Jonathan Coachman Says WWE Can’t Be ‘Old White Dudes’ Anymore

Jonathan Coachman didn’t hold back when he took to Twitter after the January 2, 2026 edition of WWE SmackDown, ripping into the status quo with one pointed observation: the future of WWE needs to look different—and younger.

Recording a video while traveling, Coachman laid out three major takeaways from the show, but it was his second point that turned heads. Speaking on the influx of NXT talent, Coachman said WWE finally felt fresh—but it needs to go further.

“Stop gatekeeping NXT talent… Trick Williams came out, the entrance—amazing. The crowd—super into it. And so let’s go. Ricky Saints. Let’s go. Oba Femi. Let’s go. Javon Evans. Let’s go. All of these young cats. You need young. You need diversity. And that’s exactly what you brought up on the show.”

Then came the statement that will have fans and insiders talking all weekend:

“It can’t be old white dudes that are gonna be the only stars for the show.”

Coachman’s words hit harder because they come after a SmackDown episode where Trick Williams had a breakout confrontation with Sami Zayn, and Oba Femi was hyped in a new vignette. WWE may be quietly preparing a new generation of main eventers, but Coachman’s message is clear: stop playing it safe with the same faces.

He didn’t stop there. Coachman also praised Randy Orton—“an absolute star”—and pitched Drew McIntyre as the top heel in WWE. In his words, “Drew’s the guy… give him the strap, let him be the heel, and let all of these babyfaces coming in chase him.”

Coachman’s video, tied to his “Off the Ropes” show on Channel 156, wrapped with a message for wrestling media and fans alike: pay attention, because WWE’s future shouldn’t look like its past.

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