Marc Mero has opened up on his real-life issues with a certain WWE Hall of Famer during WWE’s controversial Brawl For All tournament, admitting the two had genuine animosity at the time.
Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Marc Mero reflected on the Attitude Era concept, which saw wrestlers compete in legitimate fights, putting their credibility on the line in a format that remains widely criticised, and how his backstage tension with John Bradshaw Layfield only made the situation worse.
“I’m gonna be really honest, I couldn’t stand Bradshaw back then,” Mero said.
Mero claimed that Layfield, also known as JBL, had a reputation for rubbing people the wrong way and alleged that their issues extended into the ring.
“When we wrestled each other, he didn’t like me, and he would take liberties,” Mero said, adding that he welcomed the opportunity to face him in a legitimate fight. “He knew I had no fear of him.”
The two faced off during the Brawl For All, with Mero ultimately losing via decision, which only added to the tension between them at the time.
Marc Mero Says He And JBL Have Since Reconciled
Despite their past issues, Marc Mero revealed that his relationship with JBL has changed significantly in the years since.
“We couldn’t stand each other back then, now I love that guy,” Mero said. “If I see him now, I’d just give him a big hug.”
Mero added that he has gained respect for Layfield due to his work outside of wrestling, marking a stark contrast to their heated relationship during their WWE careers.
