WWE Recently Made Change To Lead SmackDown Writer

WWE produced a widely-praised episode of Smackdown on Friday, June 21 that featured Drew McIntyre surprisingly taking out CM Punk in the Second City Saint's hometown of Chicago and the debut of Jacob Fatu. 

One potential reason for SmackDown being so positively received could be down to a change behind the scenes. According to Fightful Select's Sean Ross Sapp, John Switaka has been promoted to the lead writer on WWE SmackDown. Switaka replaces Ryan Callahan, who recently parted ways with WWE. 

Switaka remains a mystery to many and there is little known about him beyond that he is a senior writer with WWE and has been a part of the company for a long time. Former writers have said Switaka is a well-liked member of WWE creative. 

A source within WWE told Fightful that Switaka has already had a big impact, pointing to the widely praised episode of SmackDown and how the show played out. Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio, however, that much of Friday's SmackDown had already been planned out but Switaka did introduce one or two new plans.  

WWE creative remains under the purview of WWE Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque and he has been in charge of creative since 2023 when Vince McMahon was removed from the role by TKO CEO Ari Emanuel. Shawn Michaels, meanwhile, is in charge of the day-to-day running of WWE NXT in his role as Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative.