john bradshaw layfield

As confirmed tonight on WWE RAW, former WWE Championship John “Bradshaw” Layfield was announced to be the special guest referee in the Jerry “The King” Lawler vs Michael Cole match at WrestleMania 27. This was his first WWE appearance in several years. However, before he was able to sign the contract, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin made his way to the ring, stunned JBL and then signed the contract, and will be the referee in the match that WWE is hyping as a “main event” for the show. Derek and I will be talking about this more in detail tonight during our weekly WrestleHeat Radio broadcast after RAW goes off the air tonight.

Below is the recap of the whole segment:

Back from the break and there’s a red cover over the ring apron. We see video of Cole revealing Jack Swagger as his trainer last week and Swagger putting the ankle lock on Jerry Lawler. By the way, Lawler isn’t here tonight. We go to the ring where Cole is. Cole says his match at WrestleMania is the main event. He has a contract in his hand for the special referee job. Cole says he respects Lawler and has chosen a referee who is impartial. Cole has been talking to this person for a week and the person has vowed to call the match down the middle. Cole says it’s a former WWE Champion, a true legend, one of the most iconic figures in WWE history. Cole says he’s a legendary Texan also. Cole says we all know he’s here, teasing Steve Austin. Cole gets the crowd to chant Austin’s name and then calls them fools. Cole says he suckered everyone in. Cole introduces his special referee, John Bradshaw Layfield. JBL’s music hits and the white limousine pulls into the arena. JBL hops out of the limousine and makes his way to the ring.

JBL enters the ring and embraces Cole. JBL takes the mic and puts down Texas sport teams and the state of Texas after talking about being in New York City. JBL says he knew the people would welcome him back with open arms and he thanks them. JBL says this is much more important than everyone. JBL says he’s proud of Cole. JBL says there’s other matches and a guest host at WrestleMania but this is the main event. JBL talks about mentoring Cole and says Lawler has been nothing but a bully to Cole. JBL says he can buy anyone in the building but nothing can buy JBL, he will call it down the middle at WrestleMania. JBL says he is a man of integrity. JBL says today, he begins his journey back to the main event at WrestleMania. Steve Austin’s music hits and out he comes to a huge pop!

Austin enters the ring and poses for the fans. JBL and Cole start yelling at him. Cole is hiding behind JBL. Austin doesn’t say much back before hitting JBL with a Stunner. Austin puts JBL’s hat on and hits the turnbuckles. Austin is thrown some beers as Cole gets back on the announcers headset and starts yelling that Austin ruined his night. Austin downs some beers and pours one on JBL. Austin picks up the contract. JBL still hadn’t signed it so the job is open. Austin asks if we want him to sign it, give him a hell yeah. Austin signs the contract and is the special referee for WrestleMania. Cole is crying at ringside. Austin announces he is the special referee for Cole vs. Lawler and that’s the bottom line. Austin goes to ringside and shakes Cole’s hand and wishes him good luck. Austin then pours two beers over Cole’s head, wishes him good luck up close and shoves him back into the chair. Austin has a few more beers as his music plays and he gets back in the ring. Austin pours another beer over Cole’s head. Cole just stands there humiliated before walking off crying. A beer is thrown to Austin but it hits JBL in the head as he gets up. Austin offers JBL a beer and they drink. As JBL is drinking, Austin stuns him. We see Cole on the stage throwing a tantrum with Jack Swagger. Austin is thrown a few more beers as he heads up the ramp.