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There are many staff members and backstage personnel in WWE. Some have been there for many years, and some are still learning the ropes. All in all, it's a significant team effort to keep the company's wheels turning every single week.
Many different departments, including the production staff, creative writing team, producers and medical staff. They all have to be admired for working tirelessly to put on several weekly shows every week of the year.
Often after retirement, several WWE Superstars join the production team to stay connected to the industry. Let's take a look at five such WWE legends who now work backstage.
#5 D-Von Dudley works backstage at WWE
One half of The Dudley Boyz, D-Von Dudley, has served as a WWE producer since September 2016. The former WWE Tag Team Champion assists superstars with their promos. He also helps them with choreographing their work when out in front of the WWE Universe.
In an interview with The Cut Pro Wrestling Podcast, D-Von disclosed how he became a WWE producer:
I never wanted to stop. I even went to them and said, 'Hey, listen. I'm not ready to become a producer, there's still a lot left in me,' and they said, 'Well you know the old man, you know how he is. He wanted the Dudleys and Bubba didn't play fair, so we're gonna give you this opportunity to stay with the company'. So I looked at it, and it was Triple H, and I said, 'Do I have a choice?' and he said, 'No, not really.' At that point I was going through a divorce and I would have loved to have gone back to Japan to finish my career, but going through a divorce at the time and having to travel 17 or 18 hours on a plane to Japan every week was not what I wanted to do. So I had to weigh my options and say, okay, here we go. I guess I'll stay here and become a producer," D-Von Dudley said. (h/t Wrestling Inc.)
As time went on, D-Von became an integral part of RAW and SmackDown production. The former ECW star has expressed his delight at working with The Usos and The New Day while producing their work.
#4 Molly Holly works backstage at WWE
Molly Holly was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2021. After the ceremony, she was offered an initial trial to become a producer. A couple of months later, the former two-time WWE Women's Champion was signed full-time.
Current WWE Superstar Doudrop spoke with Wrestling Inc.'s Brian Wohl about Molly's work backstage:
"Obviously I was a big wrestling fan growing up, so getting to work with her was like a dream come true. To talk to her, to get her perspective, to get some of her experience has been vastly useful for me. You try to chat to everybody but you definitely have to get a woman’s perspective because let’s face it, there’s not a whole lot of us," Doudrop said. (h/t Wrestling Inc.)
The former Mighty Molly will be lending her experience and knowledge to all of the superstars as a producer. She will also be working alongside Tyson Kidd, who is considered one of the best producers in WWE, focusing on the women's division.
#3 Road Dogg works as a WWE writer and producer
D-Generation-X member and WWE Hall of Famer Road Dogg currently works for WWE, focusing on the NXT brand. Roadie is a writer and producer for NXT and works alongside fellow DX member Triple H.
He has had a lot of experience working behind the scenes. Road Dogg was one of the main writers on SmackDown in December 2016. The former WWE Tag Team Champion was infamous for responding to fans' criticism throughout his tenure before stepping down from the role.
Road Dogg spoke about his delight on the NXT brand, as opposed to his role as lead writer on SmackDown:
"For me to get to work with the guys and build a relationship with them and have that camaraderie because it is something I missed as the lead writer [of Smackdown]?. For Smackdown I wouldn’t even go out there and do rehearsals anymore. I very rarely talked to the talent because I was just in the writers room or in with Vince going over the show or you know whatever we were doing. I was kind of isolated away on the creative side of the railroad tracks so this is a disconnect. And then the talent calls me on a Wednesday when I’m in prepping for a meeting to go in to pitch a show or whatever," Road Dogg said (h/t Wrestling Inc.)
Earlier this year, Road Dogg took a sabbatical to recover from a heart attack. He resumed his duties on the road in late April.
#2 Bruce Prichard works backstage at WWE
Bruce Prichard is considered one of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon's right-hand men. He is currently an Executive Vice President and serves as the Executive Director of SmackDown and RAW. More recently, he and Vince revamped NXT into NXT 2.0.
PWInsider.com reported in December 2020 that Prichard was being described as "the most powerful person in WWE right now other than a McMahon family member." A lot of the creative ideas are run through him before Vince McMahon.
Recently the WWE Universe has been questioning why WWE always goes against talent in their hometown regarding booking. Bruce, formerly known as Brother Love, explained:
"What about the people worldwide, globally? What about the guy in Knoxville, Tennessee? What about the little girl in Germany? It’s a global brand that plays all over the world and wherever we are emanating from sometimes plays a big part but — I just don’t think that, ‘Okay, we’re in someone’s hometown. Well, by God, they’ve gotta win,’" Bruce Prichard justified. (h/t Post Wrestling)
Prichard also guest stars on Conrad Thompson's Something to Wrestle With podcast to discuss pro-wrestling and its inner workings.
#1 Shawn Michaels works backstage at WWE
One of the greatest entertainers in WWE, Shawn Michaels, currently works as a writer and producer for NXT and NXT UK. The Heartbreak Kid was initially brought in as a coach, but his role eventually expanded.
Working with upcoming talent, Shawn Michaels has a hands-on approach to their development. He has overseen the growth of current superstars, including former SmackDown Women's Champion Bianca Belair and The Street Profits.
Triple H spoke about Shawn Michaels and his work at the Performance Center:
"As he started coming around the PC, it’s hard to come around there and not start to become invigorated by it. It’s like the fountain of youth. The excitement is contagious, and I could see him start to get that bug and his gears started to spin. I let him build at his own pace and now Shawn is probably one of the most engaged people in the product, talent and brand." Triple H said. (h/t Wrestling News)
Tomorrow's superstars are in competent hands, learning from Mr. WrestleMania. Shawn Michaels will likely be in a mentoring position for many years to come, teaching and lending a hand. It is the perfect fit to give back to the business after so many years of performing.
