JBL attempted to subtly reference an IMPACT faction during an episode of WWE Raw.
The WWE Hall of Famer hosted an invitational poker game during the December 3rd Raw, with multiple WWE Superstars seen in around the tables. One Superstar present was Luke Gallows, who was a part of the TNA faction Aces & Eights. With the name also known as the “dead man’s hand” in poker, Bradshaw missed an opportunity to reference Gallows’ history.
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Speaking on Stories with Briscoe and Bradshaw, JBL revealed the original plan for the Easter egg, stating that the opportunity was missed:
“When we’re dealing the cards and we’re doing the last thing, it occurred to me. I wanted to have Luke Gallows have aces and eights for his hand and not say anything about it. Just throw it down. I didn’t have a chance to clear [it with WWE]. I don’t know if that would’ve been a problem or not, but I just thought about that as soon as we’re doing the last scene. I thought, ‘Damn it, I missed something there.’”
JBL has had a historic career in WWE, with a reign as WWE Champion being the highlight. Bradshaw has defeated some of the biggest names in the business, such as The Undertaker and Eddie Guerrero. One surprising name also once offered to lose to the WWE Hall of Famer while wrestling in JBL’s home state of Texas.
The Aces & Eights faction was first seen on screen in June 2012, portrayed as a motorcycle gang and all members wearing masks to cover their identities. The first impact made by the faction was an attack on Sting as The Icon was being inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame.
Members of the group would gradually be revealed on IMPACT programming, with 14 members being revealed across the lifespan of the Aces & Eights. Notable members would include Devon Dudley, D.O.C. [Luke Gallows] and Taz, who interrupted the wedding between Bully Ray and Hulk Hogan’s daughter Brooke.
The faction would disband in 2013 when Mr. Anderson defeated Bully Ray in a No Disqualification match at the Turning Point pay-per-view. The added stipulation was that if the WWE Hall of Famer lost, the group was forced to disband.
H/t to 411 Mania for the use of transcription