What may be one of the most significant backroom shake-ups, "WWE SmackDown" now has a new head writer in John Swikata, as the company parts ways with Ryan Callahan. The development comes at a considerable time for the brand as Swikata assumes charge of creative direction going forward.
Sean Ross Sapp of "Fightful Select" was the first to report the transition and noted Swikata's immediate influence on the show. A WWE source told "Fightful" that already, since taking over the position, Swikata has made significant changes in the program, with that being the case on the June 21 edition. Swikata is a career veteran of the WWE creative team moving into this new role.
Ryan Callahan, whom Paul Heyman called an unsung hero regarding the work he had done on the Bloodline storyline, hasn't had the easiest time at WWE. After a brief sabbatical in 2019 that saw him step away from the "WWE Raw" team, Callahan eventually returned to play a significant role in the "SmackDown" brand. By this fact alone, his departure will mark the end of another significant chapter in WWE's creative history.
Swikata's SmackDown Success
The past weeks of "SmackDown" have primarily been remarkable under Swikata's helm. With high-level talent from CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes, Randy Orton, and The Bloodline, the show remains a Cardonahopia-filled thrill ride. Asure was no different last night, with the newest addition to the faction being Jacob Fatu in what proved to be a very memorable blue brand debut for the star.
It's not just Callahan, however; Jennifer Pepperman, another central veteran of the creative team, left WWE earlier this year to join AEW. This move has simply underlined a growing trend of talent moving between the major wrestling promotions it's part of the evolution in this industry.
With WWE "SmackDown" in transition, all eyes are on the team led by John Swikata to take this brand into the next era. Much of what Swikata does, armed with so much business experience and a strong vision for where the show needs to go forward, will further enhance "SmackDown" as one of the mainstays of WWE programming. One thing is for sure: fans and those closest to the action are highly focused and excited about being given the chance to realize new storylines and excellent wrestling action that a product headed by Swikata holds within its belly.