On a recent episode of his Road Trip After Hours podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long participated in a candid “Name Association” segment, offering heartfelt and unfiltered reflections on some of wrestling’s most iconic and controversial figures.
Al Snow
Kicking things off, Long smiled as he remembered Al Snow, who became known for his eccentric “Head” gimmick and backstage training work. Long revealed a quirky backstage story from his early WWF days. “Al Snow, great guy… He started calling me ‘Bubbles.’ I don’t know why,” Long recalled, laughing. “I saw him at a signing not long ago, and I walked right up and said, ‘Bubbles,’ you know. He gave me that name.”
Chris Benoit
When the name Chris Benoit came up, Long shifted to a more somber tone, sharing memories of Benoit as a generous and quiet professional. “Oh God man, what a great guy. God rest his soul,” Long said. “We were in Milwaukee… me, Benoit, and Nancy Sullivan. I was driving back from Green Bay, and it took us almost 12 hours for a 150-mile trip. Chris was just… he’d give you the shirt off his back.”
Long refrained from commenting on the tragic end of Benoit’s life, choosing instead to speak only from personal experience. “That never appeared to be nothing like that. I just… I don’t want to speak on it because I don’t have a clue.”
Drew McIntyre
Long also recalled working with a young Drew McIntyre during his “Chosen One” storyline, where Long was forced to obey McIntyre on-screen. “Great guy, man. Vince McMahon put me and him in a storyline… he made me bow down on my knees and talk about my grandkids,” Long said. “That broke me. I gave 100% to anything Vince put me in.”
The Fabulous Moolah & Mae Young
Long lit up when discussing legends The Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young, calling them two of the most genuinely entertaining people backstage. “Every time they’d come to TV, I’d run straight to them,” Long said. “They was always entertaining. Made you feel welcome, man.”
Jim Cornette
“He spoke up for me one time when something was wrong…”
Teddy Long praised Jim Cornette for being outspoken and unapologetically honest, noting that Cornette once stood up for him when it mattered most. “He’s going to tell you exactly how it is… He spoke up for me one time when something was wrong, and I’ll never forget that. So thank you, Jimmy.”
“Mean” Gene Okerlund & Bobby Heenan
In a brief but impactful story, Long remembered a moment with legendary announcers “Mean” Gene Okerlund and Bobby “The Brain” Heenan during his WCW tenure. “They stopped me and started talking… Bobby said, ‘If Vince McMahon knew what you were doing down here, he’d blow you up,’” Long shared. “I didn’t think much of it at the time… but I never forgot those words.”
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for more highlights from Teddy Long and other wrestling legends as they share their untold stories from behind the curtain.
