JBL Praises AEW Stars and Current State of Pro Wrestling Talent

WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield identified AEW stars ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey and Josh Alexander as "incredible" talents during a recent interview with FOX News Digital.

Per the official reporting from foxnews.com, Alexander remains out of action following knee surgery required for an injury sustained during the Collision TV taping that took place on March 18, 2026. The match in question aired on March 21.

The Evolution of Technical Proficiency in Modern Wrestling

He noted that the current landscape possesses more talent than the "boom period" of the mid-to-late 1990s. While the Attitude Era and WCW featured "loaded" rosters, Layfield told foxnews.com that the independent circuit at that time was not a loaded roster. Today, the amount of schools and the amount of learning has created a depth of talent.

Identifying Untapped Market Value in Texas Independents

Beyond the established AEW roster, Layfield highlighted Will Allday, an independent talent in Texas. Layfield described Allday’s ability to “ignite the local crowd” and noted that, to his knowledge, the performer has no TV experience.

The Structural Shift from the Attitude Era to the Modern Independent Circuit

Today's depth is rooted in the "learning" and "training" available through the vast array of wrestling schools.

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