10 Times Vince McMahon Berated People Backstage
7. Teddy Long For Mentioning Randy Orton's Old Nickname
Throughout his time at the helm of WWE, Vince McMahon had a strict policy for what the talent was allowed to say in the ring. Apart from banning certain words, he was also strict on nicknames. Remember when Michael Cole used to yell "The Big Dog" or "It's Boss Time" every time Roman Reigns and Sasha Banks made their entrances? While he made sure to sell the nicknames, Vince was adamant in making people forget the old ones when wrestlers got new nicknames.
Randy Orton made a name for himself early in his career as "The Legend Killer." But when he embraced a more vile character and turned into "The Viper," McMahon naturally didn't want anyone to call Orton by his former nickname. However, former SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long messed up and received a verbal bashing from the boss.
While talking to The Undertaker on his Six Feet Under With Mark Calaway podcast, Teddy Long recalled when he introduced Randy Orton as "The Legend Killer" during a dark match at Orton's hometown of St. Louis. Despite the positive crowd reaction, Teddy Long ran into an irate Vince McMahon backstage, who chewed him out for bringing up Orton's old nickname. Long revealed that he admitted to McMahon that he was playing around and apologized, assuring that it would not happen again.