WWE Smackdown has just received a bad news with a veteran name stepping aside from his weekly role. As reported by WWE.com, the Smackdown commentator, John Bradshaw Layfield will no more be available on the announce table. He is set to leave for personal reasons.
It was first revealed on JBL’s Twitter account that he is taking a break from his WWE duties to continue his social works. He is not ending lifelong association with the WWE, but will no more be doing weekly basis commentaries, from now onwards.
He had attached a lengthy statement alongside his post on Twitter which suggests that he will be spending more times for helping his charity foundation which saves people & children at risk. With Beyond Sports Foundation he will work for several communities with his charitable trust named Beyond Rugby Bermuda.
BREAKING: @JCLayfield is stepping down as #SDLive announcer to focus on his role as a Beyond Sport Global Ambassador https://t.co/89YmMu11nG
— WWE (@WWE) September 2, 2017
Check out his statement, here:
“After much consideration, I will be stepping back my weekly role as Smackdown Announcer to dedicate more continuous time on the work I have done since 2010 with at risk kids and communities. My new schedule will allow me to continue to be a part of the WWE family and also continue my work that I feel is the most important thing in my life. I will continue my 20+ year relationship with WWE and will appear on such marquee shows as Tribute to the Troops, WrestleMania, amongst others.”
After much consideration, I will be stepping back my weekly role as Smackdown Announcer to dedicate more (cont) https://t.co/An7zuYRFmV
— John Layfield (@JCLayfield) September 1, 2017
We can see from his statements that the legendary wrestler will come back during the bigger events in the WWE, later. He has been an integral part of WWE’s annual tribute to the US soldiers called Tribute to the Troops. So, we can expect him back around December, when the event returns.
JBL had signed with the WWE in the year 1995 and continued to work for them, since then. For his contributions over the years, WWE has made him the longest reigning WWE Champion in the history of Smackdown which is still intact. He took retirement from in-ring competition after losing a match against Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania 25 in just 21 seconds.