While the on - screen door performer are inherent toWWEprogramming , the originative forces backstage have the immense responsibility to craft engaging stories for their characters . After story began pass on over the weekend that one WWE legend had transitioned into a backstage originative role , outspoken lover made their skepticism known on social media .

However , after the rebound emerge online regarding report of a Modern yet familiar co - head author being named to WWESmackDown , one former WWE champion clap back to remind fans that thing are very different now in the company than underthe Vince McMahon regime .

New Co-Head Writer at SmackDown Is Another Former DX Member

Brian James Has Been Lead Writer on SmackDown Before

With Paul ‘ Triple H ’ Levesque in commission of overseeing all creative as Chief Content Officer and Shawn Michaels leading up originative 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 is n’t of necessity a Modern one - rather resuming a spatial relation he has antecedently guard .

WWE legend The Undertaker has just revealed the literal understanding behind his most unsatisfying WrestleMania match .

James ’ last footrace in WWE originative was certainly under a different regime -writing for thenotoriously persnickety Vince McMahon . James reportedly give up from his position as Head Writer on WWESmackDownafter WrestleMania 35 in 2019 but stay with the company for several more years , instruct grapheme development and promos at the Performance Center . James would go on to later be released from WWE in January 2022 . However , when Triple H pack over creativethat summer , James was re - rent in August 2022 .

WWE star The Undertaker scowling at the camera.

After Fan Criticism, AJ Styles Chimed In

Styles Reminded Fans Of Vince McMahon’s Previous Grip Over Creative

After criticism from sports fan who did not have happy memories aboutSmackDownwhen James was Head Writer erupted on social media , one former WWE Championtook to Xto occur to the defense team of James . Reminding fans thatthe previous creative regimen was very differentfrom today ’s backstage environment , Styles challenged fan to contain on to their strong ruling for the meter being .

While panache did n’t specifically name Vince McMahon , the reference point is quite unclouded . Under the premature creative regimen in WWE it was not unusual for report to emerge often aboutlast minute re - writesoccurring on the twenty-four hour period of the tape recording , all the way up until the hot show went on the air . However , since the departure of Vince McMahon , there have n’t been the same news report ofbackstage topsy-turvydom , suggesting that there really has been a change from a creative planning point of view .

It ’s easy to arrogate that James resigned in 2019 because he could n’t stomach McMahon ’s ceaseless originative interference . Now , with his longtime friend Triple H in tutelage , it will be interesting to see what an unchainedRoad Doggwill bring to the table forSmackDown . Despite making his reinforcement know for the newSmackDownwriter , AJ Stylesis presently draft to WWE Raw . After have his return in the 2025 Royal Rumble match , Styles continues to be without a feud heading intoWrestleMania 41 .

Jeff Cobb joins the Bloodline with Solo Sikoa at WWE Backlash 2025

Source : PWInsider

Jey Uso with the World Heavyweight Championship on WWE Raw

Road Dogg and AJ Styles