The history of Smackdown General Managers has seen many different personalities in the role. WWE started using the concept of General Managers following the first brand split when Vince McMahon wanted new people running each brand of Raw and Smackdown. The figures ranged from former wrestlers getting a new opportunity to the personalities that were known for their microphone skills and general presence as characters.
We will rank the ten personas to have runs as the Smackdown General Manager throughout the years. The best ones added to the show by not taking away from the wrestlers but also adding their own flair to the program. Unfortunately, there are the worst ones that negatively impacted the show by having too much of a role that didn’t quite connect. Find out just which was the best as we officially rank the 10 best Smackdown General Managers of all time.
10 John Laurinaitis
The Smackdown General Manager run of John Laurinaitis was among the shortest of them all. Laurinaitis’ team won a match against a team representing Teddy Long at WrestleMania 28 to make him the new General Manager of the Smackdown brand.
The run only lasted for a little over two months before Laurinaitis was fired on-screen. Laurinaitis wasn’t a great authority figure at all. WWE tried to use his legitimate backstage heat as a way to make him a strong character, but his lack of personality held him back.
9 Shane McMahon
The role of Shane McMahon was technically Commissioner, but he adopted the role of General Manager for Smackdown when Paige was removed. Shane turned heel shortly after this to enter a long feud with The Miz and eventually one with Kevin Owens.
The role of Shane would see him trying to hold down face wrestlers he had issues with him while helping his heel lackeys like Elias, Drew McIntyre and The Revival. Shane played a hugely negative impact on Smackdown until Owens finally got rid of him in a loser gets fired ladder match.
8 Booker T
Booker T is one of the forgotten Smackdown General Managers due to the shorter time in the role and lack of activity. Teddy Long and Eve Torres worked with Booker as all had authority roles helping run the show. Booker played the same face character he’s been in recent years.
Smackdown didn’t see much changes for the better or worse with Booker in charge. There were quite a few episodes where he didn’t appear leading to Eve and Long getting the power. Booker transitioned into a broadcasting role which worked out better for him.
7 Vickie Guerrero
Vickie Guerrero had three different stints as a heel General Manager running Smackdown. The crowd often made her the most hated character on the show as she received massive boos during her shouting of the phrase “Excuse Me!” to get their attention.
WWE loved the act enough to continue bringing her back. Storylines which had her aligning with people like Edge, Chavo Guerrero, Big Show and Dolph Ziggler dominated the show. The act did grow old, as the heel authority figure can run its course if a performer is a one-dimensional like Vickie was.
6 Kurt Angle
One of the more surprising choices for Smackdown General Manager was Kurt Angle, who got the role in 2004 following an injury storyline. Angle gained power as a heel authority figure trying to run the show after having to use a wheelchair.
The stint was quite successful, as Angle’s personality always delivered on the entertainment side of things. Angle, however, would get exposed as faking his injury when trying to attack Eddie Guerrero under a mask to cost him the WWE Championship.
5 Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman was the second General Manager of Smackdown taking control of the show in 2003. The role would see Heyman trying to hold power by making life difficult for his enemies and helping his friends. Brock Lesnar’s heel turn would see Heyman align with him again.
The memorable Survivor Series team of Lesnar, Big Show, A-Train, Matt Morgan and Nathan Jones all represented talents that were protecting Heyman at some point. Heyman’s natural charisma made him a success, but WWE removed him from the role within five months after he was drafted to Raw.
4 Paige
The recent retirement of Paige would see her become the Smackdown General Manager in early 2019. Daniel Bryan returning to the ring meant that Paige would replace him. Paige was one of the few recent faces in the authority figure role and it was refreshing.
Instead of dominating the show with promos, Paige had short backstage segments and only had long promos for important storylines. The things that fans wanted would be what Paige announced since her role was to just make the show better without the silly bells and whistles.
3 Teddy Long
Teddy Long might very well be the person who is most synonymous with the role of Smackdown General Manager. The transition from a manager to a GM would see Long gain control of the Smackdown brand in 2004. Long had a simple face character with a unique love of tag team matches.
The run would see Long in charge of Smackdown for most of an eight-year time period. Smackdown become known as the show where Long would cut his opening show promos forcing the multiple wrestlers having conflict to get involved in the tag matches. Long also had a memorable dance that he still does for rare returns.
2 Daniel Bryan
Daniel Bryan's retirement from wrestling lasted a few years while he was still under WWE contract. During this time which he used to recover from his physical injuries, Bryan was moved into the General Manager role for Smackdown, working alongside Commissioner Shane McMahon at the start of the 2016 brand split.
Smackdown started off as the better show with fans truly loving the different dynamic. Bryan as a face authority figure that the fans truly loved made him the perfect fit. Someone respected would lay down the law while attempting to give the audience what they wanted.
1 Stephanie McMahon
One of the few times as a face character for Stephanie McMahon would see her become the first-ever Smackdown General Manager. Vince McMahon named Stephanie and Eric Bischoff the first two GMs forcing them to compete against each other with the Smackdown vs Raw battle.
Stephanie did a great job in the face role helping steer the ship. This was the first run to make Stephanie a credible authority since her past work came as more of a bratty character. Smackdown thrived for over a year with Stephanie’s face character serving as the ideal strong but fair authority figure.