Performed better in unpopular drama before journalist (9)
I believe the answer is:
outplayed
'performed better' is the definition.
(to outplay someone is to perform better than them)
'unpopular drama before journalist' is the wordplay.
'unpopular' becomes 'out' (similar in meaning).
'drama' becomes 'play' (synonyms).
'before' says to put letters next to each other.
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'out'+'play'+'ed'='OUTPLAYED'
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for outplayed that I've seen before include "Well beaten" , "Performed better than" .)