Busted Open Radio · March 6, 2026 · 37 min

The Departure of Road Dogg & Its Effect on WWE

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Road Dogg departure

Road Dogg has resigned from his position with SmackDown and the WWE.

Bully Ray

Bully Ray career announcement

I've accepted the position as part of WWE Creative. And this will be my last day on Busted Open.

Bully Ray

WWE creative environment

Being a creative writer for the WWE, especially during the Vince era, was not a pleasant job to have. Being part of creative under Triple H is considerably more pleasant than when Vince was there.

Bully Ray

WrestleMania creative changes

I have no problem with, let's say, up until two weeks ago, the WWE having a plan for WrestleMania, and then one day Hunter walking in and going, everything that we have other than Punk and Roman is off the table. We're ripping it all up.

Dave LaGreca

CM Punk and Roman Reigns promo

I don't think anybody sat there and wrote that promo for Punk and Roman. I believe that there was a writer amongst them at one point during the day taking notes and that's about as far as I'll go with that.

Bully Ray

WrestleMania location and fan engagement

Next year, WrestleMania is in Saudi. It's going to be a complete disconnect for a lot of fans. So this year's WrestleMania needs to be a big one.

Bully Ray

WrestleMania expectations

If the WWE does not have a great WrestleMania, people are going to be like, you know what, I've had my fill over the past four to five years. I think I'm going to give it a little bit of a break.

Bully Ray

WWE creative philosophy

I'm talking about somebody being able to go out there and just organically see if something gets over. Where is that next organic character, that next organic tagline? That's what to me is missing.

Bully Ray

WWE roster management

If you have the person on your roster, and you're paying them, and they're there, what's the harm in seeing what they could do? How long are you going to let them sit the bench before you give them a shot?

Bully Ray

Triple H and Shawn Michaels management style

When you have two bosses who were former talents, Shawn Michaels and Triple H, they know what it's like to go out there and organically get over. They know what it's like to buck the system and give something a try.

Bully Ray