WWE legend JBL has taken a sledgehammer to those mocking Triple H’s appearance after a series of holiday snaps of the Hall of Famer went viral.
The photos of the Game enjoying some downtime on a yacht in Greece, shared by TMZ, sparked a predictable wave of social media jibes.
The comments ranged from digs at his physique to cruel reminders that the once-shredded King of Kings no longer looks like the ruthless 20-something who broke into WWE in the 1990s.
Rarely one to shy away from confrontation and never one to avoid speaking his mind, John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield wasn’t having any of it.
JBL erupts at trolls mocking Triple H over viral photo
Speaking on Something to Wrestle With podcast, he turned his sights directly on the trolls taking a swipe at the real-life Paul Levesque – his former in-ring rival and one of the all-time greats.
“He’s on a yacht in Greece, and the only thing you can say is, ‘Oh, you know, as a 50-year-old guy, he doesn’t look like he did when he was 20?” JBL blasted. “Would you trade with him?
“Would you trade him for the bank account and the yacht, for his position? I think nearly everybody would.”
The rant was vintage Layfield – brash, loud, and impossible to ignore. But for a man who spent a career and made a sizable chunk of his living playing a character that beat down and bullied those around him, JBL turned the tables to hit out in support of someone under attack.
He went further, too, adding of those hurling the abuse: “Don’t forget to go to your high school reunion this year and look at all the people around you and see how normal people look. And don’t forget to look in the mirror yourself…”
A likely factor behind the ferocity of Layfield’s strike back on Levesque’s is the reality behind Triple H’s story.
In September 2021, the 14-time world champion suffered a cardiac event that required emergency surgery. At one point, by his own admission, he was “seconds away” from death.
His in-ring career ended overnight, and even the chance to see him live beyond that moment was in doubt.
From near-death scare to WWE boss – Triple H is still standing
Layfield, who worked closely with Triple H throughout WWE’s Attitude Era and beyond, reminded fans exactly what the man had overcome just to be alive.
The grappler turned broadcaster and philanthropist roared: “He had a heart attack, he almost died. He’s lucky to not be in a freaking casket right now, buried somewhere. And he’s on a yacht in Greece living his life with his beautiful wife. I mean, yeah, really? Boy, he’s got it rough.”
Triple H, now 56, has been part of WWE for nearly three decades, from blue-blood aristocrat to DX prankster to the suit-wearing authority figure who now runs the creative side of the company.
He has lifted titles, headlined WrestleManias, and survived battles that have broken lesser men.
His body may not resemble the iron-chiseled frame of his prime, but the former Evolution member will know more than most that he’s far from alone in not being able to halt the passage of time.
JBL saved his sharpest barb for those still sitting behind keyboards casting stones. “I’m so happy that you guys are on your little internet, in your little mommy’s basement, while you’re eating Cheerios for breakfast,” he said.
JBL’s tirade was a reminder that the trolls weren’t landing punches – they were being flattened by one of wrestling’s loudest voices. Triple H, meanwhile, is still here, still standing, and running WWE as its Head of Creative and Chief Content Officer.
With pro wrestling doing bigger business than ever, it’s a wonder the King of Kings found time for a family getaway at all.