While the on-screen performers are integral toWWEprogramming, the creative forces backstage have the immense responsibility to craft engaging stories for their characters. After reports began circulating over the weekend that one WWE legend had transitioned into a backstage creative role, vocal fans made their skepticism known on social media.
However, after the backlash emerged online regarding reports of a new yet familiar co-head writer being named to WWESmackDown, one former WWE champion clapped back to remind fans that things are very different now in the company than underthe Vince McMahon regime.
With Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque in charge of overseeing all creative as Chief Content Officer and Shawn Michaels leading up creative inNXT- another former DX memberis poised to make his mark on a specific brand.PWInsiderreported thatRoad Dogg Jesse James(real name Brian James) has taken on the role of co-head writer for WWESmackDown. However, the job isn’t necessarily a new one - rather resuming a position he has previously held.
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James’ last run in WWE creative was certainly under a different regime -writing for thenotoriously persnickety Vince McMahon. James reportedly resigned from his position as Head Writer on WWESmackDownafter WrestleMania 35 in 2019 but remained with the company for several more years, teaching character development and promos at the Performance Center. James would go on to later be released from WWE in January 2022. However,when Triple H took over creativethat summer, James was re-hired in August 2022.
After Fan Criticism, AJ Styles Chimed In
Styles Reminded Fans Of Vince McMahon’s Previous Grip Over Creative
After criticism from fans who did not have happy memories aboutSmackDownwhen James was Head Writer erupted on social media, one former WWE Championtook to Xto come to the defense of James. Reminding fans thatthe previous creative regime was very differentfrom today’s backstage environment, Styles challenged fans to hold on to their strong opinions for the time being.
While Styles didn’t specifically name Vince McMahon, the reference is quite clear. Under the previous creative regime in WWE it was not unusual for reports to emerge often aboutlast minute re-writesoccurring on the day of the taping, all the way up until the live show went on the air. However, since the departure of Vince McMahon, there haven’t been the same reports ofbackstage chaos, suggesting that there really has been a change from a creative planning standpoint.
It’s easy to assume that James resigned in 2019 because he couldn’t stomach McMahon’s constant creative interference. Now, with his longtime friend Triple H in charge, it will be interesting to see what an unchainedRoad Doggwill bring to the table forSmackDown. Despite making his support known for the newSmackDownwriter,AJ Stylesis currently drafted to WWE Raw. After making his return in the 2025 Royal Rumble match, Styles continues to be without a feud heading intoWrestleMania 41.
