JBL expects his career to be over by May due to recurring back problems, which originally forced him to retire in 2006. He has not been listed in the May house show cards that have been released.
His recent claim to be doing something historic at WrestleMania 25 may well be an angle that sees him retire as the reigning Intercontinental Champion, which is something truly unique in WWE (with the recent exception of Trish Stratus retiring as Women’s Champion in 2006).
One possible idea for Mania that has been mentioned is JBL defending his title against Vladimir Kozlov. This would involve having JBL become a babyface in order to get over with the Texas crowd in his homestate, fighting the ‘evil foreigner’ to get the right atmosphere for a retirement moment.
An alternative plan would be to have him face Rey Mysterio, who retired JBL the first time around. Mysterio does not yet have a spot on the WrestleMania card.
Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 16th March 2009 (subscribe here)
