WWE Superstar AJ Styles defended Road Dogg after fans criticized his appointment as WWE SmackDown’s new co-lead writer. At the start of 2025, WWE extended SmackDown’s runtime from two to three hours, a format set to continue until June.
Reports surfaced over the weekend confirming that Road Dogg had been named the new co-lead writer for the blue brand. The report also confirmed that John Swikata had been leading the brand’s creative direction. However, WWE Hall of Famer Road Dogg will now join him in that role.
Following reports of Road Dogg’s appointment as the new co-lead writer for WWE SmackDown, fans took to social media to express their concerns. He previously worked as a writer for the show from 2016 until he stepped away in 2019. Critics pointed to the quality of the show during his previous tenure as a reason for skepticism.
Road Dogg’s return to creative leadership sparked significant backlash from fans. Amid the criticism, AJ Styles spoke out in support of Dogg’s new position. Styles defended the WWE Hall of Famer’s appointment and dismissed the concerns raised by fans.
WWE’s AJ Styles has a strong message for Road Dogg’s critics
Former WWE Champion AJ Styles responded on X, formerly Twitter, to the criticism of Road Dogg. He addressed the negative comments from fans and hinted that former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon had the final say on creative decisions during Dogg’s time as a writer for the show. Styles wrote:
“Before judging this guy from his past performance as the head writer, just know that there was a man who picked it apart to the point that it was no longer his ideas anymore.”
Vince McMahon’s retirement followed a hush money scandal in 2022. He returned briefly in 2023 but stepped down in early 2024 due to sexual misconduct allegations, marking his permanent departure from WWE.
