Bradshaw Was Almost Fired In 1998

[Enigma 0]

The #9 edition of PWTorch's "Ask Ed Ferrera" was completely dedicated to how if it weren't for former WWF and WCW booker Ed Ferrera, Bradshaw probably would have been fired in late-1998. The question is, is Ferrera credible?

 

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PWTorch.com reader Antohny Miletic asks:

 

How did you and Bradshaw get along while you were in WWE? I heard he was and is a jerk and a bully. Also, I heard he was happy to see Vince Russo go, what about you? Did he dislike you as well?

 

Ed Ferrara answers:

 

During my time in the WWF, Bradshaw was a guy I enjoyed working with. I never had any problems with him, and we got along quite well. As soon as we had left, however, he did a 180 and became one of our most outspoken, venomous "critics," which should say something about how much of a straight-shooter he is (or was). I had heard plenty of tales about his bullying tendencies, and had even seen it happen in the ring on several occasions (most notably one night when he completely stiffed Public Enemy in the ring to "test them").

 

The ironic part of his venom toward me in particular is that he probably wouldn't even have a job today if it wasn't for me. This isn't me putting myself over - it's a fact. Because what I'm about to describe all went down during booking sessions between only Russo, VKM and myself, this story has probably never seen light of day. I doubt if John even realizes it!

 

I was always a big fan of John Layfield, back to when he first came in as Justin "Hawk" Bradshaw. The old-school fanboy in me marked out for him as the second coming of Stan Hansen, from the way he worked at the time, right down to the "hook 'em horns." Problem was, he wasn't getting over the way VKM expected, and was about to be cut from the roster.

 

VKM gave Russo and me a short-list of talents that were about to be let go if we couldn't think of anything to do with them - and on top of that list were both Bradshaw and Ron Simmons (Farooq). Russo and I both dug Simmons, but I was pretty much the only one struggling to keep Bradshaw around. This was around the time when we were planning Taker's Ministry of Darkness, so I came up with an idea for how to re-invent Simmons and Bradshaw as The Acolytes and insert them into that mix. Needless to say, the gamble paid off - the Acolytes gimmick worked for them and they took off, eventually morphing into the A.P.A., and then on to today's JBL. But if it hadn't been for The Acolytes gimmick, Bradshaw would have been released.

 

So every time I would hear about some snotty comment Bradshaw would make about me, I'd have to simply shake my head and laugh, because he had no idea how close he was to unemployment back then.

 

 

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[Placebo Effect 0]

I don't doubt Ed here. Faarooq was dead in the water post-NOD, and I don't even remember what Bradshaw did after the New Blackjacks failed horribly.

[Guest JMA]

Sounds pretty believable to me. It kind of makes you wonder where we'd be today if Bradshaw was fired. Bob Holly as World Champ?

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

I don't doubt Ed here.  Faarooq was dead in the water post-NOD, and I don't even remember what Bradshaw did after the New Blackjacks failed horribly.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Brawshaw tagged with Terry Funk and turned heel.

 

Then he beat Vader and after that, it's a big blur.

[Cheech Tremendous 0]

The thing that doesn't make sense with that story is that when the Acolytes started they were paired with the Jackyl and had nothing to do with the Ministry.

[Guest JMA]

The thing that doesn't make sense with that story is that when the Acolytes started they were paired with the Jackyl and had nothing to do with the Ministry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You raise an interesting point. Maybe the Jackyl was going to join the Ministry, too?

[Guest TheGreatWesuke]

Ed might not even remember that... I didn't until you mentioned it, and they must have only been teamed with Jackyl for a week or two. I remember hearing about it, but I never actually saw them together on TV.

 

Adding that bit in also cheapens the story though, as that would be like him saying they stuck him with Jackyl in a failed angle for two weeks before The Acolytes joined The Ministry.

[Jericholic82 0]

Ed might not even remember that... I didn't until you mentioned it, and they must have only been teamed with Jackyl for a week or two. I remember hearing about it, but I never actually saw them together on TV.

 

Adding that bit in also cheapens the story though, as that would be like him saying they stuck him with Jackyl in a failed angle for two weeks before The Acolytes joined The Ministry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Jackyl forming the acolytes happened at least two months before the ministry angle started IIRC. I think it was either october or november 98ish, (someone ,please check when Callis was fired). The acolytes kidnapped Dennis Knight (MideonAKA Phineas Godwin Aka Tex Slazenger in WCW) on a raw episdoe in late 98, I think about 2 weeks before the episdoe where Mankind wont he wwf title, cuz on that same night (the 1-4-99 show), Knight was showin in a dungeon and being told by the acolytes that "he" was ready now and they dragged him into a room and closed the door. I know this for sure cuz I have livewire from the next weekend taped.

 

But I can belive Ed here cuz Bradshaw never seemed to get over at all throughout his various gimmicks. and hell the acolytes werent over until they became the APA in 2000

[Guest Dale Earnhardt]

Jackyl forming The Acolytes happened at least two months before the Ministry angle started, IIRC. I think it was either October or November 98ish (Someone, please check when Callis was fired). The Acolytes kidnapped Dennis Knight (Mideon AKA Phineas Godwin Aka Tex Slazenger in WCW) on a Raw episode in late 98, I think about 2 weeks before the episode where Mankind won the WWF title, because on that same night (the 1-4-99 show), Knight was shown in a dungeon and being told by The Acolytes that "he" was ready now and they dragged him into a room and closed the door. I know this for sure because I have Livewire from the next weekend taped.

