5 months ago
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WWE is an ever-changing company and there are lots of people who eventually leave the promotion and one such name is Ryan Callahan, who was the former Head Writer for SmackDown before leaving last week and now the reason for his exit has been revealed.
As previously reported, Longtime WWE creative writer John Swikata was promoted to lead writer for WWE SmackDown as of last week. Swikata replaced Ryan Callahan, who has parted ways with WWE.
According to Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it was indicated that while Callahan was highly talented, he faced challenges due to interpersonal dynamics and criticisms related to Jennifer Pepperman’s departure, which some link to Mercedes Mone’s move to AEW.
“We were told that Callahan was considered a very talented writer but wasn’t as well liked as the leader of the group. He took heat for Jennifer Pepperman leaving (although I think her leaving is more Mercedes Mone got her into AEW). It was also said it became harder for underneath talent to reach him. But he was believed to be burned out by the pressure and need for diplomacy from the position.”
There were also concerns that it became difficult for lower-level talent to communicate with him. The pressures of diplomacy and burnout likely contributed to his decision to step down.
“The feeling was he just wanted to write the show and not be a guy working to get along with everyone.”
Under Callahan’s tenure, SmackDown became a major success, consistently ranking as the top show on Friday nights and often the highest-rated entertainment program of the week, though it competes against network television shows with larger audiences. Despite his success, it was felt that Callahan preferred a more focused writing role rather than navigating interpersonal challenges.
We have also reported John Swikata’s impact during his SmackDown debut. Regardless, WWE will continue to move forward without Ryan Callahan and that is simply how the business goes.
Did you ever expect to see Ryan Callahan leave WWE? Let us know in the comments section below!
Subhojeet, a professional wrestling fan for over 20+ years, found his passion during the Monday Night Wars. With expertise honed over decades and a broad spectrum of interests including TV, movies, anime, novels, and music, he offers insightful analysis and coverage. Respected in the industry, Subhojeet keeps fans informed and engaged with his knowledge and perspective.
