Brian 'Road Dogg' James has left his role as co-lead writer for WWE SmackDown, marking a significant shift in the company's creative department. The departure comes amid reports of internal restructuring as WrestleMania 42 approaches. Alexandra Williams has been promoted to vice president and lead writer for Monday Night Raw.
Brian 'Road Dogg' James, a WWE Hall of Famer inducted as part of D-Generation X in 2019, has departed the company after serving as co-lead writer for Friday Night SmackDown since early 2025. Reports from Bodyslam.net and PWInsider indicate that James, who joined WWE's creative team in 2014 except for a seven-month absence in 2022, decided to leave voluntarily, though no specific reason was provided. He had previously worked as a producer, coach, and senior vice president of live events after returning in August 2022 following a January release.
James' tenure drew criticism from fans over SmackDown storylines, though former wrestler AJ Styles publicly defended his appointment last year, urging fans to give him a chance. He was featured in season two of WWE Unreal on Netflix, showcasing his pitches for wrestlers like R-Truth and Chelsea Green.
In related developments, Alexandra Williams announced her promotion to vice president and lead writer for Monday Night Raw on LinkedIn. Williams, who joined WWE in October 2020 as a writer and producer and became senior writer in February 2024, stated: "As VP and Lead Writer for WWE’s flagship live program, I oversee all creative development for Monday Night RAW — one of television’s longest-running and highest-rated weekly shows. I pitch to and collaborate with executive leadership and a cross-functional writing team to conceptualize and execute week-to-week storylines, character arcs, and premium live event buildups, including WrestleMania and Survivor Series."
These changes occur six weeks before WrestleMania 42, with reports of adjustments due to lower-than-anticipated ticket sales and injuries to talents like Bron Breakker, Seth Rollins, and Bronson Reed, disrupting planned storylines such as Breakker challenging CM Punk. WWE is reportedly finalizing a 14-16 match card, potentially featuring a record number of women's bouts. Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer noted possible additional creative moves forthcoming.
