6 Years Ago Today, Roman Reigns Formed an Alliance With Paul Heyman That Changed WWE Forever

Six years ago, Roman Reigns made one of the most important decisions of his WWE career — aligning himself with Paul Heyman and officially beginning the era of The Tribal Chief. Following his shocking return at SummerSlam 2020, Roman Reigns had completely reinvented himself. Gone was the beloved “Big Dog.” In his place stood a ruthless, calculated superstar who demanded acknowledgment and was determined to prove that WWE revolved around him. But Roman knew he needed someone who understood the business, someone who could manipulate the landscape and make sure his dominance extended beyond the ring. Enter Paul Heyman. The alliance between Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman instantly felt different. Heyman became Roman’s “Wise Man,” serving as the mastermind behind The Tribal Chief while Roman handled business inside the ring. Together, they created one of the most dominant forces WWE had seen in years. From Roman capturing the Universal Championship to defeating some of WWE’s biggest stars, establishing The Bloodline and eventually becoming the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Heyman remained by his side through it all. What began as a shocking alliance in 2020 eventually became one of the defining partnerships of the modern era. Six years later, it’s hard to imagine The Tribal Chief without his Wise Man.