Teddy Long: Smackdown's Best GM! One-on-One With The Undertaker, Buckle Up Teddy & More!

Рет қаралды 160,488

Күн бұрын

Teddy Long is a WWE Hall of Famer known for his tenure as Smackdown and ECW General Manager and as a referee in WWE. Big thank you to Chris Hughes from Appalachian Championship Wrestling for helping to make this interview happen! Teddy sits down with Chris Van Vliet in Indianapolis, IN to talk about this legendary career as a WWE personality, his role as the Smackdown GM, his iconic lines like "One on one with The Undertaker", "Lemme holla at ya, playa" and being part of the "Buckle up Teddy" segment. He discusses how becoming friends with James Brown led to him working in wrestling, how he got hired by WWE, working as a referee before becoming an on-air personality, his dance moves, being chased by "Stone Cold" Steve Austin on an ATV and much more!
Check out Teddy Long’s podcast “Road Trip After Hours” here: / @roadtripafterhours
BLUECHEW: Use the code INSIGHT to get your first month of BlueChew for FREE at bluechew.com
00:00 Intro
00:35 What’s on his WWE Hall of Fame ring?
01:16 How he got his start as a pro wrestling referee
07:53 What did he want to do when he was a kid?
08:58 Working for the legendary James Brown
10:49 Managing The Undertaker at the beginning of his career
12:08 Having issues with John Laurinaitis
14:15 What was his relationship with Vince McMahon
15:40 Did he ever feel like he was one of the boys?
16:31 The origin of his using the word playa
17:14 When did he start doing his on-screen dance?
18:22 Adding emphasis to 1-on-1 with The Undertaker
20:58 How did he get his referee job in WWE
25:45 Being in the right place at the right time
26:58 Was he surprised about the John Laurinaitis lawsuits
28:47 Memories of Over the Edge 1999
30:59 Being the referee for D-lo Brown vs Droz
32:16 What does he hear in his earpiece as a ref
33:33 Does he think his career is over?
34:13 What’s the origin of ‘buckle up Teddy’
36:59 Being ok taking himself the but of the joke
38:37 Was there anything he ever said no to
39:18 Stone Cold chasing him with the ATV
40:14 What did it mean to him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame?
41:24 Why does he hate Mark Corrano?
43:27 His memories of working with Eddie Guerrero
45:38 Eddie Guerrero destroying his Lincoln
46:11 Why has wrestling become more popular again?
48:14 His thoughts on The Rock vs Cody Rhodes
50:01 Honesty is Teddy Long's superpower
50:23 How many suits does he own?
51:33 Prioritizing his health and staying in the gym
53:36 Did he think CM Punk was going to return to WWE?
54:22 Does he ever think he’ll be back in WWE?
56:18 Vince McMahon being stumped by him during a promo
01:00:28 3 things Teddy Long is grateful for
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#wwe #wrestling #teddylong #BlueWireVideo

Пікірлер: 780

@ChrisVanVliet 27 күн бұрын

Hit that subscribe button... or be prepared to go one-on-one with THE UNDERTAKER! 😱

@gr8powerfuloz86 27 күн бұрын

More managers please Chris

@mahertaker 27 күн бұрын

I just did, cuz the last thing I want is to go one on one with the Undertaker 😂

@Prowrastletalk 27 күн бұрын

Undertakkaaaa thank you

@Gary_Youtube1 27 күн бұрын

Since you're making the manager rounds! Chris buddy, you've got to get Jimmy cornette on the show, he will do it.

@Ariurotl 27 күн бұрын

Now hold on just a minute, playa...

@MadMike1 27 күн бұрын

I know it's a meme, but Teddy probably understood the Undertaker character more than any other GM/boss in the WWE. He treated Taker like a force of nature, and would summon him anytime things got too out of hand to bring the WWE universe back into balance. Taker was the final boss of Smackdown when Teddy was GM. Teddy made Taker feel special.

