Teddy Long On If He Agrees With Ryback's Recent Comments About WWE, If WWE Has Competition, More
NBC Sports Radio On Demand PW 24/7 interviewed former WWE Smackdown General Manager, referee and manager Teddy Long. Nick Anthony and The Boobs spent 40 mins with Teddy discussing Ryback, Chyna, TNA and other stories from his wrestling career. You can listen to the full interview by clicking here, they sent us these highlights:
What makes the WWE the pinnacle of the Industry, is it just the mainstream aspect or is it something else?
"I agree it's the mainstream aspect and two what really makes it the brand, there isn't any competition. There really is no one else around. You got, basically one organization, that's running TNA, and I certainly wouldn't say they are competition to WWE."
Ryback said he finally feels free from the WWE after leaving Monday Night RAW [last week] when he and McMahon couldn't agree on a new contract. And this isn't the first time we've heard Wrestlers use the term free or relieved when it comes to working for the WWE. Did you feel the same way when you were let go?
"I didn't feel so much as though I was free, they didn't have me as a slave. But I was happy to be away from the wrestling business for awhile. But I can understand what Ryback is coming from."
Ryback also believes there is a pay inequality regardless of heel or face, or rather winner or loser because it's all predetermined. What do you think about that?
"There's certain guys that receive a certain amount of pay and certain guys another amount, it determines where you are on the card. Sometimes you feel like you're put into a position where you're at the top of the card, or even midcard. And then you go to one of these big pay per views. And you expect to get more and you don't get that, it kind of makes you feel, especially after you bust your butt, like you're not appreciated... I kind of agree with him (Ryback) too. I've seen that happen to a lot of guys. Even myself, I've worked shows, like Wrestlemania and thought I was in a good spot for a good payday and then it didn't happen, it came to be something else."