hornswoggle's father. After defeating Finlay in a Belfast Brawl match at Wrestlemania 24, he challenged for the WWE Championship in a Fatal Four Way mtach losing it but later getting a World Title shot against CM Punk which he also lost.

He was then involved in a storyline where Shawn Michaels was to be his employee due to Michaels losing his family's savings due to the global recession. After a few weeks, a "All or Nothing" match was announced for No Way Out where Michaels was victorious and given his leave from working with JBL. JBL went onto win the Intercontinental Championship to become the 10th Grand Slam champion and 20th Triple Crown champion in WWE history. After losing the title to Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania 25 in 21 seconds, he annouced his reitrement from wrestling.