Paul Heyman has played a major role in bringing prominence to countless professional wrestlers, but he has never seen a roster on par with what the wwe currently has.
Heyman has worn many hats in his nearly four decades in professional wrestling. He spent eight years leading Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and was the head writer for wwe SmackDown in 2002 and 2003. Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, John Cena and Rob Van Dam are just a few of the athletes who worked under Heyman. You could fill a Hall of Fame class just with the superstars he’s coached. The quality of talent Heyman has worked with makes his reverence for the current wwe roster so significant.
“We have the most complete and talented roster in the history of the industry,” Heyman boasted when speaking with CBS Sports.
Heyman primarily works alongside Roman Reigns on The Bloodline, but his status as The Wiseman extends behind the scenes. Heyman says it’s “no secret” that many of today’s talents seek out his experience.
“I love doing it,” Heyman said. “There are very few veterans available during the show for instant feedback or closing remarks. I’ve survived this industry long enough now that I’m the old guy. So I’m the old guy they ask to impart wisdom to them.”
Heyman gave a passionate speech praising today’s squad. He highlighted the evolution of world heavyweight champion Gunther, particularly the seriousness with which “The Ring General” speaks, and the unmatched drive of intercontinental champion Bron Breakker.
“I look at today’s roster in amazement,” Heyman said. “I see that Gunther, for whom English is his second language, masters the language quickly. He knows how to engage an audience and can now modulate his voice to control the emotions in the room. And you have to think that he is still translating this in his head before it leaves your mouth.
“Bron Breakker’s weekly growth is absolutely mind-blowing and inspiring. Anyone around him is inspired to up their game because he is so driven and ambitious.”
Heyman was equally complimentary about the women’s division. Specifically, she praised the long-running feud between women’s world champion Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley.
“How can you look at 2024 and not envy anyone who gets to act in a scene with Liv Morgan?” Heyman said. “My goodness, what he’s done with his character in the last six or seven months deserves a deep look in terms of the nuances and idiosyncrasies he allows to seep into the audience while maintaining the role of antagonist.
“And on the other hand, how can you watch a scene with Rhea Ripley and not say, ‘I would love to be in a scene with her? I would love to play that character and that person and her presentation of herself to the audience.”
Heyman also recognized wwe Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens, who will face off in December’s Saturday Night Main Event, as well as Survivor Series performers CM Punk, Damian Priest, Jey Uso and Sami Zayn.
The wwe Hall of Famer identified chief content officer Paul Levesque, also known as Triple H, as the common denominator for the strength of the current roster. Heyman, who historically clashed with wwe‘s previous regime, welcomed Levesque’s desire to collaborate with talent and tone down his strengths.
“We are led by a creative visionary like Paul Levesque who loves collaborating with these talents to find not only their inner greatness, but also the greatness they leave on the table and forget at home,” Heyman said. “It’s an inspiring creative environment that allows all of these talents to flourish today.
“I am without a doubt the biggest fan of this cast known as wwe Raw, SmackDown and NXT that I think you will ever find.”