Why Paul Heyman Has Vanished From WWE

Roman Reigns' little mate has been conspicuous by his absence from WWE SmackDown.

by Andy H Murray
Paul Heyman
WWE.com

Paul Heyman has been kept off WWE television in recent weeks to sell the damage done at SummerSlam 2022.

This is per Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Heyman ate an F5 during the 30 July premium live event, with Brock Lesnar launching his former 'Advocate' across ringside and into the announce table.

Heyman's epic bump was part of a wild, unruly stunt show of a Last Man Standing main event pitting Paul's current managerial client, Roman Reigns, against Lesnar for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Reigns successfully retained the belt in a bout that saw all manner of crazy stunts, including Lesnar using a tractor to lift one corner of the ring several metres from the ground.

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In his report, Meltzer adds that Heyman will likely return as a future surprise.

Reigns is currently booked to defend his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle on 3 September. This is WWE's first major stadium show since SummerSlam 1992, with McIntyre, a Scotsman, slotted in as the babyface challenger in the UK. WWE has thus far shifted around 63,000 tickets for the 71,810-capacity show.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.