Paul Heyman’s position as the trusted wiseman for WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns has recently become available after tension and betrayal led to a split between the two. This opening emerged following Heyman’s alignment with Seth Rollins at WrestleMania, leaving Reigns in search of new counsel amid ongoing challenges. During a recent interview, Roman Reigns hinted that sports commentator Stephen A. Smith might be a viable contender for this key role.
The Role of a Manager in Wrestling: Reigns Shares His Perspective
On ESPN’s First Take, Roman Reigns was asked by Stephen A. Smith about the significance of managers in wrestling careers and how they contribute to the promotion’s success. Reigns emphasized the importance of this dynamic, particularly in driving weekly storylines and creating emotional investment among fans through clear-cut hero and villain matchups. He explained how the classic good versus evil setup remains essential in captivating audiences and maintaining momentum in WWE’s episodic format.
“I think it’s everything. I mean, you know, just the other night we ended on heat, you know what I mean? So, everybody’s mad at the situation. I think that drives forward, you know, from a weekly standpoint. This is episodic, so we need to have next week ready, you know, we need to have that bacon, and that’s a part of it. It’s good versus evil is kind of the way we started in 2025. There’s a lot of gray area, but I still think the best matchups are when the good guy goes against the bad guy. When it’s a universally hated bad guy against a universally loved good guy, it just makes such a magic.”
Stephen A. Smith’s Playful Pitch to Become WWE’s New Wiseman
Molly Qerim, co-host of First Take, jokingly suggested that Stephen A. Smith was actively campaigning to fill the wiseman role in WWE, leveraging the partnership between WWE and ESPN. Recognizing the layered nature of the question, Roman Reigns acknowledged that he currently does not have a wiseman. When asked if this was Smith’s moment to “level up” his career by assuming that position, Reigns responded teasingly:
“Something tells me the bridge was made specifically for you.”
The interaction revealed Smith’s curiosity about the vacant role, despite his busy professional life. He credited WWE’s leadership, including Nick Khan, for orchestrating the ESPN partnership and clarified he did not influence those arrangements himself.
Roman Reigns Confirms His Break With Paul Heyman and Opportunity for Replacement
Reigns described Paul Heyman as no longer being aligned with him, openly calling him “a piece of trash” and affirming that the trusted advisor role is available for someone new. The candid exchange acknowledged the vacancy created by Heyman’s betrayal and hinted at the need for someone with substantial wisdom and experience to fill the gap.
“[Stephen]: You know, I wish I was, but I was not. the geniuses that work, that run this company, along with the great Nick Khan, because he is great. I mean, they have all more to do with it. But I must say when I think about Paul Heyman, I do feel like, you know, step up in there. There is room.
[Roman]: I completely agree. He’s a piece of trash.
[Stephen]: Yeah?
[Roman]: Oh, yeah. We’re not on the same page anymore. Last time I was here, we were like this, and it’s not like that anymore. So, there’s definitely a job over there’s some space to be filled, if you know what I mean.
[Stephen]: Yeah. You know that is intriguing. I mean, I have jobs. I’m a very busy man.
[Roman]: But that brings on great experience. And that’s what we need is we need a little bit of wisdom. Somebody to counsel. Somebody that we can tap into.”
Expertise and Charisma Position Smith as a Potential Candidate
Stephen A. Smith’s extensive background as a prominent television host and commentator equips him with skills that could translate well to WWE managing, should he choose to accept the role. Roman Reigns hinted that Smith’s experience handling multiple responsibilities is an asset, making him a strong candidate to support the Tribal Chief with guidance and counsel.
Though their dialogue seemed light-hearted, it underscored an intriguing opportunity within WWE’s evolving storyline and real-life leadership dynamics, as Reigns navigates the aftermath of Heyman’s defection and explores new alliances to strengthen his position.
Significance of Filling the Wiseman Role for Roman Reigns and WWE
The vacancy left by Paul Heyman is pivotal for Roman Reigns, who relies on his manager’s strategic counsel to maintain dominance as the WWE Universal Champion. The transition could affect storylines, wrestler dynamics, and audience engagement moving forward. Incorporating an unexpected figure such as Stephen A. Smith could introduce fresh energy and intrigue to WWE’s presentation, especially considering the ongoing collaboration with ESPN. The potential appointment may influence how WWE blends sports commentary and wrestling entertainment.
As Reigns continues to face challenges within WWE, the arrival of a new wiseman could stabilize his leadership and renew his narrative arc, ensuring the Tribal Chief remains central in WWE programming.
