During an appearance on Friday’s edition of “The Pat McAfee Show,” Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns commented on Paul Heyman’s induction into the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame and who he believes should induct him. He said,
“That sounds like double pay to me. We have to think of the business side here. I’ll speak for the Wiseman and say we’ll take a double pay. Whoever does it, they need to be authentic. They need to tell their story of Paul. There is going to be a lot of facts and history you can lay down with the Wiseman, all the way from the beginnings with the giant phone to being the advocate to being my special counsel. Whoever does it just needs to be themselves and tell the truth. Paul is an incredible man, an unbelievable man. What he’s done in this business and his personal life. I know well because I work with him and am good friends with him. I have the utmost respect for him. Nobody deserves a Hall of Fame induction more than him. Paul is like a performance enhancer. He’s like a PED. He makes you feel more comfortable. He knows what it’s like to be on the marquee. He’s worked around it and in it his whole life. He knows how to say those little things. It’s like a director, you’re about to go into this huge monologue and he hits you with a couple things to put the skin on to where you can feel the true emotions of that moment and be authentic.“
During a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet for the “Insight” podcast, AJ Francis commented on his time working in WWE and how Paul Heyman often went to bat for him. He said,
“Paul Heyman used to stand up for me a lot. And Paul Heyman would say they can’t see the difference between what John Cena and Max Caster and what you’re doing. When LA Knight had that 2 million view video on YouTube in 24 hours from the Madison Square Garden dark show, we were in the segment with him. No one ever gave us our flowers for that. I would send him my videos, and he would love them. I would send other people my videos and they would love them, but they just would never put them on TV.“
Paul Heyman, the legendary wrestling manager and advocate, is set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2024. This news has been met with excitement and anticipation from both fans and fellow wrestlers alike. One person who is particularly thrilled about Heyman’s induction is none other than the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.
During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Reigns expressed his thoughts on Heyman’s upcoming induction and shared his opinion on who should induct him. Reigns humorously mentioned that he believes Heyman’s induction should come with double pay, highlighting the business side of professional wrestling. However, he also emphasized the importance of authenticity in the induction speech.
Reigns stated that whoever has the honor of inducting Heyman should be genuine and tell the story of Paul Heyman accurately. He acknowledged the rich history and facts associated with Heyman’s career, from his early days with the giant phone to his role as Reigns’ special counsel. Reigns praised Heyman’s incredible contributions to the wrestling industry and his personal life, emphasizing his respect and admiration for him.
Reigns compared Heyman to a performance enhancer, stating that he makes wrestlers feel more comfortable and knows how to bring out true emotions in pivotal moments. He likened Heyman to a director who adds depth and authenticity to a wrestler’s performance, allowing them to connect with the audience on a deeper level.
In another interview with Chris Van Vliet for the “Insight” podcast, AJ Francis, a former WWE wrestler, also spoke highly of Paul Heyman. Francis revealed that Heyman often stood up for him and recognized his talent. He mentioned instances where Heyman compared his work to that of established stars like John Cena and Max Caster. Francis appreciated Heyman’s support but expressed frustration that his videos were not given the exposure they deserved on television.
Heyman’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame is a testament to his immense contributions to the wrestling industry. Throughout his career, he has showcased his exceptional skills as a manager, promoter, and creative mind. Heyman’s ability to connect with both wrestlers and fans has made him a beloved figure in the wrestling community.
As fans eagerly await Heyman’s induction ceremony, it is clear that his impact on the industry will be celebrated and honored. From his early days as a promoter to his current role as Roman Reigns’ advocate, Paul Heyman has left an indelible mark on professional wrestling. His induction into the WWE Hall of Fame is a well-deserved recognition of his talent, dedication, and influence in the world of sports entertainment.