By now, you’ve all heard the rumors. JBL’s history as a locker room bully in the WWE is well documented. Stories have surfaced of him orchestrating the theft of Justin Roberts’ passport. He’s rumored to have had a hand in Mauro Ranallo reportedly leaving WWE (though, I should note – those are still just rumors). Back in the day, he was notorious for hazing. Well, except for that encounter with Joey Styles, and that time he tried to pat Steve Blackman’s ass.
This story popped up on Reddit earlier today, and is an excerpt from Hardcore Holly’s book:
At Kansas City airport, Steve and I were waiting around when Bradshaw came over. It was an early morning flight and John was still drunk from the night before. He started patting Steve’s ass. Steve said, “John, I don’t play that shit, knock it off.” John patted him again. And again. Steve was getting brutally pissed. He told him, “John, next time you do that, I’m going to knock your fucking teeth out.” So, of course, John did it again. Steve whipped around and backhanded Bradshaw, popping him with jabs in the face.
How incredibly dumb can you be to pick a fight with a guy who is as legitimate as Blackman? The guy was called The Lethal Weapon, for crying out loud. That wasn’t just a moniker – Blackman was a shoot badass. In case he’s reading this, he is still a shoot badass. Don’t hurt me please.
Love the visual, though. Blackman just popping a vein out of anger, turning around, warning JBL to stop, and then just POW POW POW, backhand.
There’s nothing more demoralizing than being backhanded, too. If you get backhanded by anyone – man, woman, or child, you are a bitch. Plain and simple. No two ways about it.
John started swinging and missing, and his head was snapping back with each of Steve’s jabs. Steve stepped back, planning to kick Bradshaw’s knees out, but he got his leg caught in a bag handle. Al Snow and I grabbed Steve, Ron Simmons grabbed John, and we pulled them apart. John was walking back and forth like a bandy rooster, looking to fight. Before we left, Steve told him, “I’m going to fucking kill you.” He meant it too.
Dumbass. Can’t land a single punch, and his head’s just bobbing back and forth with each sustained blow. Thank God for that bag handle or JBL’s career could’ve been ended. Or, shit – depending on who you ask, it may be “damn that bag handle!”
We got our car and got on the road. Ken Shamrock was riding with us. Me, Blackman, and Shamrock. That’s a dangerous car, and I’m the warm one — a teddy bear compared to the other two. That whole journey, Shamrock was poking and prodding Steve, telling him that Bradshaw was going to beat his ass. Steve wasn’t saying a word. And who did we see when we checked in to the hotel? Bradshaw and Ron were right there.
That’s one hell of a car load. When shit goes down, those are the type of people you want to be with and not against. Can you imagine having shit go South? But, oh you’re riding with Ken Shamrock, Hardcore Holly, and STEVE FUCKING BLACKMAN!?!?!
The boys don’t always stay at the same hotels, so it was a complete coincidence and not a good one for John. He came over to apologize and Steve said, “No apologies, I’m going to finish you later,” then walked off. We found him in the gym, still boiling mad. Once we were in the arena and had sat down in catering, John walked in. Everybody went silent as Steve stood up. He said, “If you’ve got something to say to me, you say it now or I’m going to finish you in front of everybody.” Bradshaw walked over, apologized and said, “I shouldn’t have fucked with you,” and shook his hand. That was the end of it. Steve sat down and said, “Bob, if it wasn’t for that bag, John would be in intensive care right now.” Trust me, I believe it — if anybody can put Bradshaw in the hospital with one kick, it’s Steve Blackman.
I fully believe it. What a wild story.
Blackman has always been one of the unheralded heroes of the Attitude Era. I remember him for having awesome entrance music, knocking Shane McMahon off the Summerslam entrance, and the run as Hardcore Champion. But, man – he was actually good.
“The Lethal Weapon” may be underrated in the annals of WWE history, but he more than earned his status as a legitimate badass.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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