In a candid revelation, WWE legend Teddy Long has opened up about his alleged experiences with racism during his time in the wrestling industry, particularly in relation to John Laurinaitis, a figure known for his role in WWE’s backstage operations.
Teddy Long’s wrestling legacy is well-established, thanks in no small part to his nearly decade-long tenure as the SmackDown General Manager from 2004 to 2012. Known for his charismatic and entertaining on-screen persona, Long was a beloved figure on WWE programming. However, the wrestling world, both in front of and behind the camera, can be a complex and challenging environment, and Long’s recent comments shed light on some of the struggles he faced.
In a recent interview, Teddy Long didn’t mince words when discussing his experiences with John Laurinaitis. Long, who is a WWE Hall of Famer, recalled a particular incident involving Vince McMahon and a private plane. According to Long, Vince McMahon had considered sending his plane to pick him up, but Laurinaitis intervened and canceled the arrangement at the last moment.
Long recounted the incident, saying,
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“When you did the interview with Tony Atlas, he told you that Vince was gonna send a private plane. Let me correct you. Vince was not gonna send a private plane; he was gonna send his plane to pick me up. But John Laurinaitis blocked it. He made me drive. That’s the true story of it. Is that about racism for you?” said Teddy Long.
This is not the first time Teddy Long has spoken out against Laurinaitis. Long previously revealed that Laurinaitis had suggested that WWE shouldn’t produce action figures and merchandise featuring him due to a perceived lack of demand. Laurinaitis reportedly told Long that people wouldn’t be interested in buying his action figures.
That time CM Punk publicly shoot on John Laurinaitis for firing wrestlers pic.twitter.com/jA26bQ3G24
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“If a man tells you that they ain’t gonna make an action figure of you because the people won’t buy it, why would they make a T-shirt? They ain’t gonna buy the action figure, they ain’t gonna buy nothing else. So that’s what John Laurinaitis said you know that they won’t buy you. He told me this to my face so I guarantee you, if he had anything to do with them making many T-shirts, he was probably the guy that stopped it.”
In light of Laurinaitis’s lengthy association with WWE, spanning close to 21 years before his departure in August 2022, Teddy Long’s recent comments add another layer to the ongoing conversation about diversity, equity, and inclusion within the wrestling industry.
As Teddy Long continues to share his experiences and perspectives, the wrestling community remains engaged in discussions surrounding issues of race, representation, and the broader dynamics within the world of professional wrestling.
