Jim Ross On How Much Paul Heyman Helped Roman Reigns & Brock Lesnar

On the latest episode of Grilling JR, Jim Ross was asked to weigh in on the online debate over whether Roman Reigns belongs in the greatest-of-all-time conversation, and how much of his run is owed to Paul Heyman. Heyman has been a guiding creative force in both men’s careers, and served as a mouthpiece on screen. You can check out his comments below:

On Paul Heyman’s Value To Talent He Manages:

“Paul Heyman is invaluable to getting talent over. He’s the Bobby Heenan of this generation, as it relates to bringing a focus to the individual that he’s managing. You notice we talked earlier about tag teams and priorities and who you hire. Heyman hasn’t managed a tag team of any sincerity in years, because he knows that his time is well spent with a single, like Brock Lesnar for example, or Roman Reigns. What he does off camera and behind the scenes with his talents, and with other talents, we’ll never know. I know a lot more than a lot of people because I’ve worked behind the scenes. Paul contributes mightily to the build of his talents.”

On What Heyman Did For Brock Lesnar:

“He helped Brock Lesnar immensely. Immensely. But you’re not dealing with a raw piece of clay either with Lesnar. He was special. There’ll never be another Brock Lesnar. You look at the listing of his accolades, Conrad — it’ll never be topped. Ever. And you say, ‘Well, you can’t say ever, never.’ Well, I can, because I don’t think there’ll be too many NWA champions or WWE champions that went on to became UFC champion or any of those other things he did. He’s just special, and Heyman made sure that he stayed special, because the more special Lesnar is, the more money Heyman makes. And I know Paul Heyman very well, and he really does like to make money, and he’s good at it.”

On Whether Heyman Gets His Due:

“I think he does get the credit sometimes. Maybe now he might be getting it because of the online stuff and social media spreading the word. But he’s exceptional. He’s exceptional, and he helps those guys so much with their promos and their psychology — ‘or try this,’ or ‘I don’t think you should do that.’ Whatever. It’s amazing. It’s a gift to have him in your corner.”

On Roman Reigns & the GOAT Conversation:

“Now, as far as Roman is concerned, I love the kid. I think he’s great for the business. I think he’s great for WWE. He looks like a champion. He represents well. But I don’t know what you mean by greatest of all time or whatever. I don’t know that he’ll ever be considered the greatest of all time. But he’s always going to be considered as someone that had a great run, and has had a Hall of Fame career, without question.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit the Grilling JR podcast with an h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.