John Bradshaw Layfield is taking on one of the most important roles in wrestling history. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum has named JBL president of the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, succeeding Gerry Brisco, who is stepping away from a position he has held for more than two decades.
Brisco, who served as president since the Hall of Fame was established in 1999, is moving into an advisory role. He helped guide the institution’s growth into one of the most respected bodies honoring professional wrestling history, and said he feels comfortable handing the reins to Layfield.
Brisco’s Legacy and the Changing of the Guard
Gerry Brisco’s connection to the Hall of Fame runs deep — he is himself an inductee, with a career that included multiple championship reigns across the NWA and WWE. “I’m happy to be leaving the board in the capable hands of JBL, and I am confident that he and his support team will ensure that the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame continues to grow and remain the best.”
JBL also has a long-standing connection to the organization. He received the Lou Thesz Award from the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame in 2012 following a decorated career that included three WWE Tag Team Championship reigns alongside Ron Simmons. Since retiring from the ring, Layfield has stayed active in wrestling through WWE commentary work and as an English-language color commentator for Lucha Libre AAA.
Expansion Plans and the Global Hall of Fame Brand
Layfield called the new role an honor and credited Brisco for the foundation already in place. “I’m honored that Mr. Brisco has chosen me to help continue the incredible success he has worked so hard to achieve.”
He also made clear that expansion is already on the agenda. “The team and I look forward to growing the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame and moving forward in building the Global Hall of Fame brand.” That Global Hall of Fame brand is tied to the newly created Global Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, LLC, an organization expected to work closely with the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame to expand opportunities involving the Hall of Fame, the Dan Gable Museum, professional wrestlers, and the wrestling business as a whole.
Layfield addressed any concerns that the new organization could change how the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame operates for fans or inductees. “The GPW Hall of Fame will not affect fans or the enshrinement of members of the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame,” he said, adding: “We will announce more details in the future, but we view this as a win-win situation for both the GPW Hall of Fame and the Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame.”
With Brisco remaining involved in an advisory capacity and Layfield already talking expansion, this is less of a clean break and more of a major changing of the guard for one of wrestling’s most prestigious institutions.
John Bradshaw Layfield (Credits: Ringside News)
Source: Ringside News — read the full story there.