The recent episode of WWE SmackDown, which aired on April 10, 2026, left many questioning the direction of the company’s main event storylines. Celebrities have long been a staple in WWE, but a recent development has sparked heated debates about their involvement in the company’s flagship shows.
A Star-Studded Main Event Falls Flat
The April 10 episode of SmackDown featured a main event that pitted WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes against none other than Hollywood actor and singer, David Hasselhoff. While the match itself was well-received by fans, the overall storytelling and execution left much to be desired.
According to a WWE insider, the Hasselhoff booking was a last-minute decision, made with the intention of generating buzz and excitement for the show. However, the result was far from what the company had hoped for.
“The Hasselhoff match was a disaster from the start,” the insider revealed. “The storyline was poorly written, and the character development was non-existent. It’s clear that the company is struggling to figure out how to integrate celebrities into the main event storylines effectively.”
Jonathan Coachman Weighs In on the Controversy
Former WWE personality Jonathan Coachman, who famously clashed with WWE talent and management during his time with the company, has been vocal about his displeasure with the celebrity booking trend.
“I think it’s time for WWE to reevaluate their approach to featuring celebrities in main event storylines,” Coachman said in a recent interview. “While it’s great to have big-name talent involved, it’s essential to make sure that the storyline is well-written and the character development is genuine. Otherwise, it just comes across as a gimmick, and it’s not taking the company’s product seriously.”
Coachman’s comments sparked a heated debate among fans, with some agreeing with his assessment and others defending the company’s creative decisions.
WWE’s Celebrity Booking Conundrum
The issue at hand is not that celebrities shouldn’t be involved in WWE; rather, it’s about how they’re integrated into the main event storylines. WWE has a long history of featuring big-name talent, from Hollywood icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger to musicians like Dave Matthews.
However, recent attempts to involve celebrities in main event storylines have fallen flat. The Hasselhoff match is just the latest example of a poorly executed storyline that left fans and talent unimpressed.
According to sources close to Cody Rhodes, the WWE Superstar was initially hesitant to participate in the Hasselhoff match, citing concerns about the storyline’s direction and the character development.
“Cody was not happy with the way the storyline was being written,” a source revealed. “He felt that it was a waste of his time and that it was not taking the company’s product seriously. Unfortunately, the match was greenlit, and now we’re facing the consequences.”
The Future of Celebrity Booking in WWE
As the debate rages on, it’s clear that WWE needs to reassess its approach to featuring celebrities in main event storylines. While it’s essential to have big-name talent involved, it’s equally important to make sure that the storyline is well-written and the character development is genuine.
Jonathan Coachman’s comments serve as a wake-up call for the company, reminding them that the product needs to be taken seriously. WWE’s talent deserves better, and fans deserve a more engaging and authentic storytelling experience.
In the words of Coachman, “If WWE wants to continue featuring celebrities in main event storylines, they need to do it right. Otherwise, it’s just a gimmick, and it’s not taking the company’s product seriously.”
Only time will tell if WWE will take Coachman’s advice to heart and make the necessary changes to their creative approach. One thing is certain, however: the company’s decision will have a significant impact on the future of WWE and its relationship with its talented roster.