Jonathan Coachman didn’t maintain again when he took to Twitter after the January 2, 2026 version of WWE SmackDown, ripping into the established order with one pointed statement: the way forward for WWE must look completely different—and youthful.
Recording a video whereas touring, Coachman laid out three main takeaways from the present, nevertheless it was his second level that turned heads. Talking on the inflow of NXT expertise, Coachman stated WWE lastly felt contemporary—nevertheless it must go additional.
“Cease gatekeeping NXT expertise… Trick Williams got here out, the doorway—wonderful. The gang—tremendous into it. And so let’s go. Ricky Saints. Let’s go. Oba Femi. Let’s go. Javon Evans. Let’s go. All of those younger cats. You want younger. You want variety. And that’s precisely what you introduced up on the present.”
Then got here the assertion that may have followers and insiders speaking all weekend:
“It could actually’t be outdated white dudes which are gonna be the one stars for the present.”
Coachman’s phrases hit tougher as a result of they arrive after a SmackDown episode the place Trick Williams had a breakout confrontation with Sami Zayn, and Oba Femi was hyped in a brand new vignette. WWE could also be quietly getting ready a brand new era of most important eventers, however Coachman’s message is obvious: cease enjoying it secure with the identical faces.
He didn’t cease there. Coachman additionally praised Randy Orton—“an absolute star”—and pitched Drew McIntyre as the highest heel in WWE. In his phrases, “Drew’s the man… give him the strap, let him be the heel, and let all of those babyfaces coming in chase him.”
Coachman’s video, tied to his “Off the Ropes” present on Channel 156, wrapped with a message for wrestling media and followers alike: listen, as a result of WWE’s future shouldn’t seem like its previous.
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