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United States Teddy Long has transitioned from a professional wrestling referee and manager to a notable authority figure within the sport, recognized for his contributions to major organizations like WWE and NWA.
Teddy Long began his career in the National Wrestling Alliance as a referee and later as a manager for various wrestling talents.
He managed several wrestlers in WCW, including Ice Train, contributing to their careers and storylines.
Teddy Long had multiple tenures with WWE as a referee, manager, and notably as General Manager of SmackDown and ECW, eventually being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Teddy Long offers personalized video messages through Cameo, allowing fans to receive greetings for various occasions.
Long served as the general manager for Booker T's Reality of Wrestling promotion for their Summer of Champions iPPV.
Teddy Long acted as the general manager for the nationally televised wrestling promotion SWE Fury, based in Plano, Texas.
From 2021 to the present, Long has worked as a commissioner for Main Event Wrestling, an independent promotion in Alabama.
From 2021 to the present, Long has worked as a commissioner for the Independent Wrestling Network, an independent promotion in Alabama.
Theodore Robert Rufus Long, born on September 15, 1947, in Birmingham, Alabama, began his career in sports entertainment at a foundational level. He started by performing various tasks for wrestlers such as Abdullah the Butcher and by sweeping the ring for Jim Crockett Promotions. His dedication and growing understanding of professional wrestling led him to become an official referee within the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in 1985. Long’s early career as a referee saw him officiate significant matches, including Ric Flair’s major bouts and the NWA World Heavyweight Championship match at Chi-Town Rumble in 1989.
Long’s career trajectory shifted when he transitioned from referee to manager in the NWA and later World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He guided successful tag teams and individual heavy hitters, including Doom (Ron Simmons and Butch Reed), Johnny B. Badd, One Man Gang, and The Skyscrapers. His ability to manage and elevate talent showcased his strategic understanding of the wrestling business. In 1998, Long joined WWE, initially working as a referee. By late 2003, he moved into a managerial role, working with Superstars like Mark Henry and Rodney Mack under the stable “Thuggin’ and Buggin’ Enterprises.” Later, he became the first African-American General Manager of SmackDown in 2004, a role he reprised several times, also serving as ECW General Manager in 2008. During his tenure as General Manager, Long was known for making fair decisions and providing opportunities to rising stars.
Throughout his extensive career, Long accumulated several accolades and milestones. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, a testament to his impact and longevity in the industry. He also received the Manager of the Year award from Pro Wrestling Illustrated in 1990 and was inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2012. Beyond his in-ring and managerial roles, Long has made sporadic appearances for WWE events, including anniversary shows for Raw and SmackDown, and has worked as a general manager for independent promotions like Reality of Wrestling and SWE Fury, continuing his involvement in the sport.
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