John Laurinaitis was released from WWE in 2022 amid the fallout from Vince McMahon’s scandal. Initially named as a defendant in Janel Grant’s lawsuit, Laurinaitis was later removed from the case after agreeing to support McMahon and her legal team against WWE.
During a podcast road trip an hour later, WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long spoke about updates in the lawsuits involving Laurinaitis and Grant. Long expressed anger over Laurinaitis turning against McMahon, emphasizing that Laurinaitis owes much of his success to Vince.
“He turned on the guy who made him someone. He didn’t achieve anything until he started working for Vince,” Long stated.
Long further accused Laurinaitis of abusing the power he held as head of talent relations, a position he misused. Long even revealed he was personally mistreated by Laurinaitis, though he did not provide specific details.
When it was suggested Laurinaitis had a contract protecting himself, Long dismissed this as delusional. Despite not facing legal penalties, Laurinaitis is burdened with the weight of his actions for life.
In 2022, Long and Laurinaitis clashed on-screen as WWE general managers vying for control of different brands. Though they haven’t worked together in years, Long’s opinion of Laurinaitis remains clear and critical.
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Fan Take: This story highlights the complicated dynamics behind WWE’s leadership and the lasting impact of internal scandals on the sport’s culture. For fans, understanding these conflicts adds a layer of real-world drama that shapes the future of WWE’s management and storytelling.