@govardhanposina17 27 күн бұрын

You know I never really saw it that way but now it makes a ton of sense, it made Teddy seem distinctive and interesting from any other GM and at the same time added to Undertaker's already elusive allure

@hay3zgod212 27 күн бұрын

He managed "Mean mark callous"/undertaker back in the late 80s in WCW,they go wayyy back.

@hay3zgod212 27 күн бұрын

kzfaq.info/get/bejne/q5pmmpOKmsWlgKs.htmlsi=00EEUbt16obDk8Cn

@benthin-mints5641 27 күн бұрын

The Original Final Boss, Original Big Dog 💪🏼

@julianokeke3466 27 күн бұрын

For me it was Ultimate Warrior 😂

@michaeldaugherty2293 27 күн бұрын

Best general manager of all time in WWE.

@novashenra 27 күн бұрын

Teddy, Bishoff and Heyman are the GOATS

@Liverpoollad. 27 күн бұрын

U will be facing THE UNDERTAKKKEERRRRRRRR

@ClaytonHouseholder-ou9lg 27 күн бұрын

That gets a Holla Holla Holla!

@hugo9927 27 күн бұрын

FACTS PLAYA

@jacobhicks3016 27 күн бұрын

Yes and it’s not even close

@anilbalram7768 27 күн бұрын

He single handedly made the blueprint for managing Smackdown

@CameronWilliams-gy8bw 27 күн бұрын

Yes Sir 🫡🙌🏾👍🏾💯

@distinguishedallureproduct879 27 күн бұрын

General Managers, period one of the greats

@alanchamberlain9902 27 күн бұрын

Hold on playa

@yourmomslvr5622 27 күн бұрын

1 on 1 with The Undertaker

@joegutierrez8151 24 күн бұрын

It was great at SmackDown, the general manager

@Questionsleepp 27 күн бұрын

The fact he got his in through James Brown is insane. Teddy Long is an OG

@FFTsteel 27 күн бұрын

Owwwwwwwwwwww☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾

@International_man_of_mystery 25 күн бұрын

He’s talented and does his job to the best!

@alessiolelle342 27 күн бұрын

Did you go one on one with THE UNDERTAKER!!

@GoodOlByule 27 күн бұрын

Chris got his ass whooped remember? I've just seen his grave yesterday...

@user-fe8gx3ie5v 27 күн бұрын

Da Undatayka*

@Charlie_lives 27 күн бұрын

I met Teddy at an Applebee’s when I used to work there in high school. And he called me playa several times and then right when he was leaving I asked if he could give me an autograph and I still have it to this day and he wrote Playa on the autograph as well.

@donjoncherrywon 27 күн бұрын

I've always loved Teddy, finding out he overcame heroin addiction made me respect him even more

@lavarwilliams4223 25 күн бұрын

Never knew that either

@kadharefinley224 27 күн бұрын

Teddy Long is in my opinion, The greatest General Manager of All Time. If you disagree you will go 1on1 with The Undertaker!

@AudioGAWD 27 күн бұрын

Or...a six man tag man 😂

@nlvassassin 22 күн бұрын

Indeed

@jesusrivera4567 19 күн бұрын

@@AudioGAWDhe use to love saying that shii 🤣💪🏻

@brood1316 11 күн бұрын

Gotta put commissioner Foley right behind him

@BrandonReckonedForce 27 күн бұрын

"First of all King Booker, this is NOT your kingdom!" "Aw man"

@AGoodGiggle 27 күн бұрын

Teddy speaking so candidly about being friends with James Brown is such a smooth move lol. This man is a legend. What an interview!

@jamill9290 27 күн бұрын

Teddy so damn country 😭🤣 17:24 “ we was trynna learn’em how to walk” love it man

@bolouniverse Күн бұрын

🤣🤣🤣🤣 I died when I heard that 🤣🤣 next thing you know he’s gonna say took it a loose

@NottyGurlStyle 27 күн бұрын

I always love how he came out of nowhere and told the wrestlers they having a match with the Undertaker 😂😂 their reactions always made me laugh 😂 Teddy is the absolute best!!

