According to Meltzer, Callahan was seen as a talented writer but not quite cut out for the leadership role. “He took heat for Jennifer Pepperman leaving,” Meltzer penned, “and it became harder for the talent to reach him. The pressure and need for diplomacy likely burned him out.” It seems the WWE creative chair is hotter than a summer slam!
Despite the turmoil, Callahan’s era was marked by significant success for SmackDown. However, it appears his passion was more aligned with writing scripts than handling the bureaucratic burdens of a head writer. Enter John Swikata, the new head honcho of SmackDown’s creative team. Swikata is already being praised for his resilience, particularly for his ability to keep cool under the aggressive management style of former CEO Vince McMahon.
Swikata’s debut episode last week had most of its content set before he stepped in, but some intriguing changes were made under his watch. Notably, the subtle nods to the complex relationship between CM Punk and Paul Heyman, as well as Roman Reigns’ directive for Heyman to distance himself from Punk, were reportedly added post-Swikata’s arrival. Whether these ideas were Swikata’s brainchild or a collaborative effort from the WWE creative team remains a mystery.
The real test for Swikata begins with tonight’s episode of SmackDown, broadcasting live from the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York City. Fans can look forward to an “Acknowledgment Ceremony” featuring The Bloodline, celebrating Jacob Fatu’s debut from last week. Additionally, more WWE Money in the Bank qualifying matches are set to ramp up the excitement.
As the creative landscape of WWE SmackDown shifts, all eyes will be on Swikata to see if he can maintain the show’s momentum or if he will get pinned by the immense pressure. Stay tuned, wrestling aficionados, because the drama both in and out of the ring is far from over!