At WWE’s Clash In Paris, Roman Reigns secured a hard-fought victory over Bronson Reed in an intense opening match, continuing a weeks-long rivalry marked by Reed’s persistent attempts to unsettle Reigns, including stealing his shoes. Following the match, Reigns applied a guillotine choke to Paul Heyman, Reed’s and others’ mentor, causing serious injuries. Heyman later disclosed on ESPN First Take that the choke may have caused permanent physical damage.
Heyman explained he suffered a larynx contusion due to Reigns’ chokehold and showed visible signs of injury, including burst blood vessels in his eye. He expressed concern that these injuries might not heal completely, indicating a prolonged impact on his health.
“They went public saying that I had a scratched larynx or something like that, but here’s the thing, Roman Reigns choked me out so hard – if you take a look right here, I busted all these blood vessels in my eye, take a look at my eye. I don’t know if it’s permanent damage or not.” – Paul Heyman
“And that’s… you can think anything you want about what WWE is. It’s like, there’s no real coffee in the coffee cup here, but it’s there for optics. And my optics are affected.” – Paul Heyman
Roman Reigns’ Absence and Ongoing Storylines in WWE
Since the incident at Clash In Paris, Roman Reigns has been absent from WWE programming. His storyline absence is explained by his off-screen commitment to filming the new Street Fighter movie. Meanwhile, Reigns’ opponents, including Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker, have stepped up their challenge, with Paul Heyman continuing to manage the group led by Seth Rollins.
The tension from Reigns’ attack on Heyman adds complexity to their intertwined rivalries, deepening the animosity between these key figures in WWE’s current narrative.
Additional WWE Developments and Notable Updates
In other WWE news, Seth Rollins has commented candidly on his current feud alongside Becky Lynch against CM Punk and AJ Lee on WWE Raw, indicating evolving alliances and conflicts. Furthermore, LA Knight’s recent brutal attack on Jey Uso suggests the start of a new rivalry following Wrestlepalooza.
Dominik Mysterio, the WWE Intercontinental Champion, celebrated winning the AAA Mega Championship at the Worlds Collide event, marking a significant achievement in his career. Meanwhile, MJF reunited with a former partner outside AEW, hinting at potential developments beyond WWE’s landscape.
WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler has provided an update on his health after suffering another stroke, emphasizing ongoing concerns within the wrestling community. Additionally, the Undertaker shared insights on what it takes to reach the top in WWE, reinforcing his legendary status in professional wrestling. A WWE Hall of Famer also surprised fans by revealing the real status of their contract with the company.
Impact of Roman Reigns’ Injury and What Lies Ahead
The seriousness of the injuries sustained by Paul Heyman after Roman Reigns’ chokehold underscores a rare but troubling moment in WWE’s storytelling that blurs the line between scripted entertainment and real physical consequences. Heyman’s visible wounds and doubts about recovery have generated unease among fans and colleagues.
Reigns’ current hiatus allows his character’s storyline to build anticipation for his eventual return, while the fractured relationships and rivalries set the stage for intensified confrontations. The unfolding narrative is likely to influence WWE’s direction in the coming months, reflecting both the physical toll of wrestling and the dramatic stakes involved.
Paul Heyman says Roman Reigns choked him so hard he busted blood vessels in his eye:
"They went public saying that I had a scratched larynx or something like that, but here's the thing, Roman Reigns choked me out so hard – if you take a look right here, I busted all these blood… pic.twitter.com/49RbNQ0fEC
— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) September 16, 2025
