Can anyone please explain to me why JBL seems to be protected in the WWE?

Of course, by now you’ve heard about the scuffle in Iraq between JBL and Joey Styles. If not, here is a quick re-cap. JBL was apparently busting Joey’s chops, and had been for quite awhile. JBL finally crossed the line (after quite a bit to drink), and Styles popped him one in the eye.

If this were a first “incident” I could understand letting it slide……maybe. But JBL has a history of being a bully to others backstage and could have potentially harmed the WWE both financially and in their corporate image.

Look at what he did to the Blue Meanie at the original One Night Stand Pay Per View. After intentionally beating Meanie up on camera for a supposed slight on Meanie’s part (which later was discovered just to be a big misunderstanding), JBL pretty much got a free pass. It wasn’t until Meanie threatened legal action against the Federation that JBL got called on his actions. To avoid a lawsuit Vince signed Meanie to a short term contract, and JBL jobbed to Meanie in a meaningless match on Smackdown. Meanie was let go shortly after and JBL reigned as champ. I remember thinking at the time that Meanie pissed away a huge payday by signing that next-to-nothing contract as opposed to suing the pants off of JBL and Vince.

Prior to that incident, JBL pulled what had to be the dumbest stunt of his career. While at a house show in Munich, Germany in 2004, JBL began goose-stepping and throwing out the Nazi salute! What???!! Not only is this in the poorest taste imaginable, but it’s also against German law. I simply cannot imagine an employee of any company, organization or corporation pulling this stunt and still remaining employed. Due to this incident JBL lost his high profile gig at CNBC discussing financial matters on air, but retained the title.

If anything comes out of this whole mess between JBL and Styles, I hope that it’s opened Vince’s eyes a bit about JBL (but I doubt it). I know Joey Styles has never been one of Vince’s favorites, and I hope Styles gets a little more respect for standing up to the bigger man.

That said. I’m sorry it’s been awhile since writing. I’ve had a ton of stuff happening here at work as my company was recently purchased in a hostile takeover. Things are starting to settle down, so I should be able to get back on a decent writing schedule.

I’ll be at the Smackdown tapings next Tuesday night here in Baltimore’s First Mariner Arena. I’m looking forward to it as I haven’t seen any live wrestling since Backlash came here last spring. Not sure what to expect as new storylines should be taking off after Armageddon this Sunday. Hopefully I’ll witness the beginnings of some interesting new storylines that will take us into 2009.