@tizatheamericannightmare 26 күн бұрын

omg this is so true 🤣🤣🤣

@presidentc4 26 күн бұрын

I could listen to Teddy talk for 10 hours. Reminds me of my grandfather

@nlvassassin 22 күн бұрын

Facts

@jesusrivera4567 19 күн бұрын

Maaaaan fr my grandpa used to dance and still the same way!🤣🙌🏻

@Altered-Beast 27 күн бұрын

Legit one of the best interviews. Teddy went Katt Williams on some people 😂

@lee-ur7nt 27 күн бұрын

It might have only happened once or twice. But one of my favorite moments ever. Anytime something was going on in the ring and you heard "let me Holla at ya playa" out of nowhere and Teddy would come out.

@thebigchuckles7738 27 күн бұрын

CVV has just been dishing out BANGER after BANGER after BANGER after BANGER after BANGER interviews. Keep up the great work my man!

@The.Original.Potatocakes 27 күн бұрын

Burger after burger

@ClaytonHouseholder-ou9lg 27 күн бұрын

Chris is Killin it

@cwalser544 26 күн бұрын

Lol I love the Burger 🍔 references

@tommychong316 22 күн бұрын

It feel like a new podcast

@johncena1094 27 күн бұрын

Nothing better than waking up to a Chris video with one of the best general managers in the industry, what a way to start the day

@TheJosephPrice 27 күн бұрын

I absolutely would’ve bought a Teddy Long WWE action figure. The fans have always loved him.

@azenar1894 27 күн бұрын

Listened to this on Spotify when it dropped. I didn't realize how much crap Teddy had to deal with, he's a badass

@TheBlackamura 27 күн бұрын

Finally, the greatest Smackdown GM of all time is being acknowledged

@chikowashere 26 күн бұрын

Man, Teddy really survived the toxic WWE era by just no selling everything.

@Wallym0h 25 күн бұрын

from junky to dj to referee to manager to gm to legend. amazing.

@TheEnzyme94 27 күн бұрын

His early referee work is always overlooked! He was great to watch.

@justafanofnerdculture7602 27 күн бұрын

I agree! He was always one of my favorite referees, especially during the Crockett years.

@brandoncastaneda3622 27 күн бұрын

My boy really said "we was tryna learn him how to walk"😂😂

@Mills87495 26 күн бұрын

That’s true old school 🤣💯

@damnitbobby536 20 күн бұрын

Respect

@nickswix6976 9 күн бұрын

Yea that's was old school as hell. Remind me of my uncle, RIP

@Luh_R34P3R 27 күн бұрын

Teddy was awesome in my opinion.

@johntarver5684 27 күн бұрын

I think WWE needs to have Nick Aldis take a few weeks "vacation" and have Teddy fill in for him. 😅

@aaronhurst4379 24 күн бұрын

I can not imagine how Teddy felt, having to work a Texas Death Match in his debut as a referee. What a unit, the man really could do it all. Awesome interview!

@slimefeeder2643 27 күн бұрын

😂😂😂 we need a Ruthless aggression era game with Teddy as GM of Smackdown 😂😂

@maxwelltruesdalejr855 27 күн бұрын

Go play smackdown vs raw 2006

@slimefeeder2643 26 күн бұрын

@@maxwelltruesdalejr855I've lived SvR 06 😂 but it's nice to bring legendary managers along in the evolution of games

@phantasmwolvez4095 27 күн бұрын

Him and Eric Bischoff as GMs during the ruthless aggression era was my childhood fr. Best time

@marissavanhelsing7309 27 күн бұрын

it was the perfect mix too with one brand having a mean evil heel gm and one having a good guy gm. It was super nicely balanced

@robertgrimsley7363 25 күн бұрын

@@marissavanhelsing7309 They're trying to do the same thing with Aldis & Pearce bit it's just not the same

@BigBrendJ 27 күн бұрын

What a great interviewer you are Chris, polite, respectful, kind, the questions you ask, broad, allow the interviewees to express themselves at length on that topic, on that story, and the way in which you ask them in the calm, relaxed tone of voice that uses almost always create a great atmosphere. Then the product in general is really good,production level is awesome with always perfect photography, the audio, if you can even go to their house, basically always in studios or in good locations at least. A hug from an Italian wrestling fan

@mikeriveradillard4280 27 күн бұрын

Dat boy Teddy Long will FOREVER be the OG of the WWE!

