JBL Says 'I Quit' Ending to His WWE Career Was Vince McMahon’s Idea

JBL has opened up about the final moments of his WWE in-ring career, recalling that Vince McMahon came out to meet him after his last match, hugged him and thanked him for everything he had done. JBL also said McMahon personally decided how his retirement should play out on television, instructing him to keep his final promo to just two words: “I quit.”

JBL wrestled his final WWE match against Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 25 on April 5, 2009, at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas. He entered the match as Intercontinental Champion but lost the title to Mysterio in a match that lasted less than a minute. JBL recently explained that the short match was connected to the physical problems he was dealing with, particularly his back.

Speaking on Something To Wrestle With Bruce PrichardSomething to Wrestle, JBL made it clear that retirement wasn't something he had planned because he had lost interest in wrestling. His body simply wasn't allowing him to continue. “I couldn't do much more. My back was hurt. And that's about all I could do was get in the ring, get out. I couldn't, I couldn't hardly work out. I couldn't do much. My back was really bothering me and it was time to get out of the ring.”

After Mysterio defeated him, JBL remained in the ring and took the microphone. Instead of delivering a lengthy retirement speech, he simply announced, “I quit.” According to JBL, that simplicity came directly from McMahon. He recalled that McMahon also came out afterward to personally acknowledge him as his wrestling career came to an end.

“Vince came out and hugged me and told me thank you. And, you know, it was Vince wanted me to have the promo at the end. Vince wanted me not to say anything, just say ‘I quit.’ And that was his idea.” The moment ended a WWE in-ring career that had stretched across several different versions of JBL's character. He spent years alongside Ron Simmons in the APA before reinventing himself as the wealthy, outspoken JBL in 2004. That transformation eventually led to his WWE Championship reign and his rivalry with Eddie Guerrero.

JBL has also explained that he personally chose Mysterio as his final opponent. The decision carried a personal connection because of how highly he regarded both Mysterio and Guerrero. “I chose Rey because, I chose Rey. I mean, that was a definitive choice that I made because of my love for both Rey and for Eddie.”

Even after his own match was finished, JBL didn't immediately leave. He stayed long enough to watch Shawn Michaels face The Undertaker, a match that became one of the most celebrated bouts in WrestleMania history. For JBL, watching that match provided a fitting final memory before leaving the arena.

“I remember sitting there before I left, it was Shawn and Taker in the ring. And I remember sitting there just watching, thinking, I've just watched the best match I've ever seen. It's a good time to go home.” JBL then left WrestleMania 25 with his full-time wrestling career behind him. McMahon's hug and brief message of thanks, combined with his instruction to simply say “I quit,” became part of how JBL's final night as an active WWE wrestler played out.