WWE Make MAJOR Changes To Raw & SmackDown Writing Teams

Another big creative reshuffle in a year full of them.

by Andy H Murray
Eric Bischoff
Instagram, @therealericbischoff

2019 has been a year of big internal changes for WWE, with notable personnel like Dean Malenko and Arn Anderson leaving the promotion, Paul Heyman and Eric Bischoff sensationally returning as Executive Directors, and a host of other reshuffles within the creative and production teams.

Now, it looks like the promotion has decided to rearrange the pieces once again.

Yesterday saw the Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer write that WWE has altered their Raw and SmackDown writing teams. Per the report, former NXT writer Ryan Ward has left his position as SmackDown's lead and will now embark on a period of "personal leave." He will be replaced by Raw's former lead writer, Ed Koskey, who's going to work closely with Eric Bischoff and has been with WWE for 18 years.

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Jonathan Baeckstrom has taken the vacant Raw position. He was brought to the flagship show by Paul Heyman, having served as 205 Live's lead writer since November 2016.

Meltzer writes that the changes have been made to ensure that Raw and SmackDown's definitive teams are in place before the official roster split in October. There's no word on whether or not further tweaks will be made.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.