[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by 58kcfan89

I hadn't heard this, but it could explain a lot.

Here's the details from a recent Observer:

There are some changes within the writing staff when it comes to structure. Brian Gewirtz and Michael Hayes’ positions have changed from being head writer on Raw and Smackdown to being a layer above the head writer position. Instead of primary being on Raw and Smackdown respectively, Gewirtz’s role is to give ideas and set up the big picture direction for both shows and transmit the ideas Vince and Stephanie have for what they want on the show. Hayes’ new role is to be the guy who also gives ideas for both Raw and Smackdown, but also is the guy who explains to the agents where they are going with things and gives them their orders and what key things have to be included in the television matches. David Kapoor (Ranjin Singh) is now head writer of Raw in the sense he and his staff put together the scripts for the show and Kapoor is the actual writer. Ed Koskey has the same role on Smackdown. They report to Brian Gewirtz, who reports to Stephanie, who reports to Vince. One person noted to is, “it’s just another level of bureaucracy that will make getting a good idea approved even harder within the dysfunctional division.” Hayes as head of the producers and the guy giving them their basic framework of where to go with the matches is the position John Laurinaitis used to hold. Hayes will also work with Vince and HHH on the big show major finishes, but he’s no longer the guy directly pitching the Smackdown show to Vince and Stephanie. Basically, when it comes to creative, Vince is the boss, Stephanie and HHH are the level below him, Hayes and Gewirtz are the level below that, and Koskey and Kapoor are the level below that. One person familiar said Kapoor and Koskey’s promotion really only give them more headaches and pressure and while it looks like he has more power, the belief seems to be more it’s a sign that they consider Smackdown more of a secondary show than before. The feeling is Hayes can be best utilized in coming up with ideas for both shows so that is considered a positive.

Hayes in Laurinaitis’ old position of being the head of the producers (agents) when it comes to television, also assigns what agents are to do what matches. Developmental has been taken away from Laurinaitis and put in the hands of HHH as far as who is in charge of the system, although Laurinaitis is also involved in that mix. While for months people have expected widespread changes, thus far nothing is all that different. Scouting new talent was also under Laurinaitis, with Gerald Brisco being a key scout, and HHH is likely to take that over once he finds his own team. HHH has not been high on Laurinaitis, who is constantly compared to the Jim Ross era, and when you compare the number of stars brought in during the Ross era and the Laurinaitis era, it’s scary (that also goes for dropping OVW as a territory and less recruiting of major league star athletes). But there is a feeling that there is nobody around that can do Laurinaitis’ job, because Ross has a life outside of wrestling and doesn’t want it back, plus if they were going to replace Laurinaitis it would be a younger person. Laurinaitis at least spent several years working under Ross to learn the job before the move was made. Nobody has been trained by Laurinaitis to take over but clearly he’s lost power in some of the recent moves.