JBL shared that if Sean Waltman were starting his wrestling career today, he likely would be holding a world title, praising him as one of the smartest individuals he has ever known. On the latest episode of Something to Wrestle, which JBL co-hosts with Conrad Thompson, he discussed Waltman’s role in WWE’s ID program, where Waltman mentors young wrestlers by analyzing his own past matches and pointing out his mistakes.
JBL expressed deep admiration for Waltman, calling him exceptionally intelligent, particularly when it comes to wrestling. He recounted an instance during a match when Waltman instinctively spotted a detail JBL himself hadn’t considered, noting that Waltman pointed out why a reversal move wouldn’t make sense when JBL was physically much larger. This kind of wrestling intuition became a hallmark of Waltman’s career.
Waltman debuted in WWF in 1993 as the 1-2-3 Kid, a persona born out of an unexpected victory over Razor Ramon. His success stemmed from the realistic portrayal of his size disadvantage, which JBL highlighted as a key to his in-ring storytelling. JBL also praised Waltman’s tag team with Kane, ranking it among the best ever. Their partnership, which lasted through 1999 and 2000 and included winning the WWF Tag Team Championship, thrived on the stark contrast between their sizes, a dynamic built into their teamwork rather than ignored.
According to JBL, the tag team didn’t last because both men had other priorities—Waltman was needed in D-Generation X (DX), while Kane was involved in a storyline with The Undertaker. JBL also noted the strong respect Waltman commanded backstage, mentioning an example where JBL’s own team agreed to put Waltman over cleanly during a match finish as a sign of that respect. He suggested that during their era, such a gesture only happened when there was genuine admiration.
JBL concluded by reinforcing that Waltman was ahead of his time, emphasizing that anyone could learn from him and asserting that Waltman would be a champion if wrestling in today’s environment. Historically, Waltman never captured a world title in WWF or WCW mainly due to his size, as bigger wrestlers dominated the top tier during his prime. Today’s landscape is more inclusive of smaller talents at the highest level, supporting JBL’s view that Waltman’s lack of a world championship was more about timing than skill.
Since stepping away from active competition, Waltman has remained involved in wrestling through his podcast and coaching roles. He often talks about wanting to share the lessons he’s learned rather than just recount his career highlights. His current mentoring in the WWE ID program, where he openly discusses his past mistakes to help young wrestlers improve, fits perfectly into this ongoing mission.
In recognition of his contributions, Waltman was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2019 as part of D-Generation X.
Fan Take:
This insight into Waltman’s legacy highlights how the evolution of wrestling allows talents that were once overlooked to now thrive at the highest levels. It’s a reminder for fight fans that wrestling is as much about smart storytelling and character as it is about size, and mentors like Waltman play a vital role in shaping the future of the sport.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
