Road Dogg Brian James’ return to WWE’s SmackDown writing team has sparked plenty of debate, but former WWE writer Dave Schilling isn’t here for the criticism. Instead, he’s making it clear—fans should be excited about Road Dogg’s influence on the blue brand.

Schilling, who worked behind the scenes for WWE, took to social media to share his thoughts, calling Road Dogg the best writer he collaborated with. “Road Dogg was by far the best writer I worked with at WWE. People should be thrilled he’s back on SmackDown. Brian was always good to me. Always listened and respected my input. More than I could say for others.”

That’s a strong endorsement, especially with some fans still questioning how Road Dogg’s return will impact SmackDown’s creative direction heading into WrestleMania 41. While his previous run as lead writer in 2017 faced its fair share of criticism, Schilling’s comments suggest that backstage politics and excessive rewrites may have played a bigger role than Road Dogg’s actual booking decisions.

Schilling himself has been vocal about his WWE experience, previously revealing that Vince McMahon dismissed backlash over Kurt Angle vs. Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35 by bluntly saying “f**k ‘em.” His latest comments make it clear that Road Dogg wasn’t part of that mindset—he listened and respected different perspectives.

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With AJ Styles also defending Road Dogg, it’s becoming clear that many within the industry believe he deserves a fair shot at making SmackDown’s creative team stronger. Whether fans agree is another story.

What do you think of Dave Schilling’s take on Road Dogg? Will his return benefit SmackDown, or should WWE have gone in a different direction? Drop your thoughts below!

Felix Upton has over 15 years of experience in media and wrestling journalism. His work at Ringside News blends speed, accuracy, and industry insight.

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