John “Bradshaw” Layfield announced Wednesday on Facebook that he has signed a contract with WWE to appear as a commentator on a full-time basis. He had been sporadically filling in as color commentator after Jerry “The King” Lawler suffered a heart attack during the RAW episode preceding Night of Champions. He is now the commentator for SmackDown with Josh Mathews, replacing Michael Cole.
He wrote, “Very happy WWE and I have worked out a deal for me to return on a full time basis. There came a need when my friend Jerry Lawler had a heart attack and was not able to work, however, I realized how much I enjoyed being back and this was the basis for my decision to return.
“I now just enjoy doing commentary, and no, have no desire to ever be in the ring again. I am in the best shape I have probably ever been in due to the mountain training, but a twisted knee, ankle or back and I lose my dream of the Seven Summits-not worth the risk to me and I had my time and I loved it. Commentary is where I want to be.
“I will doing Smackdown with Josh Matthews. I have filled in on Main Event some but mainly when Miz has a large part in the show and can’t do commentary.
“Raw is 100% Jerry’s. He and Michael are a great team, I enjoy listening to Jerry and there are no plans for a three man booth with me in it. I am happy on Smackdown.
“It looks like I will be doing PPVs as a representative for the Smackdown brand as part of a three man booth with Cole and King.
“I cannot say enough how impressed I am with Michael Cole, there is so much more to the commentary game now and he is the best I have seen. Josh prepares well and we don’t have the sync that Michael and I have yet, but we will get there. Josh is fun to work with, I love when I get him so frustrated he throws his hands up in the air not knowing what I will say next. Michael and I had a year of commentary behind us already when I returned, Josh and I have only been doing it for a short time.
“I don’t know where Josh buys those horrible sweaters and gets that spiky haircut though.
“And yes, I do have fun ribbing my old boss and Okie friend JR. It’s all in good fun.”
To read his full post, click here.