@sakshamsharma3527 27 күн бұрын

AND FOR NOT DOING THE TEDDY LONG DANCE PLAYA, YOU GO ONE ON ONE WITH DA UNDATAKAAAA!!

@rafaelmarquez8886 27 күн бұрын

If you didn’t grow up watching him then I feel BAAAAAD for you, Ted was the man 🕺 One of my favorite segments of him is Vickie was about to crown Dolph as the new world champion after firing Edge, he comes back re-hires Edge, Edge beats him, then comes back out saying “oh and there’s one more thing, Dolph….YOU’RE FIRED!!!” One of my best “YOU’RE FIRE” moments

@WaldoBagelTopper 27 күн бұрын

Teddy is a Triple OG. Glad to see him doing well.

@projektdarkside8757 10 күн бұрын

This has easily been one of the most enjoyable sits. I was hanging on every word and Chris seemed as enthralled as I was. Teddy has a way with speaking that really makes you want to listen.

@H0lland0ates79 27 күн бұрын

God I love this man’s honesty. One of the absolute best WWE personalities to ever do it. Him calling out Carrano for being a scumbag liar and Laurenitus for being a racist when nobody else has says a lot about this man’s integrity ❤

@julianstio 27 күн бұрын

He should have inducted the undertaker in the HOF since he started his career with Mean Mark... what a hell of a full circle moment

@distinguishedallureproduct879 27 күн бұрын

Wish Teddy was still over one of the brands. The guys voice is so smooth, and you can tell he has a demeanor to him

@darrenma9766 27 күн бұрын

16:43 I just found out why I have been calling people playa for years and forgot where I got it from lmao this interview is so goated chris thank you!

@drucexx 27 күн бұрын

Teddy been in the business so long he ain’t even unc no more, he’s great unc at this point 😂😂😂 great work as always Chris

@adamandersxn 27 күн бұрын

This is a really interesting interview!

@ChrisVanVliet 27 күн бұрын

Teddy has the best stories!

@TOOL_Lateralus 27 күн бұрын

Holla holla holla playa! 😂🕺🏾🤣 Love Teddy Long best Smackdown GM ever hahaha. Teddy needs to comeback & be Smackdown GM Teddy we need ya PLAYA!

@kennobu8181 27 күн бұрын

He's the SD GM on the peak of me and my brothers watching wrestling. I don't know every WWE GM, but from back then til know he'll be at the top of my head when we're talking about the GOAT General Manager.

@The.Original.Potatocakes 22 күн бұрын

Man this interview needs to be a few hours longer, Ted is an awesome storyteller.

@samvandam9117 27 күн бұрын

What a resume, work ethic and mind. Teddys name invokes so much nostalgia but also energy, he made every smack down feel like it was something special. Much love to Teddy Long !❤

@prez_housey 27 күн бұрын

James Brown needs to go in the Hall as far as I’m concerned. That’s wild!!

@CameronWilliams-gy8bw 27 күн бұрын

I’m from Birmingham Alabama in so is Teddy long himself in my Father grew up together …. My dad only great things to say abt Teddy !!! He’s definitely A Legend In WWE ……… 🫡🙌🏾☝🏾🔥💯

@brandondetroitfanmichaels4325 26 күн бұрын

I understood what you wrote but help us out a little bit next time lol

@julianokeke3466 27 күн бұрын

I didn’t know he spoke like this. He’s a real playa playa

@SuperDuperCool23 27 күн бұрын

What a great story teller & voice he is, I hope he puts out a autobiography on Audible

@nickswix6976 9 күн бұрын

Lol right it just wouldn't be the same unless he was doing the audio

@619Slipk 27 күн бұрын

Pretty sure you had a typo in the tittle Chris It's clearly Undertaka!

