Road Dogg: WWE Looked At AEW As ‘This Other Little Money Mark’s Company’ — And That Was Wrong

Road Dogg has said WWE failed to take AEW seriously when it should have, describing the internal attitude toward Tony Khan’s company as dismissive — and arguing WWE itself became a money grab that no longer felt right to him.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, James was candid about how WWE viewed its competition.

“No, we didn’t feel we were in a battle with AEW, and we probably should have. Instead, I think it was looked at like, ‘Oh that’s this other little money mark’s company.’ I honestly think that’s how it was looked at. I would argue that, however long we are into their tenure, that was wrong to be looking at it that way. They’re still here, they’re still strong, they’re getting stronger. Adding Mike Massury was a huge step in the right direction. He’s a smart guy with good instincts.”

He reflected on how AEW’s existence changed WWE’s approach to talent retention.

“When it comes to renegotiation time, you’re going to lock some people down that you don’t want to go there. If Santos Escobar is going to go there to make a difference, maybe you say, ‘We’ll re-sign you for three years.’ The money is deciding everything.”

On the creative direction he saw late in his tenure, James said booking decisions increasingly felt disconnected from wrestling itself.

“It felt like it turned into the business wrestling instead of the wrestling business, and in my mind, that’s backward. In my wallet, it makes perfect sense. It felt weird and I wanted to get out.”

James departed WWE in March 2026 after serving as co-lead writer of SmackDown. He remains under contract through a WWE Legends deal.