Tag: brian “road dogg” james

Road Dogg addresses WWE departure

Posted on by Joseph Currier

During a virtual signing with Signed By Superstars, Brian “Road Dogg” James addressed his recent departure from WWE.

James was co-lead writer of SmackDown before departing his position on the WWE creative team in early March. He told Signed By Superstars that the company was moving “too fast” for him, and he also wanted to spend more time at home with his family.

“It was moving too fast. It was just moving too fast for me,” James said. “We talked about my brothers and their grandkids, and I didn’t get to spend a whole lot of time with mine. So I’m going to do more of that now.”

This was James’ second stint as a top writer on SmackDown, having already left the position in 2019 before later returning.

James was asked during the virtual signing if he had any input in WWE’s upcoming WrestleMania 42 card.

“Yeah, I did. A lot,” James responded. “I think it’s strong. I think it’s as strong as you’re going to get. I really do. I’m excited about Brock and [Oba Femi]. Look, I got nothing bad to say. I think they’re moving fast and they are growing expeditiously. Financially, they’re setting records. Like, you can’t say nothing bad. It just was moving too fast for me. I’m getting older, and it’s a young man’s game. They’re running fast, and they’re running fast internationally.”

James mentioned during the virtual signing that he’d be interested in getting back into the podcast world again after previously hosting the show “Oh…You Didn’t Know.”

Road Dogg announced for three appearances following WWE departure

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

It’s now been announced that Road Dogg will also be appearing for Diamond Championship Wrestling in Alabama on March 20.

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Following his departure from WWE, Brian “Road Dogg” James has been announced for a couple of appearances.

News broke last week that James — a WWE Hall of Famer — had departed his position on the WWE creative team. He’s now set to make a convention appearance later this month, with Squared Circle Expo announcing that James will be at their event in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 27-28.

James is also set to reunite with his New Age Outlaws tag team partner Billy Gunn for an appearance this December. They’re the first guests announced for Blizzard Brawl 21, an annual indie event produced by Great Lakes Championship Wrestling. The show is being held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Prior to his WWE departure, James served as the co-lead writer of SmackDown. It was his second stint in the role.

While reporting on the situation, Dave Meltzer noted that — before James left the company — WWE had given him permission to take a convention booking later this month before then rescinding it. The report didn’t state whether that was this Squared Circle Expo appearance or not.

“James got his annual review. The belief is that he wasn’t happy with it and left,” Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. “He may say he left over something else and only he would know exactly why he did so. But it was his decision and it came after his annual review. One person close to the situation said that it has been brewing. He was going to do a convention later this month and it was approved, and then the approval was rescinded and he had to cancel, but in pulling out pretty much said that wouldn’t be an issue starting in a little while.”