@MADGUNSMONSTER 26 күн бұрын

I see what you did there.

@tommybetti4037 27 күн бұрын

Thank you for the best interviews! It makes my hour drive to work feel like 15 minutes.

@claymathewselevator8121 26 күн бұрын

I love how he’s always Teddy Long it’s not a character

@sindizel 27 күн бұрын

This is one of my favorite interviews that you've done, CVV. I could listen to Teddy (and you) all day long 👍🏽. Thank you, gentlemen!

@erik3158 27 күн бұрын

I just want to give Teddy a big hug. He’s such a great person

@billwebber400 8 күн бұрын

Nothing but love for Teddy Long❤

@nickswix6976 9 күн бұрын

This guy is the definition of a story teller. His podcast is really good too. Has some of the best stories in the business. All i want out of life now is to see the backstage footage of Vince doing Teddys dance

@here_is_gerry 11 күн бұрын

That whole interview is so good and Teddy is such a cool guy. Thank you for that wholesome hour Chris!

@mikefitchNYC1971 27 күн бұрын

Teddy is so kool. I wish they would bring him back to Smackdown. You will always do such awesome interviews Chris!

@TrueNomadSkies 27 күн бұрын

We're finally getting another Teddy Long action figure from Mattel (last one was in 2012 as someone in the comments reminded me), and it's a build a figure thing again where you need to buy 4 or 5 different ones from a special set in order to get all the parts. I'd have bought his figure on sight if we saw it in stores. So would lots of wrestling fans.

@pri0r_t0_a_weekago...fukwi48 27 күн бұрын

As would I, and that’s amazing they’re giving him his action figure! He’s a legend period

@TrueNomadSkies 27 күн бұрын

@@pri0r_t0_a_weekago...fukwi48 I might track down whichever baf comes with his head and swap it onto a suited body figure. The best would be that pink suit one, but again Mattel made that a baf thing so I'll have to settle for another.

@shortinos 27 күн бұрын

Mattel did make a Teddy Long figure in 2012 which was also a build-a-figure. Jakks made a couple figures of him too.

@TrueNomadSkies 26 күн бұрын

@@shortinos You're right, I forgot about that older Mattel one. For some reason, I always thought that was a Jakks figure too probably because of the weirdly long suit jacket/short legs combo. I wonder how the royalties work for baf stuff.

@MikeyJae777 22 күн бұрын

I had a Teddy Long action figure as a kid lol.

@mushuansari 27 күн бұрын

Always adored Teddy. Seems like a sweetheart in real life too and a wise person as well. Always a good feeling when you realise that the people you like and admire on screen actually are good people behind the scenes as well.

@jarrickcastle1043 15 күн бұрын

We All Hu♏an.

@hotfunyunsop6196 27 күн бұрын

Will always be my favorite gm lol He was pretty much the face of smackdown, so many memories of "youll go 1v1..with the UNDERTAKAAA"

@Coolyourjetscris 26 күн бұрын

I’ve recently discovered you Chris Ang I’ve been hooked going back listening to interviews of wrestlers I have great memories of and now you got the man Teddy Long! Thank you for what you do🤘🏽

@VDRP Күн бұрын

Buckle up Teddy was one of the few wrestling lines I still remember seeing, Teddy is an amazing performer!!!

@chasincash8594 24 күн бұрын

Thank you, Chris! For doing this interview. This is the interview I needed.

@nicke22rocks57 27 күн бұрын

This man made my childhood special i'll be forever grateful for that

@JackMarston-lu1hq 25 күн бұрын

Yeah ok lol

@huntertompkins6642 26 күн бұрын

What a humble, genuine person he is. I respect him so much and I love this interview!

