The Miz Defends JBL Against WWE Bullying Accusations

JBL’s name has long been tied to WWE locker room bullying—but The Miz says the real story might be more complicated.

Speaking on the Six Feet Under podcast on February 11, 2026, The Miz opened up about his early WWE years and dropped a surprising defense of JBL, who has long been accused of bullying younger talent behind the scenes.

“You know what’s weird? JBL gets a lot of flak for bullying or being an a**hole. He gets a lot of that. But it wasn’t really him,” Miz said, reflecting on the reputation JBL has carried for years. “He was the person who took me aside and said, ‘Hey kid, you’re doing a good job. Keep doing this, this, and this. Keep it up.’”

Instead of blaming JBL for the rough treatment he received, Miz pointed the finger at midcard wrestlers trying to climb the ranks—those eager to make a name for themselves by taking shots at the “Real World” rookie.

“It was more the people around who weren’t in top spots,” Miz explained. “It was the ones who weren’t solidified trying to prove something, like, ‘Hey, watch me get this Real World kid. Watch me stiff him.’”

The statement comes as a shock considering JBL’s name has been synonymous with WWE locker room controversies for nearly two decades, including accusations connected to Mauro Ranallo’s abrupt departure in 2017. In past interviews, including a 2022 Wrestling Shoot Interview, former WWE star Val Venis didn’t hesitate to name JBL as the biggest bully in the locker room.

“JBL. I always considered JBL to be a walking home entertainment center,” Venis said at the time. There were times, because he never had a filter, things that would come out of his mouth were incredible. I don't know how he didn't get fired for some of the things.”

But Miz’s comments show that some of that heat might have been misdirected. According to him, the veteran was actually one of the few who offered real support. As WWE continues to reflect on its evolving backstage culture, Miz’s comments could lead to more discussions about who was really responsible for the toxic atmosphere during the 2000s and early 2010s.

Do you think Miz is right to defend JBL—or is this just damage control for a former colleague? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know how you feel about Miz’s take on WWE’s locker room history.

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