JBL may be approaching 60, but the former WWE Champion is making it clear that he’s not done with the wrestling business just yet.
In a recent interview with VideoGamer, the WWE Hall of Famer opened up about his current training and teased that he has something in mind that could materialize in 2026. While JBL stopped short of outright confirming a full in-ring return, his comments suggest that fans shouldn’t rule anything out.
Bradshaw revealed that he’s been training with respected wrestling minds Jody Malenko and Gerald Brisco, sessions he’s also been sharing snippets of on social media. According to JBL, the motivation comes from a genuine love of the business and a desire to contribute on his own terms.
He explained that he’s exploring an idea that would allow him more control than in past situations, particularly when it comes to how things wrap up. JBL noted that in previous attempts, plans shifted due to booking changes, something he’s hoping to avoid this time around. Whether his idea fully comes together remains to be seen, but he’s optimistic that something could take shape sooner rather than later.
JBL last competed in the ring during a battle royal in 2023, marking his first match in over a decade. Since then, his involvement in wrestling has mostly come through appearances and managerial roles across several promotions. He’s popped up in AAA, TNA Wrestling, GCW, and MLW, often serving as a veteran presence rather than an active competitor.
Interestingly, JBL also revealed months ago that he was preparing for a more substantial role in TNA, including in-ring training, before those plans ultimately fell apart. That experience may be part of what’s driving his desire to have more creative control this time.
While nothing is official and timelines remain vague, JBL’s comments make one thing clear: he’s not just training for fun. Whether it leads to a match, a storyline-driven appearance, or something entirely different, 2026 could see the “Wrestling God” back in a meaningful way — proving once again that in pro wrestling, retirement is rarely permanent.
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