Ryan Ward Quietly Gaining More Creative Influence in WWE as Road Dogg Steps Back

WWE didn’t announce it — but backstage, there’s been a noticeable creative shift, and Ryan Ward is quietly stepping up while Road Dogg’s influence has subtly cooled off.

On the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer revealed that Ryan Ward is gaining more creative control behind the scenes, especially on SmackDown, as WWE settles into its new three-hour format on the USA Network.

“It’s minor, but it’s a shift worth noting. Ryan Ward’s been getting more influence backstage—he’s being leaned on a bit more for formatting and structure. Road Dogg is still very much involved, but the dynamic has changed slightly. It’s not dramatic, but it’s there.” — Dave Meltzer

This came during a conversation with Garrett Gonzales, where Meltzer explained how WWE’s internal creative structure has evolved under Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who now has full control of creative following Vince McMahon’s exit from day-to-day operations.

Ward, known for his strong creative work during the peak years of NXT, has become a trusted voice in the room — particularly when it comes to structuring and formatting weekly TV. That format-first mindset seems to be exactly what WWE wants right now as they juggle new broadcast deals, an expanded SmackDown schedule, and long-term storytelling goals.

Meanwhile, Brian “Road Dogg” James — who previously had a much tighter grip on SmackDown’s creative — is still involved, but not driving the flow of the show the way he once was.

Meltzer made it clear this isn’t a formal demotion or power struggle. No official titles have changed. But sources have noticed the “slow evolution” playing out — with Levesque favoring writers like Ward who focus on long-term structure over last-minute rewrites and punchline-heavy booking.

This comes just as WWE expanded SmackDown back to a three-hour format beginning with the January 2 episode from Buffalo, New York — a shift that required tighter pacing and more structured formatting, making Ward’s rising influence even more significant.

There’s no official confirmation from WWE, but according to Meltzer, multiple sources backstage have observed this shift since late 2025, and it reflects the kind of long-term planning style Triple H prefers.

Do you think WWE’s creative direction is improving with Ryan Ward stepping up? And should Road Dogg’s looser, promo-heavy style still have a place on TV? Drop your thoughts in the comments — we want to hear from you.