[13 / 1 / 1]
Quoted By: >>19662490 >>19662539 >>19663902 >>19664642
>WOR: Dave Meltzer revealed that Ryan Ward is gaining more creative control behind the scenes, especially on SmackDown, as WWE settles into its new three-hour format on the USA Network.
>“It’s minor, but it’s a shift worth noting. Ryan Ward’s been getting more influence backstage—he’s being leaned on a bit more for formatting and structure. Road Dogg is still very much involved, but the dynamic has changed slightly. It’s not dramatic, but it’s there.” — Dave Meltzer
>Ward, known for his strong creative work during the peak years of NXT, has become a trusted voice in the room — particularly when it comes to structuring and formatting weekly TV. That format-first mindset seems to be exactly what WWE wants right now as they juggle new broadcast deals, an expanded SmackDown schedule, and long-term storytelling goals.
>Meanwhile, Brian “Road Dogg” James — who previously had a much tighter grip on SmackDown’s creative — is still involved, but not driving the flow of the show the way he once was.
>Meltzer made it clear this isn’t a formal demotion or power struggle. No official titles have changed. But sources have noticed the “slow evolution” playing out — with Levesque favoring writers like Ward who focus on long-term structure over last-minute rewrites and punchline-heavy booking.
>“It’s minor, but it’s a shift worth noting. Ryan Ward’s been getting more influence backstage—he’s being leaned on a bit more for formatting and structure. Road Dogg is still very much involved, but the dynamic has changed slightly. It’s not dramatic, but it’s there.” — Dave Meltzer
>Ward, known for his strong creative work during the peak years of NXT, has become a trusted voice in the room — particularly when it comes to structuring and formatting weekly TV. That format-first mindset seems to be exactly what WWE wants right now as they juggle new broadcast deals, an expanded SmackDown schedule, and long-term storytelling goals.
>Meanwhile, Brian “Road Dogg” James — who previously had a much tighter grip on SmackDown’s creative — is still involved, but not driving the flow of the show the way he once was.
>Meltzer made it clear this isn’t a formal demotion or power struggle. No official titles have changed. But sources have noticed the “slow evolution” playing out — with Levesque favoring writers like Ward who focus on long-term structure over last-minute rewrites and punchline-heavy booking.
