'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
We had earlier reported that JBL had stepped down as the SmackDown Live colour commentator, after he posted a tweet on social media, to focus on working with at-risk children instead.
WWE made his departure from weekly television official by issuing an official statement, chronicling the reasons for the man's departure.
In case you didn't know...
John Bradshaw Layfield stepped behind the commentary desk to fill in for Jerry "The King" Lawler, a man who suffered a heart attack on live television. As the colour commentator on SmackDown Live, JBL is a man who has garnered both acclaim and brickbats.
He's also been in the eye of the storm, most notably for his alleged backstage tensions with current NXT play-by-play announcer, Mauro Ranallo. Before making his departure, he was the voice of SmackDown Live, with Tom Phillips and 'The Insider' Byron Saxton.
The heart of the matter
WWE clarified that while JBL may be done with colour commentary on a weekly basis, he will still be a part of the WWE family, in the coming years.
In a tweet posted Friday evening, JBL announced that he is stepping back from his weekly role as SmackDown LIVE announcer to focus on his new role as a Beyond Sport Global Ambassador. The longest-reigning WWE Champion in SmackDown history will continue his more than 20-year relationship with WWE by appearing on events such as WrestleMania and WWE Tribute to the Troops – which JBL inspired in 2003.
WWE lauded JBL's efforts to be a humanitarian and use his position to help those in need.
WWE admires JBL’s continued determination to make a difference in the lives of at-risk kids in Bermuda and around the world.
You can check out the entire statement on the official WWE website.
What's next?
JBL will focus his energies on making the world a better place. We wish him all the best.
Author's take
I do not like JBL either as an announcer, or a human being, from the reports I've read. Anyone the WWE will get will be an improvement, and I look forward to better commentary on SmackDown Live in the months to come. Maybe Nigel McGuinness can be moved up to SmackDown?
