Freeperish pro wrestler fired from CNBC for Nazi gestures in Germany

[Tummler]

I haven't watched the WWE/WWF in a couple of years, but apparently Bradshaw has become increasingly freeperish on the air. He's always been a right-wing, "good ol' boy," Texan bully in real life, and they've recently incorporated those attributes into his heel gimmick in the ring. To the uninitiated, that means he's portrayed as a bad guy.

While I generally don't think performers should be punished for playing a role, be it in movies or television or pro wrestling, I have a suspicion that Bradshaw was doing a little more freelancing than his role required. In any case, I can't say I'm sorry to see this idiot booted from his laughable gig as a financial analyst.

Here are some links from the last two days ...


From Alex Marvez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

Making gestures associated with Nazism during a World Wrestling Entertainment match in Germany last weekend has cost a prominent performer his moonlighting job as a financial analyst on CNBC.

The network announced Tuesday that John "Bradshaw" Layfield was fired from his job as a CNBC contributor. Layfield was hired last month after serving as a guest analyst for Fox News Channel, which began featuring him regularly last year following the release of his book Have More Money Now.

In an apparent attempt to draw a crowd response during his match against WWE champion Eddie Guerrero in Munich, eyewitness reports said Layfield goose-stepped around the ring and raised his arm numerous times in an Adolf Hitler salute. Such actions are illegal in Germany, although no criminal charges were brought against the 13-year wrestling veteran after the show.

**snip**

Layfield, 36, was recently elevated to a main-event position on the WWE's Smackdown roster after his character was changed to portray him as an anti-immigration zealot, with Mexicans usually the targets of his prejudice during weekly Thursday telecasts on UPN.


From the Pro Wrestling Torch:

Since Bradshaw has been so hard on internet fans recently (in a mix of work/shoot comments) there have been a number of email campaigns to both WWE and CNBC alerting them to the situation. CNBC has not reacted publicly to Bradshaw's actions. Bradshaw hosts a show on the financial cable network.


Also from the Pro Wrestling Torch:

CNBC, the financial news cable network that recently hired Bradshaw (John Layfield) away from Fox News, has fired Bradshaw for his imitation of well-known "Heil Hitler" gestures during a wrestling match in Germany this weekend. A CNBC spokesman called his behavior offensive and inappropriate and no longer wanted to be associated with him.

For what it's worth, several colleagues of Bradshaw have told me this week and in recent weeks that while Bradshaw does genuinely hold Republican/conservative beliefs, they don't believe he is a racist in real life. He has a track record of being a brutish bully behind the scenes, but not racist, according to several colleagues. Even those who don't like him believe his actions in Germany were thoughtlessness on his part while trying to use similar heel techniques as he used while in Texas, for instance, in trying to demean Hispanics. That said, there are a lot of people he's gotten stiff with in the ring or ribbed behind the scenes who are happy to see him get a form of comeuppance.

[Hawkeye-X]

1. Worthless POS

Freeper deserved to be fired.

[evil_orange_cat]

2. bravo!

I saw this guy... what a tool...

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. WWE = Republican/FReeper/Facsist

I recall many of them going to the Republican Convention in 2000. The Rock, a.k.a, Ahhnuld wannabe, spoke there too.

I am not suprised to hear this. The WWE's core audience is the standard White, Middle Class, Male who is very hostile to minorities.

I agree with Joe Lieberman that we should shut these SOB's down!!!

[anti_shrub]

4. *sigh* not all wrestling fans are racist freepers....

I've been a fan for almost 20 years, and despite people always deducting 50 IQ points upon finding that out about me, I've never had a freepish inclination in my life.

[Hawkeye-X]

9. I am too..

I have been a fan of wrestling for many years...

Just occasionally watch WWE and see how disgusting it is these days.

Which reminds me, I gotta wander off to http://www.wrestlecrap.com for laughs.

Hawkeye-X

[lanparty]

6. Hey, hey ...

Don't generalize. Apparently, pro wrestling is big in Mexico as well. There, all the wrestlers must wear masks and keep their identities secret. They're kinda like mascots that way ;-) Sophmoric, moronish simulated violence is by no means limited to America.

To me, this is all cathartic venting. Though, I think people would do better to go out and physically exert themselves instead of watching these steroid laden bafoons prance around the rings in tights. Either that, or watch REAL Budo like boxing, K-1 or Ultimate Fighting.

[LTR]

7. They hit both conventions

They got The Rock to speak at the GOP convention, and Chyna to speak at the Dem Convention. They were running a big voter registration drive at the time. I won't hold any of this against them, particularly The Rock, who claims to be nonpartisan in his political beliefs.

I used to watch wrestling, but it's pretty lame now. That, and they get pretty freeperish on their shows.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

8. The Rock backed Ahhnuld's Coup in Cali!!!!

He's one of them!!!

He's my enemy!

[lanparty]

5. The REAL issue is ...

Why does CNBC need to hire wrestlers for financial commentary? One would think an ECONOMIST might be a better selection.

As far as the wrestling goes ... who cares. It's Jerry Springer with more violence. When I was little, we had the Iron Sheik representing Iran. Same shit, different decade. They're pumped up bafoons, nothing more.

[DerBeppo]

10. actually

his portfolio is pretty damn impressive and he speaks well, two things that aren't too easy to find in the same place when it comes to economists.

[lanparty]

11. He's an actor ...

They all speak pretty well. Just look at Reagan!!!!

Don't make the mistake of thinking the guy who wins the most at craps is necessarily "good at it".

[azmesa207]

12. The real Issue

Bradshaw was a Economist and was a good businessman just a Republican Texas Asshole And before Bradshaw became Layfield his Tag team partner was Black and not all fan are white racists