As previously reported, WWE Hall of Famer Road Dogg (also known as Brian James) has left the company and his position as co-lead of creative for Friday Night SmackDown. His decision to depart was said to be voluntary.
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, James' departure followed his annual performance review, which reportedly influenced his decision to move on. Meltzer noted that a source close to the situation indicated there had been tension brewing behind the scenes, and WWE has not issued a formal statement regarding the circumstances of his exit.
Meltzer also mentioned that those familiar with the situation believe James chose to step away because he was dissatisfied with the review. While he may later claim he left for other reasons, “only he would know exactly why he did so.” Ultimately, it was his decision to leave. Another detail surrounding the departure is that James had been approved by WWE to appear at a convention later this month, but that approval was subsequently withdrawn. This suggests that his departure likely stemmed from the annual review discussion.
James has long been associated with WWE, both in-ring and backstage. He gained mainstream recognition as part of D-Generation X during the Attitude Era. After his active wrestling career slowed down, he transitioned into a behind-the-scenes role, eventually working within WWE's creative team.
As the head writer, James contributed significantly to the direction of SmackDown programming and storyline development. His experiences from earlier eras of wrestling often influenced discussions within the writers' room. Currently, there are no confirmed details regarding his next steps in professional wrestling or any other ventures.
