Backstage Look at the Man Behind NXT Creative

The latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has provided a backstage look at the man behind NXT creative. Lead Writer Ryan Ward completely scripted the show, and everything was approved for broadcast by Triple H.

Ward began his career as a marketing communications assistant at General Electric. He then became a writer, news intern, camera operator, and host/anchor in different news outlets.

Ward then moved to Raycom Media, where he landed a production assistant job before making the jump to WWE in 2009. Working his way up the ladder, he’s served the company as a writer’s assistant, associate writer, writer, senior writer, and now, lead writer.

As previously reported, some on the WWE main roster are upset with how well the “NXT TakeOver: R Evolution” event came off, compared to regular episodes of WWE programming on television. Whether this is true or not, there are benefits to one man penning a program.

Storylines contain more continuity. Only having to produce hour long episodes for weekly broadcast, as well as only four two-hour specials every three months, as opposed to the main roster’s weekly five hours of TV shows, plus 13 PPV events each year allows the NXT talent to not be over-exposed.

This model also allows NXT to run year-long builds for programs, such as Sami Zayn’s recent quest for the NXT Championship in 2014. WWE’s Creative, consisting of 26+ writers, aren’t allowed to do such things, as they’re consistently writing for an “audience of one,” notably Vince McMahon. If McMahon doesn’t like what’s written, he will re-write scripts on-the-spot, sometimes as a show is beginning.

Ward has the advantage of merely being the sole writer for NXT, and if he continues to put out such acclaimed material for the roster of developing talent in Florida, many more will learn to know and remember his name.

Editor’s Note:
One writer as opposed to 26+. You’d think Vince would change the main roster’s model back to what it was back in the Attitude Era, with three guys chilling by his pool scribbling out ideas that were major hits with the fans watching.