Teddy Long's birthday celebrations take an unexpected turn when his sweet tooth gets exposed during our live broadcast. Between bites of red velvet cake and memories of banana pudding, the WWE Hall of Famer can't hide his dessert addiction despite his protests about hitting the gym each morning. The moment provides a perfect dose of the genuine friendship and playful ribbing that defines our show.

The conversation shifts to WWE's groundbreaking announcement about WrestleMania heading to Saudi Arabia in 2027. This marks the first time wrestling's premier event will leave American soil, raising serious questions about the future of the industry. Teddy provides valuable insider perspective on WWE's global expansion strategy while acknowledging the potential downside for domestic fans. We explore how skyrocketing ticket prices have already created barriers for middle-class families, with one listener sharing how a WrestleMania weekend package that once cost under $5,000 for four people would be unattainable today.

Our listener mailbag delivers thoughtful questions about wrestling cities, creative direction, and fan behavior. Teddy's response about his favorite destinations leads to the night's most hilarious moment – his insistence that a Corpus Christi restaurant would catch fish to order moments after customers selected them from a menu. Between fits of laughter, we manage to discuss whether AEW might capitalize on WrestleMania's absence from America, if Vince McMahon might return to the wrestling business, and whether today's wrestling fans have become too critical.

The episode captures everything that makes Road Trip After Hours special: insider wrestling knowledge, genuine friendship, listener engagement, and unexpected stories that could only come from someone who's lived the extraordinary life of Teddy Long. Join us next week as we continue navigating the fascinating world of professional wrestling through the eyes of those who helped shape it.

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