Theodore Long facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Theodore Long |
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Long in 2018
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| Birth name | Theodore Robert Rufus Long |
| Born | September 15, 1947 Birmingham, Alabama, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) |
Tasha Long
(m. 1982; died 2022) |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Teddy Long Theodore Long Theodore R. Long |
| Billed height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Billed weight | 173 lb (78 kg) |
| Billed from | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Debut | 1985 |
Theodore Robert Rufus Long (born September 15, 1947), known as Teddy Long, is an American former professional wrestling referee, manager, and authority figure. He is famous for his time in the NWA, WCW, and WWE.
Long started his career in the National Wrestling Alliance. He joined WWE (then called the World Wrestling Federation) in 1998 as a referee. Later, in 2003, he became an on-screen manager. He then served as the General Manager of SmackDown for two periods, totaling six years. He was also the General Manager of ECW for one year.
In 2017, Teddy Long was honored by being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Professional Wrestling Career
Early Days in Wrestling (1985–1996)
Teddy Long began his journey in professional wrestling by helping out wrestlers like Tommy Rich and Abdullah the Butcher. He soon joined the ring crew. In 1985, he became a referee for Jim Crockett Promotions, which was part of the NWA.
In 1989, Long started to act like a "bad guy" referee. He would bend the rules to help certain wrestlers win. For example, he once made a very fast count that helped Mike Rotunda and "Dr. Death" Steve Williams win the NWA World Tag Team Championship. Because of these actions, the NWA removed him from his referee duties.
After being a referee, Long became a manager for wrestlers. He managed famous teams like Doom (Ron Simmons and Butch Reed), helping them win the World Tag Team Titles. He also managed many other wrestlers, including Johnny B. Badd, One Man Gang, and The Skyscrapers (Sid Vicious and "Mean" Mark Callous).
Joining WWE (1998–2004)
Teddy Long joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now known as WWE, in December 1998 as a referee. He was known simply as Teddy Long during this time.
By late 2002, WWE wanted Long to become a manager again, just like he was in NWA and WCW. He returned in 2003 with his full name, Theodore Long. He managed several wrestlers, including D'Lo Brown, Rodney Mack, and Mark Henry. He became known for his catchphrases, like telling fans to "Get down wit' da Brown" and to "Back da Mack."
In early 2004, he filled in as a guest General Manager for one night on Raw.
General Manager of SmackDown and ECW (2004–2012)
In July 2004, Teddy Long became the new General Manager of SmackDown!. He was the first African-American to hold this important position. As General Manager, he became a "good guy" and often made matches that favored the fans' favorite wrestlers. He would make sure that "bad guy" wrestlers, like John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), faced tough challenges.
Long also started the New Talent Initiative. This program helped new wrestlers like Bobby Lashley, Mr. Kennedy, and Montel Vontavious Porter make their debut in WWE.
In 2005, Long faced Raw General Manager Eric Bischoff in a match at Survivor Series. Long won the match with help from The Boogeyman.
He had some challenges with Booker T who tried to avoid defending his United States Championship. Long eventually made sure Booker T had to defend his title against Chris Benoit.
Long also made sure Rey Mysterio got his chance to compete for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 22.
In 2007, Long started a storyline where he became engaged to Kristal Marshall. Their wedding on SmackDown! was interrupted, and the storyline ended. Long later returned as the assistant general manager.
In June 2008, Teddy Long became the new General Manager of the ECW brand. He continued to introduce new talent, calling it the New Superstar Initiative. Wrestlers like Sheamus and Jack Swagger debuted during his time as ECW GM.
In April 2009, Long announced he was returning to SmackDown as General Manager. This made him the first person in WWE history to have a second term as a General Manager.
Long was involved in a storyline with CM Punk and The Undertaker in 2009. He made a controversial decision to restart a championship match. Later, The Undertaker "kidnapped" Long, bringing him to the arena in a coffin. Long then made The Undertaker's special move, the Hell's Gate, legal again.
He also had a long-running storyline with Drew McIntyre. Long once fired McIntyre and stripped him of his Intercontinental Championship. However, McIntyre was later reinstated by WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon.
In 2011, Long was involved in a storyline where he was found unconscious. He later revealed that Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler were responsible. He then fired Ziggler and Guerrero from their roles.
Working with John Laurinaitis and Booker T (2012–2014)
In 2012, Teddy Long had a rivalry with John Laurinaitis, who was the Interim General Manager of Raw. This led to a big 12-man Tag Team match at WrestleMania XXVIII. The winning team would decide who became the General Manager of both Raw and SmackDown. Unfortunately, Team Teddy lost to Team Johnny, and Long's time as SmackDown General Manager ended.
After losing his GM role, Long reluctantly became John Laurinaitis's assistant. Laurinaitis also hired Eve Torres as his Executive Administrator. Eve often treated Long poorly, making him do silly tasks like wearing an apron or dressing as a guard.
After Laurinaitis was fired, Long served as a guest General Manager for a short time. In August 2012, he became the Senior Advisor to the new SmackDown General Manager, Booker T. They worked well together at first, but Booker T later became annoyed when Long booked matches without his permission.
In July 2013, Long's role as a major authority figure ended when Vickie Guerrero was named the new SmackDown General Manager.
On June 12, 2014, Teddy Long was released from WWE, ending his long career with the company.
Hall of Fame and Special Appearances (2014–Present)
Even after leaving WWE, Teddy Long has made special appearances.
In October 2014, he returned for the 15th Anniversary of SmackDown. He got into an argument with John Laurinaitis, which led to a big 16-man Tag Team match. Team Teddy won the match.
In June 2016, Long appeared on Raw during the announcement of the restored WWE brand extension. He asked for another chance to be the General Manager of SmackDown, but Stephanie McMahon turned him down. He tried to set up a tag team match later that night but was escorted out.
On February 13, 2017, it was announced that Teddy Long would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He appeared on Raw in April 2017, thinking he would be named the new General Manager, but Kurt Angle was chosen instead. Long has continued to make brief appearances on special WWE shows, including Raw 25 Years in 2018, Raw Legends Night in 2021, and Raw is XXX in 2023. He was also seen backstage at the 2024 WWE Draft in April 2024.
Independent Wrestling (2014–Present)
Since 2014, Teddy Long has also worked in independent wrestling promotions.
In 2014, Booker T announced that Long would be the General Manager for his Reality of Wrestling promotion's event. Long also served as the General Manager for SWE Fury, a wrestling promotion based in Texas, until August 2021.
From 2021 to the present, Long has worked as a commissioner for independent wrestling promotions in Alabama, including Main Event Wrestling and Independent Wrestling Network.
Catchphrases
Teddy Long is well-known for his memorable catchphrases when he was an authority figure. Some of his most famous lines include:
- Telling "bad guy" wrestlers to go "one on one with The Undertaker!"
- His trademark "Holla, holla, holla!"
- His way of calming things down: "(Now) hold on just a minute playa!"
- His love for putting wrestlers in a "tag team match!"
Awards and Accomplishments
- Combat Sport Pro
- Hall of Fame (Class of 2015)
- National Wrestling Alliance
- NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2012)
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Manager of the Year (1990)
- WWE
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2017)
See also
In Spanish: Theodore Long para niños
