WWE Hall of Famer Brian 'Road Dogg' James has departed as co-lead writer for SmackDown following his annual performance review, amid reports of internal tensions and broader creative changes. The exit coincides with Alexandra Williams's promotion to vice president and lead writer for Monday Night Raw as WrestleMania 42 nears.
Brian 'Road Dogg' James, a WWE Hall of Famer inducted as part of D-Generation X in 2019, has left the company after serving as co-lead writer for Friday Night SmackDown since early 2025. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, James's exit came shortly after his annual performance review, with the belief that he was unhappy with the feedback and chose to leave voluntarily. "One person close to the situation said that it has been brewing," Meltzer added.
Reports from Bodyslam.net, PWInsider, and Wrestling Observer confirm the decision was his own, though specifics beyond the review were not detailed. WWE had initially approved James's appearance at an upcoming wrestling convention but later rescinded it, prompting his withdrawal.
James joined WWE's creative team in 2014 (with a seven-month absence in 2022), holding roles as producer, coach, and senior vice president of live events after returning in August 2022. His SmackDown tenure faced fan criticism over storylines, though AJ Styles defended him publicly last year. He appeared in season two of WWE Unreal on Netflix, pitching ideas for talents like R-Truth and Chelsea Green.
In parallel developments, Alexandra Williams was promoted to vice president and lead writer for Monday Night Raw, as announced on LinkedIn. Williams, who joined WWE in October 2020 as a writer/producer and became senior writer in February 2024, oversees creative for the flagship show, including storylines and premium live event buildups like WrestleMania and Survivor Series.
These changes come six weeks before WrestleMania 42, amid lower-than-expected ticket sales and injuries to stars like Bron Breakker, Seth Rollins, and Bronson Reed, which disrupted plans such as Breakker vs. CM Punk. WWE is finalizing a 14-16 match card with a potential record number of women's bouts. Fans have reacted to James's departure with shock but optimism for improved SmackDown creative, while Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer hinted at further adjustments.