Bobby Roode and Drake Maverick remain with WWE in behind-the-scenes capacities despite recent developments that led fans to question their respective statuses with the company.

Roode was recently moved to WWE’s alumni section alongside Titus O’Neil, a website adjustment that naturally drew attention given his long absence from active competition. However, Roode is still working for WWE as a producer. Meanwhile, Maverick — known to many fans from earlier stages of his career as Rockstar Spud — has returned to wrestling matches and interviews outside WWE, but he was credited as a writer on multiple segments during this week’s episode of WWE Raw.

The updates provide important clarity on two performers whose public profiles have changed considerably in recent years. Neither man is currently positioned as a regular on-screen WWE personality, yet both continue to have roles that contribute to the company’s weekly television product.

Bobby Roode’s Transition From the Ring to Production

Roode stepped away from in-ring competition following neck fusion surgery in September 2022. The surgery marked a major turning point for a performer who had spent decades building a reputation across multiple promotions before becoming a prominent part of WWE’s roster.

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Before his medical issues brought his wrestling career to a halt, Roode had established himself as one of the most recognizable veterans in WWE. His entrance presentation, built around the “Glorious” theme, became an immediate fan favorite, while his work in NXT and on the main roster demonstrated the polished style that had defined his career long before he arrived in WWE.

Roode’s WWE résumé includes a run as NXT Champion, as well as championship success on the main roster. He also formed memorable partnerships with performers including Chad Gable and Dolph Ziggler. Although his final stretch as an active wrestler was interrupted by injury, his move into a production role allowed him to remain involved with the industry and apply his extensive experience in a different capacity.

A producer’s responsibilities can involve helping to prepare matches, working with talent on structure and pacing, coordinating with other members of the creative and production teams, and ensuring that segments are ready for television. WWE does not always publicly detail the precise duties assigned to individual producers, but the position is a significant one for a former in-ring performer with Roode’s depth of experience.

The alumni designation on WWE’s website does not, in itself, mean that a wrestler has departed the organization entirely. WWE’s online roster classifications do not always reflect a person’s full employment status or behind-the-scenes responsibilities. In Roode’s case, the latest update confirms that his placement in the alumni section should not be interpreted as a sign that he is no longer with the company.

That distinction matters because Roode’s name carries substantial weight with fans who followed his work both before and during his WWE tenure. His absence from television and active competition has left plenty of room for speculation, particularly whenever a visible website change occurs. The confirmation that he remains a producer settles the immediate question surrounding his status while also underscoring that his WWE role has evolved rather than ended.

Drake Maverick Still Contributing to WWE Raw

Maverick’s situation has similarly generated discussion because of his recent activity outside WWE. The former 205 Live General Manager and 24/7 Championship personality has returned to the ring at PROGRESS Wrestling, reviving the Rockstar Spud name associated with much of his career before WWE.

His renewed wrestling activity, coupled with interviews connected to that return, prompted fans to wonder whether he had left WWE. The answer appears to be no. Maverick was listed as a writer on multiple segments on this week’s Raw, confirming that he continues to contribute creatively to WWE programming.

Maverick has long been regarded as a versatile performer and personality. During his WWE run, he held a wide range of on-screen roles, from authority figure to manager to competitor. His work as the storyline leader of 205 Live gave him a prominent position during a key period for WWE’s cruiserweight division, while his later involvement in the 24/7 Championship scene displayed a different side of his presentation.

One of the most memorable stretches of Maverick’s WWE career came during the 2020 storyline surrounding his release. His emotional response and subsequent tournament matches resonated strongly with audiences, and he ultimately remained with the company. In the years since, he has increasingly worked outside the spotlight in creative capacities.

Being listed as a writer on several Raw segments is a meaningful indication of Maverick’s continuing place within WWE’s television operation. Writing credits can change from week to week and do not necessarily reveal every aspect of a person’s day-to-day responsibilities, but the credits establish that he remains involved in the process of putting together the flagship weekly show.

At the same time, Maverick’s appearance for PROGRESS Wrestling demonstrates that a behind-the-scenes WWE role does not automatically prevent someone from taking selected wrestling bookings elsewhere. The available information does not provide additional details about the terms of his arrangement, the scope of his outside ring activity, or whether he plans to make further appearances. What is clear is that his return to matches should not be viewed as confirmation of a WWE exit.

Why the Updates Matter

Both situations illustrate how quickly fan speculation can develop when familiar names appear in different places — or disappear from expected places. A wrestler being moved to an alumni page, or returning to an independent ring, can look like a major status change at first glance. In practice, WWE’s relationship with former on-screen talent can be more complicated, particularly when those individuals have transitioned into production, writing, coaching, or other internal jobs.

Roode and Maverick also represent two distinct versions of that transition. Roode’s move came after a serious neck issue ended his active career for the time being. His production work allows a veteran known for his ring craft and television experience to remain part of WWE’s infrastructure.

Maverick, on the other hand, has continued to make occasional headlines as an active wrestler while also contributing to Raw as a writer. His case shows that an individual can maintain a creative position within WWE while still being visible in wrestling settings outside the company, depending on the nature of the role and the arrangement involved.

There is no indication in the available information that Roode is preparing for an in-ring return. After neck fusion surgery in September 2022, his focus has been on his work as a producer. Likewise, Maverick’s PROGRESS Wrestling return does not establish that he is resuming a full-time in-ring schedule or that he has departed WWE.

For now, the clearest takeaway is straightforward: Roode remains a WWE producer, and Maverick remains part of the WWE creative process as a writer on Raw. Their recent public-facing developments may have sparked understandable questions, but both men are still connected to WWE beyond what is immediately visible on television or the company website.

Two Experienced Voices Behind the Scenes

WWE’s behind-the-scenes operation is built in part on the contributions of former wrestlers who understand the demands of live television, character work, match construction, and crowd response. Roode and Maverick bring different backgrounds and strengths to that environment.

Roode’s experience as a top-level singles wrestler, tag team competitor, and champion gives him a broad perspective that can be useful to talent at various stages of their development. Maverick’s career has included wrestling, managing, authority roles, comedic storytelling, and creative work, making him another multifaceted presence in the process.

Their current statuses may not place them at the center of WWE’s on-screen presentation, but that does not lessen their value within the company. Roode’s continued producer role and Maverick’s credited work on Raw confirm that both remain active contributors to WWE, even as their individual paths continue to look very different from the ones fans first came to know.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.