Paul Heyman: I Couldn't Have Followed Brock Lesnar Run With Anyone But Roman Reigns

Paul Heyman has discussed why he wanted to manage Roman Reigns after his stint as Brock Lesnar's on-screen manager in WWE.

Heyman has helped elevate many careers as a manager and had a major impact on the careers of legends like Lesnar. More recently, the WWE Hall of Famer helped transform Reigns' character, explaining in an interview with Graham Bensinger that "The Tribal Chief" was the only person he would have wanted to manage after his association with Lesnar came to an end.

"There is no one else I could have followed up my run with Brock Lesnar with than Roman Reigns," said Heyman. "As an athlete, top tier, 100% top tier. I mean, great athlete. As a performer, his knowledge of being inside that ring is second to none. I've learned more from Roman Reigns than Roman Reigns has learned from his Wise Man. He knows what to say; I think I added when to say it." 

Heyman admitted that despite his four decades in the pro wrestling business, he has learned more from Reigns than the other way around. The veteran manager said that anyone who shares screen time with Reigns is elevated to another level.

"But I've learned more from him than he has ever learned from me. He is the Tribal Chief. It was the easiest name I've ever come up with. He is a Tribal Chief, and the WWE Universe is his tribe. And he has created an island of relevancy that when you are with him, you are relevant because you are in the presence of Roman Reigns."

The former ECW head honcho had previously stated that he and Reigns had spoken for a long time about collaborating in WWE, something that finally came to fruition in 2020. Heyman holds Reigns in high regard, both as a person and as a performer, even going as far as to say that the WWE World Heavyweight Champion deserves an Emmy for his portrayal of "The Tribal Chief."