@jonjohnson1978. 27 күн бұрын

Fantastic interview as always. 👊

@brandongreene3213 27 күн бұрын

Hola holla holla! This man is a national treasure. His laugh is awesome

@Megatallica000 27 күн бұрын

Great interview. Teddy long just keeping real like nobody else. Keep up the work Chris. We need solid straight forward channels like yours. No gotcha moments or trying to catch a viral clip. Genuinely good dude. 😎

@tamarperrilliat4292 12 күн бұрын

Never watched a full interview on this podcast but I got time today for Teddy

@Tessou 24 күн бұрын

Greatest face GM of all time. He kept the heels in check and fed troublemakers to the final boss in Big Show or Undertaker when they needed to be taught a lesson. His “land of opportunity” angle was a fantastic way to elevate younger talent.

@freelyfast5506 26 күн бұрын

Teddy Long is just a National Treasure!! His Story, His journey, and everything this was probably one of my favorite interviews Thank you! Chris Van Vilet

@odinquincannon4237 17 сағат бұрын

I recently watched an OLD NWA show and the young, uncomfortable looking skinny ref was familiar and then I realized it was Teddy Long. He really looked like it was his third match and they hadn’t even gotten a proper ref shirt for him yet. This interview paints such great picture of what was going on around and behind that scene.

@Nitemerican 27 күн бұрын

That "then what happened" was saucy Chris 😂

@carbon6587 27 күн бұрын

One of your best interviews. Totally loved it. Thanks.

@dquanissavage6287 27 күн бұрын

Chris And Teddy Such A Awesome Interview Today!!🔥🐐🐐💎

@stayfresh2468 27 күн бұрын

Great interview I wish you guys had more time

@joevales6775 10 күн бұрын

"It ain't real!" ECIII could learn a lot from Teddy Long. What a refreshing interview. Thanks CVV!

@bubepube7792 25 күн бұрын

What a surprisingly wonderful awesome interview. This is one of my favorites never would’ve guessed.

@antho22wateva 26 күн бұрын

Really enjoying these videos. Chris can interview anyone and get the best out of them 👍

@howardouchi4284 27 күн бұрын

Thank you for this, Chris! Teddy's always has been one of favorites. Just got done watching this while I'm at dialysis, and I am laughing my ass off! You and Teddy both blessed my day!

@alanchamberlain9902 27 күн бұрын

Loved Teddy's music and dancing, now playa great GM.

@TheThird1977 27 күн бұрын

This interview was amazingly good. There are those who are just fantastic storytellers and Teddy Long is one of them.

@sarahhapka3647 5 күн бұрын

I would absolutely LOVE to hear Teddy Long do narrations or listen to him read books. I could listen to him talk and tell stories all day!

@droopdoggbaby 27 күн бұрын

This is one of my faves! Thanks Chris and Teddy

@setokaiba5364 27 күн бұрын

It's About Time That You Got Teddy Long!

@Spirit-Wolf74 27 күн бұрын

I can literally listen to teddy’s stories all day long, such a wealth of knowledge and information

@NationalSportsEntertainmentNSE 26 күн бұрын

Was really hoping we talked about his best work ever. The white boy challenge. The Deluxe Double Special White Boy Challenge was my personal favorite.

@vincentebaez2574 26 күн бұрын

This was a first class interview with Teddy. I have watched him for years. From being a referee, to managing "Doom" and "The Skyscrapers." It's great to see how far he's come in the business. 👍

@benp4339 27 күн бұрын

The Undertaker's Teddy booking invoice gotta be 10 pages long. Buckle up for those receipts 🧸

@aaronofra 27 күн бұрын

I learnt so much about Teddy in this interview, Chris never disappoints but this was something special.

@RCalicchio1st 2 күн бұрын

These interviews are great! Keep up the good work Chris.

@denzellcoleman925 27 күн бұрын

Thank you for sharing because I’m glad this came across my timeline

@AintFredoYou 27 күн бұрын

To this day I want Teddy to still be the gm of Smackdown. It felt so right when he was gm.

@FFTsteel 27 күн бұрын

Teddy Long is a legend. Casually admitted he done Heroin. Love the honesty. My Dad is a big fan of James Brown in his 70's - gonna show him this video.