10 Things You Didn't Know About Teddy Long
6. Weight Loss
Before making his 1999 return to wrestling in the zebra stripes, Long would spend a final WCW managerial stint working alongside perennial losers such as Ice Train, Jim Powers and Craig Pittman.
During this re-emergence on television, it was hard not to notice the bulk Long had added to his relatively slight frame, with his weighty appearance giving the impression of a wrestling relic, particularly during the organisation's white hot period at the time that saw the nWo run roughshod over opponents on screen, and WCW dominate the wrestling universe off-screen.
Furthermore, Long was rarely allowed to speak on behalf of his charges, who were normally relegated to jobber duty to the real stars anyway.
This disparity was only more apparent when Long was briefly tasked with managing white meat babyface Chris Jericho during his lethargic battle with heel referee Nick Patrick.
As a package, Teddy appeared completely disassociated from the product of the time, and it was unsurprising that he was gone from the company before the end of the year.
His weight loss and return to form on the microphone in the early-2000s remains a credit to his effort and commitment whilst working for Vince McMahon, especially considering the greater physical toll the unending WWE schedule takes on performers.