Former WWE Champion JBL spoke with The Miami Herald this week. Here are some highlights:

Working with Michael Cole this week: “I really enjoyed doing commentary and doing it with Michael Cole. I think he is one of the best play-by-play guys that I certainly have ever seen. I was tongue tied. I was rusty and made a ton of mistakes, but it was a lot of fun to be back. It was really enjoyable. I have always enjoyed the art of the heel commentator. It’s just a lot of fun to be out there.”

Filling in for Jerry Lawler: “To get the blessing from Jerry was great. I’m not there to take Jerry’s spot. I’m there to fill in for Jerry’s seat. I hadn’t talked to Jerry, so I was glad he was aware of that. Jerry and I share a birthday (Nov. 29), but not the same year. He was born in the 1800s sometime, like 1891 or something. He’s about 140 now I think. So we have this same birthday and have always had this unique bond. I was really sad to see what happened to him, but I’m glad he is doing so well. It was a nice gesture for him to reach out before the show and give his blessing. Though I understand why he had a heart attack now, working with Michael Cole. Anyone could have a heart attack working with Cole.”

His future after climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro: “I haven’t had many plans beyond that. They called me asking if I could fill in for Jerry, and I was very happy to do that. My program starts up in Bermuda when I get back, which is working with some great young men deemed at risk by society. I have a pretty busy fall, so I have no idea. They are trying to figure out right now if Jerry is okay and what they are going to do. Booker [T.] has been moved to general manager of SmackDown. I have no idea. I’m not privy to their conversations. I don’t know any more of the future than I’m climbing a mountain with hopes that I live and can come back to work on the program with our kids in Bermuda.”

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