Former WWE General Manager Teddy Long Criticizes Lack of Selling and Finishers in Modern Wrestling
Charlotte, NC – Veteran wrestling personality Teddy Long sharply critiqued the current state of WWE in a recent appearance on the “Road Trip After Hours” podcast, specifically focusing on what he perceives as a decline in in-ring storytelling thru selling and the diminishing impact of finishing moves. long, known for his decades-long career with the company including a prominent run as SmackDown General Manager, expressed concern that the modern product isn’t allowing fans adequate time to process action.
“I think a lot of times,they do so much stuff,it’s hard for the fans to digest and kind of see what’s going on,” long stated.
he further elaborated on a core issue: the lack of believable reactions to offence, commonly known as “selling.” “I see a lot happening with the selling. Lot of guys ain’t selling nothing, man. I mean, it’s Jesus Christ,” he said. Co-host Mac Davis echoed this sentiment, pointing out the frequent kicking out of signature and finishing maneuvers. “I still am saying, name me one finisher that somebody has not kicked out of,” davis added. long agreed, lamenting the lost art of building anticipation towards a match-ending move. “You made the people wait on it… and you had that signal right there. When it was time for it, you gave it, and the people knew it, and they all right, hear it comes.”
To address the perceived problem, long proposed a drastic, old-school solution: assigning a seasoned veteran to immediately critique performers backstage. “What I think really needs to happen now… I think they need to designate one guy, just one guy to watch every match, and one… veteran guy, a guy that knows what he’s doing and what he’s talking about,” Long explained. He envisioned this individual providing immediate, direct feedback – even physical correction – to wrestlers who fail to sell effectively. “And each match he watches, and he’s like, when a guy don’t sell, he calls him to get on him right then, just as soon as he comes back through that curtain, you get on his ass right there… you’re not letting them know the importance of selling. That’s what’s gonna draw your money. Okay? So I designate one guy,and he has to be a badass,so let the guy know,hey,this ain’t how it goes. This is f**king how it goes. and maybe you might punch him. Yeah, you know what I mean. Did you feel that? okay, you know, give him a working punch.”
Davis reinforced Long’s point, stating, “I want to see content because I want to believe what they are telling me in the ring.”
The full interview is available on the “Road Trip After Hours” podcast via platforms like YouTube and Spotify.
