Teddy Long is denying reports that he is set to return as the General Manager of WWE SmackDown.
Someone on Facebook made up a rumor that Long was expected to replace Nick Aldis as SmackDown’s on-screen authority figure, with Aldis stepping away from the role to focus on reviving his in-ring career. The claim made on Facebook was that Long’s return was connected to SmackDown’s return to a two-hour format in June. Long addressed the story directly on the Road Trip After Hours podcast, hosted by Mac Davis.
“WWE has not contacted me,” Long said. “Call me for anything. I know it ain’t gonna happen. That ain’t gonna happen. They ain’t calling me. I guarantee you.”
Long made clear that even if the opportunity were presented, his life has settled into a pace he has no interest in disrupting. He noted he is already booked for signings at SummerSlam in Minneapolis and that he prefers appearances he can fly in and out of without a long-term road commitment.
“I sleep in my own bed almost every night. I love doing that. I love going out doing the signings, like Vegas. I was in Vegas for WrestleCon. I’ll be in Minneapolis for SummerSlam. I just enjoy doing those, man, and getting on the plane going back home.”
He was equally direct about knowing where he stands in his career. “I’m not one of these guys that don’t know when to take the cape off. So I know when to take the cape off. I had a great run, thanks to God and Vince McMahon. So I ain’t bitter about a thing.”
Long previously served as SmackDown General Manager for nearly eight years, becoming one of the most recognized authority figures in WWE history before being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
For more from Teddy Long and host Matt Davis, Road Trip After Hours airs Thursday nights on YouTube.
