Former WWE SmackDown Writer Back in Charge: What Does This Mean?
WWE is bringing back WWE legend Brian "Road Dogg" James as the co-lead writer for SmackDown, and fans have mixed feelings about it. While he played a key role in making SmackDown must-watch TV in 2016, his later years in charge saw the show lose its spark. Now that he's back, the big question is, “Can he turn things around?” Right before Road Dogg was co-leading SmackDown’s creative team in 2016, the show was on fire. Great storylines, exciting matches, and fresh talent made it a standout. This lasted until 2017 and onwards. During the period between 2017 and 2019, the show became inconsistent, and fans started tuning out.
However, with WWE undergoing major changes behind the scenes, there's reason to be hopeful. The current roster is stacked, and if Road Dogg can focus on long-term storytelling, SmackDown might return to its original level of entertainment. As long as there is less filler included and more compelling stories, we will be in for a great change. With the addition of Road Dogg, WWE's storylines really need to start focusing on a specific audience if they want to bring back some of the magic. Right now, the lack of a clear target audience is making the shows feel all over the place, which is part of why the quality has been slipping. If WWE started catering more to one group, whether it's die-hard fans, casual viewers, or younger crowds, they could make their stories feel more meaningful and engaging. It’d be a great way to boost the excitement and get people invested again.
Road Dogg will have to work closely with WWE’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent to create fresh stories that keep fans engaged. Guys like L.A. Knight, Carmelo Hayes, and Damian Priest have built strong followings, so their momentum mustn’t get thrown off by bad creative decisions. At the end of the day, the fans will decide if Road Dogg’s return is a win. However, if he can find the right balance between nostalgia and fresh ideas, his second run as SmackDown’s co-lead writer could kick off an exciting new era for WWE.
