How WWE Attitude Era Star Steve Blackman Humbled JBL In A Backstage Fight

Professional wrestling sure is a funny business. While the fights are predetermined and somewhat scripted, it is anything but fake, as the detractors love pointing out. It's fascinating, because sometimes you have two real-life best friends facing off in the ring, and other times there could be legit bad blood between the competitors. As we

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Professional wrestling sure is a funny business. While the fights are predetermined and somewhat scripted, it is anything but fake, as the detractors love pointing out. It's fascinating, because sometimes you have two real-life best friends facing off in the ring, and other times there could be legit bad blood between the competitors. As we saw after AEW All Out, and on many other occasions, real fights do happen from time to time.

One man who has been in multiple "shoot" fights with wrestlers and wrestling personalities in WWE is none other than noted bully John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL). Despite being a large individual who has probably been in a myriad of real fights, he hasn't had as much success against those in the wrestling business. In fact, JBL was once famously knocked out by former announcer Joey Styles. JBL had the reputation of being a bully who liked to mess with people, and one time he took it too far with Attitude Era stalwart and legit tough guy, the Lethal Weapon Steve Blackman.

RELATED: Steve Blackman Is One Of The Toughest Wrestlers Of All Time

JBL Was Giving Steve Blackman Some Pats On The Rear End That He Did Not Take Kindly To

The day was May 23, 1999 -- the day of the Over The Edge PPV where Owen Hart tragically passed away. The show was in Kansas City, Missouri, and a group of wrestlers were at baggage claim in the Kansas City airport when JBL started patting Blackman's rear end. "Hardcore" Bob Holly was one of the wrestlers with Blackman, and he detailed the story in his book The Hardcore Truth: The Bob Holly Story.

Holly told the story of it being an early morning flight, and JBL was still a bit drunk from the night before. JBL came over and started patting Blackman's behind, and Blackman said, "John, I don't play that s***. Knock it off." JBL patted Blackman again and again, and Blackman was getting more and more pissed off. "John, next time you do that, I'm going to knock your fu***** teeth out," urged Blackman. Naturally, JBL did it again, and that meant bad news for him.

RELATED: 10 Real Life Fights Between Wrestlers With A Surprising Winner

Things Escalated After Steve Blackman Backhanded JBL

Blackman then proceeded to swiftly hit JBL with a backhand followed by some jabs to the face. Holly said JBL swung and missed multiple times as he was eating the jabs. Blackman then attempted to kick JBL's knees out, but he got his leg caught on a bag handle. Shortly thereafter, the fight was broken up by Holly and Al Snow grabbing Blackman, and Ron Simmons corralling JBL. Apparently JBL was walking around like he still wanted to fight, and before they left, Blackman told him, "I'm going to fu***** kill you." And Holly said he meant it too.

RELATED: Steve Blackman & Al Snow: One Of The Funniest WWE Tag Teams Fans Never Discuss

There Was A Confrontation At The Hotel, But JBL Eventually Apologized At The Arena

Blackman was traveling with Holly and Ken Shamrock (what a tough car), and apparently Shamrock was poking Blackman, saying JBL was going to beat his ass. They arrived at the hotel, and of course JBL and Simmons were checking in at the same time. According to Holly, JBL came over to apologize and Blackman was having none of it, "No apologies, I'm going to finish you later." Holly and Shamrock found him in the gym later that day, still boiling hot over it.

Once they got to the arena, they were in catering and JBL came in. Word had clearly gotten around as things when silent when JBL arrived. Blackman stood up and said, “If you’ve got something to say to me, you say it now, or I’m going to finish you in front of everybody.” Bradshaw walked over, apologized and said, “I shouldn’t have fucked with you,” and shook his hand. Then Blackman sat down and said to Holly, "Bob, if it wasn’t for that bag, John would be in intensive care right now.” Again, Holly believed it. "If anybody can put Bradshaw in the hospital with one kick, it’s Steve Blackman."

Blackman wasn't the most successful wrestler in terms of winning titles -- although he was a six-time Hardcore Champion -- but he was most certainly a key figure in the Attitude Era who had some great moments. Who could forget Blackman pushing Shane McMahon off the entranceway at SummerSlam 2000? So, here's to Steve Blackman, an underrated and true badass of the Attitude Era!

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