John “Bradshaw” Layfield has predicted that Vince McMahon will release a “raw” tell-all book within the next two years. Speaking on the Something to Wrestle podcast, JBL was asked if he thought the world would ever hear Vince McMahon’s unvarnished side of stories like the Montreal Screwjob.
“I’ll give you the over-under on the book in two years.” When asked if he meant a book could be out in two years, JBL clarified his stance. “I think there’s probably a 99 to 100% chance.”
“Yeah, I think there’s, unless something happens, I think, there’s nothing 100%, [but] close to 100% as you can get in the next, I would say, one to two years, you’re going to get a book, and I have a feeling it’s going to be beyond belief. I have a feeling it will be raw, and it will be completely no freaking hiding and nothing. I think Vince is going to let everything out, and I think it’s going to be one of the best books ever written.”
Vince’s Disappointment In Hogan’s Book
JBL explained that Vince McMahon was previously “very upset” about a book by a major star that he felt was a “home version” and not the full truth.
“But Vince was very upset about a person that wrote a book, and he wrote, kind of the home version, as you understand what I’m talking about, you know, he didn’t write, you know, and for very good reasons, you know, he didn’t want to write about, you know, any type of drug abuse or affairs or anything like that. And Vince, I remember, was very, very unhappy about that. He wanted the truth to be told. He thought it was fine. He put out a book, you know, Jesse Ventura did that, put it out, all out of a book, and when he’s running for governor. And it worked.
“I have a feeling Vince is going to put every single detail in there, embarrassing or not, and I have a feeling it’s going to be one of the craziest things I’ve told people for so long. If people knew the real events, they would not believe it. They would think it’s fiction. The way he worked, the way he would drink till two or three in the morning, then go to the gym, and then come in for a little nap and get up to do cardio the next morning, and do that seven days a week. People are going to find it hard to believe, but I think it’s going to be absolutely incredible….I don’t want to say anything I shouldn’t. I have a feeling it out within a year or two.”
JBL later confirmed he was referring to Hulk Hogan’s book from 20 years ago. “Yeah, yeah, that was it. Vince wanted him to write a book that was about Hogan. Hogan led a great life. Hogan Hogan Hogan, you know, I understand all of the racist allegations and the stuff that he said, which is inexcusable, by the way, but Hogan had a wild, crazy life. I mean, he lived like a freaking rock star. I’m telling you, Mick Jagger would be jealous of the way Hogan lived, and Vince wanted that put in the book. Instead, it was almost just half written in character, you know….And Vince was, I remember, I was on a plane with him. He was very disappointed.”
‘He Ain’t Going Quietly Into The Night’
“I’m kind of surprised that this is news that Vince could have a book out.” JBL, who was surprised to learn his prediction was “major news,” stated that Vince McMahon has never told his side of the story and that a “second act” could change public perception .
“Well, I don’t want to give away his personal business. I don’t think that the speculation that there’s going to be a book out within two years isn’t necessarily giving away his personal business. I would not give away any of his personal business, you know, I wouldn’t mention, I wouldn’t mention, even if there was an 80th birthday party, much less tell anybody details of it. So I don’t want to give anything, anything away to a guy who’s been such a wonderful benefactor to me, but Vince has never told his side of the story. And when you tell your side of the story, you get blasted. I mean, this just everything’s against you.”
JBL added, “You get over all of this stuff, you have a chance to, you don’t always do it, but you have a chance to, but you got to have that second act. Vince hasn’t had that. Vince has allowed all of this against him, and I’ve seen him deal with a lot of crisis. Once Vince comes out and starts telling his side of the story. I think it will change things, and especially if there’s more to it than just a book, which it sounds like there is. I don’t have any inside knowledge for this, with the production facility has and all that, if he has a second act, yes, I think people will. There will be some people who will hate him forever, and some people will look at it think I was wrong when I thought about him.”
He recalled a powerful moment with Vince around WrestleMania 39, shortly after the TKO deal was finalized. “So it was a WrestleMania, and I knew Vince was in the building, so I figured out where he was in a room downstairs. …I find where he is and knock on the door and go in… I hadn’t seen him in forever, since, you know, since he got out, ousted from the company, and he’s just making this deal with TKO. And I said, I am so happy you did not go quietly in the night. And that man looked at me, and his eyes, it’s like they lit on fire, Conrad, I mean, it’s hard to explain. He goes, You fucking knew I wouldn’t do that. And the way he said it, Oh my god, wow, that is some powerful shit. I said, That’s why I love you boss. He ain’t going quietly in the night. I can tell you that I don’t know what’s gonna happen. I have no inside information whatsoever, and but I can tell you, I don’t think he’s going quietly into the night.”
Vince McMahon resigned from his position as Executive Chairman of TKO Group Holdings in January 2024, following a lawsuit filed by Janel Grant alleging sexual assault, exploitation, and trafficking. McMahon has denied the allegations and stated his intention to vigorously defend himself. This predicted book or series would be his first major public project since his departure.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Something to Wrestle with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription. You can listen to the full episode on podcast platforms or watch at SomethingToWrestle.com.
