10 Things You Didn't Know About Teddy Long
1. Longest Reigning Non-McMahon Authority Figure
Despite many of the trials he encountered as a roaming authority figure locked in WWE's complex authoritative hierarchy, Teddy can hold his head high as the most resilient to ever take on the role.
Anointed Smackdown General Manager in July 2004, Long would manage to remain in on-screen positions of power for a whopping eight years, far outlasting the likes of Eric Bischoff, Mick Foley, William Regal, and others that have suffered the role ruling from underneath the McMahon thumb.
Gaining infamy for his love of tag team solutions to paired roster squabbles, Long became a genuine favourite amongst the remaining fans of Smackdown during a challenging time for the brand that saw all major talent, storylines and company attention migrate to Raw.
Despite repeated storylines in which he'd have his power reduced or out-and-out stripped, Long played the game and clung on, often suffering untold abuse and worst of all, accepting a brief demotion to WWE's steeply declining ECW brand.
Going out on top too, Long lost his power once and for all quite fittingly in a tag match, as a team assembled by John Laurinaitis defeated his own group of 'Playas' to hand 'Big Johnny' total control at WrestleMania 28.