 

But I can believe Ed here because Bradshaw never seemed to get over at all throughout his various gimmicks. Hell, The Acolytes weren't over until they became the APA in 2000.

 

 

Mideon was kidnapped on the last RAW that aired in 1998 which was a week prior to Mankind's title win.

 

I don't know if I'll take Ed at face value here especially after that huge oversight.

 

EDIT- I might as well add this, what are some instances where JBL has insulted Ferrera?

[Hunter's Torn Quad 0]

EDIT- I might as well add this, what are some instances where JBL has insulted Ferrera?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I remember a house show back in 2002 that saw Bradshaw rip into Russo and Ed over the mic. Bradshaw has taken more than few shots at Russo, and Ed to a slightly lesser extent, over the years.

[Guest TheGreatWesuke]

Jackyl forming The Acolytes happened at least two months before the Ministry angle started, IIRC. I think it was either October or November 98ish (Someone, please check when Callis was fired). The Acolytes kidnapped Dennis Knight (Mideon AKA Phineas Godwin Aka Tex Slazenger in WCW) on a Raw episode in late 98, I think about 2 weeks before the episode where Mankind won the WWF title, because on that same night (the 1-4-99 show), Knight was shown in a dungeon and being told by The Acolytes that "he" was ready now and they dragged him into a room and closed the door. I know this for sure because I have Livewire from the next weekend taped.

 

But I can believe Ed here because Bradshaw never seemed to get over at all throughout his various gimmicks. Hell, The Acolytes weren't over until they became the APA in 2000.

 

 

Mideon was kidnapped on the last RAW that aired in 1998 which was a week prior to Mankind's title win.

 

I don't know if I'll take Ed at face value here especially after that huge oversight.

 

EDIT- I might as well add this, what are some instances where JBL has insulted Ferrera?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I think you guys are really over analyzing something that he didn't mention because there was no point in really mentioning it. The angle with Jackyl didn't go anywhere, and was less then a flash in the pan. I rarely missed an episode back then, but I don't remember ever seeing The Acolytes with the Jackyl on TV. Not long ago I watched a tape that had the kidnapping of Dennis Knight etc, and that lead directly into an angle where Undertaker sacraficed Knight.

[Guest news_gimmick]

...

[Guest Trecko]

Jackyl aka Cyrus the Virus, right? I definitely remember seeing them on that show they did on Saturday nights back in the day, WWF New York, the one Russo did commentary on. He was definitely with the Acolytes for a little bit before they went the Ministry route. I honestly think he debuted them on that show, it was like some cryptic shit saying how he's brought them together to dominate or whatever. They had that shit across their chest, lookin all dead and what not, fuckin tag teams up like it was nothing. Always hated how they switched them up into that APA shit, all jokey and happy. I liked the cold blooded, fuck em up Acolytes, damn it.

[Guest JMA]

Plus, the "APA" name didn't really make sense since they weren't "Acolytes" any more.

 

On a semi-related note, where was the whole Jackyl angle going? I remember that he was always talking about "intellectual intercourse" and taking control of the WWF from Vince McMahon. And who was the guy who played the Commandant in the Truth Comission? Col. DeBeers?

[Dandy 0]

The way it went down was Jackyl was scouting a few wrestlers, and would come down for commentary or just stage or ringside to watch. He came out for Bradshaw and Faarooq's matches, and then debuted them as the "Jackylites." He was doing a mind control angle at the time, and they were his "followers." Shortly after, Callis (Jackyl) was let go, and rather than scrap the team, they were "brainwashed" by Taker to be the first part of the ministry.

 

Pick up with the kidnapping of Dennis Knight here.

[Enigma 0]

I think the Jackyl-led Acolytes were always meant to join the Ministry.

[Guest JMA]

I think the Jackyl-led Acolytes were always meant to join the Ministry.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But would the Jackyl have joined?

[Guest JMA]

Come to think of it, it might've been interesting if the Jackyl was revealed as the Higher Power. It would've been a huge let-down for a lot of people (just like the real angle), but it would've at least made sense.

 

I always wanted it to be Jake Roberts, though.

[Epic Reine 0]

I remember when Jackyl introduced the Acolytes. Actually, I remember the Acolytes first appearing on Raw interfereing in a tag match with JR saying "Bradshaw and Faarooq? I wouldn't want to mess with those guys". A week or two later on WWF New York/Shotgun Saturday Night, Jackyl appeared being lowered from the rafters in a podium introducing "The Acolytes" (And I think they may have been called the "Jackolytes" at first, I'm not sure). Then Cyrus dissapeared and they joined the ministry.

 

It's actually quite funny how I remember all this.

[Guest TheGreatWesuke]

Ahh... there's the problem. Shotgun Saturday Night wasn't shown here in Canada, hence why I *heard* of Jackyl and the Aco(jackyl)ites but never actually *saw* them. TSN would heavily edit shows back then too (worse than they do now) and so a lot of the early Ministry stuff wasn't shown here either.

[zyn081 0]

All I can say is thank god for Ed Ferrera.