Brian Road Dogg James is back in a major creative role for WWE SmackDown, but if you ask him, hes not entirely sure what his job actually is.
After reports confirmed that James is now one of the lead writers for SmackDown, he sat down with Chris Van Vliet on Insight and gave his own take on the situation.
I have no idea. I could care less, to tell you the truth [laughs]. No, so really, Im still in charge of creative of live events, but we have scaled live events back domestically, especially this coming year, James admitted. While WWEs touring schedule has shifted, his influence on the creative process has expanded, especially with SmackDowns complex storytelling heading into WrestleMania 41.
James has been around WWEs creative system for years, previously serving as SmackDowns co-lead writer from 2016 to 2019 before stepping away due to creative frustrations. Now, under Paul Triple H Levesques leadership, hes back with more freedom than ever. Its such a different environment. Old regime had a problem with stifling creativity New regime is like Google. We dont, really, have ping pong tables in the production meeting room, but its creative, he opens the floor, nobody gets shut down. Its free-range creativity and its incredible.
His role involves more than just writinghe helps with rehearsals, sits in on production meetings, and provides input when needed. Ill help with rehearsals. Well go through the production meeting. Ill pipe up if I have to. He handles everything. He has the production meeting and its basically to tell you, Here is what were going to do. Do you guys have any better ideas? James emphasized that WWEs producers are playing a key role in shaping the show, calling them the best group hes ever seen.
With SmackDown packed with top-tier storylines and WrestleMania season in full swing, James has a big job ahead of himeven if hes joking about what exactly that entails.
How would you say WWE Smack Down is doing as of late in terms of storylines and creating compelling TV? Do you think it still needs a lot of improvement? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
