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A beloved name in WWE history recently expressed hesitation about a potential return to the Stamford-based promotion. The name in question here is Teddy Long, known for his stint as SmackDown General Manager during the 2000s.
The 76-year-old was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer in 2017 by John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) and Ron Simmons. During the April 26, 2024, episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Long made a surprise appearance alongside JBL. Later on the April 29 episode of Monday Night RAW, he returned to announce fourth-round picks of this year's Draft.
Speaking to Chris Van Vliet on INSIGHT, the former SmackDown GM was asked if he was open to returning to WWE for a full-time on-screen role. Teddy Long acknowledged the changes in the company under the new direction of Triple H, suggesting that an authority figure role might be past its prime.
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The Hall of Famer, however, left the door open for a future comeback under specific circumstances.
"No. With the changes now, I think they're going in another direction. You know that GM stuff is probably going to be played out a little bit. I don't know. I just think I'm not gonna go. Somebody else may think of something else. I don't know, but I just don't think so. Unless there are some major changes there," Long said. [54:26 - 54:49]
60-year-old WWE legend should be in charge of AEW creative, believes Teddy Long
The former SmackDown General Manager claimed that former WWE Superstar Billy Gunn should lead the creative team of All Elite Wrestling.
He is currently a member of The Acclaimed alongside Max Caster and Anthony Bowens, who recently lost the AEW World Trios Championship to the Bullet Club Gold at Dynasty pay-per-view.
While speaking on Sportskeeda Wrestling Time Machine, Teddy Long suggested the 60-year-old legend should take over AEW's creative. He said:
"They [AEW] need to be using Billy's brain. That's what they need to be using. He's one of the guys that should be in charge of creative."
It remains to be seen if the WWE Hall of Famer makes more appearances following the 2024 Draft.
