WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield finds new tag partner in social media company focused on sports
John Bradshaw Layfield, a WWE Hall of Famer known to fans simply as JBL, has joined BZZR, a new social media platform built exclusively for sports content.
Layfield, one of only 10 Grand Slam champions and 20 Triple Crown champions in WWE history, said his decision was spurred by a longtime connection to Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers. The Rangers have partnered with BZZR, which helped draw Layfield's attention to the platform.
"My grandfather was blind but before he passed away and for several years he used to listen to the Rangers on the radio every afternoon and every night and I'd go over and sit there with him," Layfield said. "I'm a huge Ranger fan because of that and they're working with BZZR, so it kinda got my interest because the Texas Rangers are involved with them, but it seems like such a wonderful platform so I'm glad to be involved."
A former professional wrestler who has also worked as a commentator for AAA Lucha Libre Worldwide, Layfield said a friend brought the platform to his attention. "I got a good friend, I call him 'Shooter' (Chris) Dunn. He's been with WWE before. He's now with BZZR," he said.
BZZR has marketed itself as a space dedicated to sports and sports talk, free of the unrelated content and anonymous commentary that Layfield said he hopes to avoid. "Isn't that amazing? You actually go on something and you don't expect anyone to tell you, 'You suck' or you 'look stupid' or you don't know anything about anything," he said.
Layfield also pointed to BZZR's requirement that users attach their real names and photos to their accounts, a policy he suggested would cut down on hostile or unaccountable behavior online.
"The people that hide behind pseudonyms, or can become keyword warriors — it gives people a voice that some should not have a voice," he said. "Some should, but some should not."
Other wrestling personalities already on the platform include MVP, Kayla Becker and Dwayne Swayze. Layfield said he is looking forward to engaging with fans and fellow sports enthusiasts in a setting focused entirely on athletics.
BZZR has described itself as "the world's first streaming and social media platform built exclusively for sports without any nonsense or slop," a pitch that appears to have resonated with Layfield and other athletes seeking an alternative to larger, more cluttered social media networks.
