JBL Explains How Backstage Fight Affected Vader’s Future Career

WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield has offered a revealing perspective on how a notorious backstage altercation permanently altered fellow Hall of Famer Vader’s confidence and career trajectory.

Speaking on the “Something to Wrestle With” podcast, JBL discussed the infamous 1995 backstage fight between Vader (Leon White) and “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff in WCW, suggesting the incident profoundly affected Vader’s mentality when he joined WWE the following year.

Vader and I were together a lot, we were good friends. He treated me like a brother. It really bothered him, it was something to the day he died that bothered him.

The altercation, which reportedly saw Orndorff get the better of the 450-pound Vader, has become legendary in wrestling circles. According to JBL, the psychological impact of this defeat lingered with Vader throughout his career.

Sh*t happens in life and you know Paul Orndorff is a tough guy, things happen when two big guys go at it. Leon I don’t think had anything like that happen to him before.

JBL contrasted the incident with Vader’s famous toughness in the ring.

He gets his eye knocked out by Stan [Hansen], puts his eye back in, takes off the mask and finishes the match. I mean Leon’s a tough tough dude, he just walked into a good solid punch.

JBL suggests that while the physical confrontation was relatively brief, its psychological consequences were far-reaching and permanent.

But it did, it really bothered him, it changed him as far as his confidence level. When he came to WWE, the Orndorff thing [really affected him]. I do think it bothered him, the mystique was taken off a little bit, the aura was kind of knocked down.

The timing couldn’t have been worse for Vader, who entered WWE in 1996 following this incident. Despite high-profile programs with Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, and other top stars, his WWE run never matched the dominance and intimidation factor he had established in Japan and WCW.

JBL Says Feud With Booker T Was Critical For His Career

WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield has opened up about the significance of his championship rivalry with Booker T, describing their 2004 program as an essential chapter in his career that would have left his wrestling legacy “missing” had it never occurred.

H/t to ITRWrestling.com