JBL calls pro wrestling talent pool deepest he has ever seen
WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield has praised the current depth of professional wrestling talent as the strongest of his lifetime, singling out performers across major promotions and the independent circuit in an interview with Fox News Digital. Layfield, a former WWE Champion who competed at the highest level during the company's Attitude Era, said the volume and quality of working wrestlers today surpasses anything he witnessed during his in-ring career.
Speaking on behalf of a partnership with BZZR, Layfield pointed to specific performers he believes merit wider attention. "I saw 'Speedball' Mike Bailey in AEW, who is just an incredible talent. Josh Alexander's the same," he said. He also highlighted Will Allday, an independent wrestler based in Texas, describing him as a crowd-igniting performer with, to Layfield's knowledge, no television experience to date. Mike Bailey and Josh Alexander are both Canadian wrestlers who built substantial reputations on the independent and international circuits before reaching prominent United States promotions. Bailey, known for his high-velocity striking style, won the AEW World Trios Championship alongside Kevin Knight and Místico at AEW Revolution on March 15, 2026. snooker live bet
Layfield drew a direct comparison to the Attitude Era - the late 1990s and early 2000s period widely regarded as WWE's commercial peak - and to World Championship Wrestling, which competed directly with WWE before its acquisition in 2001. He argued that while both companies carried strong rosters during that period, the independent scene of the era was comparatively thin. "Now, you go to these independent shows and these guys are fantastic," he said. "I guess it's the training. It's the amount of schools they have. The amount of learning that they can get. You look at now for wrestling, there's so much freaking talent, and it's so freaking deep. It's unbelievable the place the business is in right now."
The observation reflects a measurable expansion in the number of active promotions carrying weekly programming. WWE runs television across multiple nights each week, as does All Elite Wrestling. TNA Wrestling airs on Thursday nights, and Major League Wrestling broadcasts its flagship show on Saturdays via YouTube, with international and independent promotions adding further output throughout the week. The scale of available programming means a significant portion of the active roster competes in front of audiences without ever appearing on the largest platforms - a dynamic Layfield's comments directly address.
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