WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long recently delivered a pointed critique of today’s WWE product on his podcast, Road Trip After Hours, highlighting what he perceives as key deficiencies holding back the current era of professional wrestling. Long’s observations focused primarily on storytelling inconsistencies, a widespread lack of selling in the ring, and an in-ring offense that often stretches believability. His candid remarks have sparked conversations among fans and insiders alike about the state of WWE’s programming and what it needs to recapture the magic of past eras.
The Missing Element: Consistent and Engaging Storylines
One of Teddy Long’s central complaints was the lack of coherent storytelling in WWE’s weekly shows. He explained that modern WWE frequently suffers from storylines that start strong but quickly lose momentum, often abandoned or abruptly changed without satisfying payoffs.
“In the old days, storylines had a clear beginning, middle, and end,” Long stated. “You built anticipation through weeks or months, and the fans were all in because they understood where the story was going. Nowadays, it feels like they throw storylines against the wall and see what sticks, with no clear plan.”
This inconsistency, Long argued, hurts not only character development but also the emotional investment of the audience. “If the story doesn’t make sense or disappear halfway through, why should anyone care about the matches?” he added.
The Epidemic of Poor Selling in the Ring
Perhaps the most pointed part of Long’s critique was his direct callout of current WWE talent’s in-ring selling—or rather, the lack thereof.
“Lot of guys ain’t selling nothing,” Long bluntly remarked. Selling, the act of visibly reacting to an opponent’s moves and selling pain or damage, is a critical component of storytelling inside the ring. It helps create drama and make moves feel impactful.
Long clarified that poor selling not only diminishes the realism but also devalues the physicality of the match. “When a guy takes a big move and just stands there like he’s fine, it kills the excitement. Fans want to see the struggle, the fight, the aftermath.”
Unbelievable Offense and How to Fix It
Long also criticized the current tendency toward flashier but less believable offense. High-flying moves and acrobatics alone do not make a match compelling if they lack context or believability.
He suggested a return to fundamentals, specifically mentioning the value of simple but effective offense combined with realistic selling. “Sometimes, less is more. A good hard punch or a solid suplex—sold correctly—can tell a better story than ten crazy spots.”
One backstage source close to WWE’s creative team shared that Long’s views are echoed quietly among some veteran wrestlers and former performers: “Teddy’s bringing up points that a lot of old-school guys have been saying for years—WWE needs to respect the craft enough to tell proper stories and make every move count.”
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
Despite his critiques, Long remains hopeful for WWE’s future. He praised certain performers like Jade Cargill and Gunther, naming them as standout wrestlers who bring charisma and ring presence to the current roster.
“Wrestling evolves, and it has to,” Long acknowledged. “But there are things that never go out of style—strong storytelling, believable matches, and putting on a show that respects the audience’s intelligence.”
Industry insiders suggest WWE is aware of these concerns and is exploring ways to blend modern high-energy wrestling styles with classic storytelling techniques. Sources close to the company indicate ongoing discussions about talent development focusing more on psychology and selling, alongside athleticism.
What This Means for WWE Fans
For WWE fans who have grown frustrated with what some perceive as chaotic booking and sterile matches, Teddy Long’s remarks provide validation and a hopeful direction. His call for more consistent storytelling and better in-ring selling reflects a desire to return to the core principles that built WWE’s global appeal.
Whether WWE will act decisively on these critiques remains to be seen, but Long’s stature as a respected Hall of Famer gives his words added weight. As one WWE insider told us, “When someone like Teddy Long speaks on the product, people listen—he’s seen it all and knows what it takes.”
As WWE heads into the next chapter of its programming, the challenge will be balancing innovation with the timeless elements of wrestling’s art—something Teddy Long’s podcast comments underscore as crucial for success.