WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long has called out WWE’s escalating ticket prices under the TKO Group Holdings banner, labeling the strategy “greed” and warning that it may price out everyday fans.
Speaking on the latest episode of his Road Trip After Hours podcast, Long addressed a fan-submitted question about how difficult it has become for parents to afford WWE shows for their kids.
“Well, you know, here’s what I think about that. You know, it’s kind of called greed,” Long responded bluntly. “And when you get greedy, sometimes that causes your problem.”
Long highlighted the financial pressures facing working-class families in the current economy.
“Right now, you know, you’re living in this world. The economy is really not in a whole lot of good shape… a lot of people out of work out there, so they can’t afford to buy those tickets.”
The former SmackDown General Manager even shared a personal story to illustrate rising costs.
“I went in Walmart today, and I just got a few things, and I got this $200 [bill]. You know. And I’m like, Jesus Christ… what can you do? You have to have these things. I just thank God I had the money to pay for them. But there’s some people are not going to be that lucky.”
Podcast co-host Mac Davis echoed the sentiment, drawing a distinction between the current TKO-led WWE and the Vince McMahon era.
“I never saw Vince McMahon, or never felt like he was trying to get every penny out of somebody’s pocket. And I feel like that’s what WWE is right now. I feel like they’re trying to suck every single penny they can out of your pocket without care as to what it may do to you or your family.”
While both acknowledged that fans still turned out in droves for premium events like WrestleMania, Long warned that the current approach risks pushing loyal fans away over time.
Stay locked to PWMania.com for more reactions and updates on WWE’s evolving fan experience under TKO.
(h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription)
