Inside The Moment: Roman Reigns calls Paul Heyman

The closing segment of this past Friday's SmackDown was superb

Courtesy WWE

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Extra Mustard is a weekly column looking at the highs and lows–and everything in between–in combat sports and beyond.

Pro wrestling fans are watching history unfold.

In real-time, Roman Reigns is transforming from wrestling’s preeminent villain into its top babyface.

This past Friday on SmackDown, in just 50 seconds, Reigns further positioned himself as the most popular wrestler in the world. Dejected, beaten, and vulnerable after getting a beatdown from Solo Sikoa and the new Bloodline, Reigns reached out to the ace up his sleeve–Paul Heyman.

A simple command to his phone, one that Heyman used to perfection, was echoed when Reigns said, “Call The Wiseman.”

But the call never went through. Heyman’s number was out of service.

Of course, Heyman is a critical part of Reigns’ work behind the scenes, which adds another compelling layer to this story. With this caliber of nuanced storytelling, you know Heyman is behind it. And it adds another degree of authenticity to a storyline that is already the most compelling in all of wrestling.

As champion, Reigns’ character was self-absorbed. Small moments are now being established to humanize Reigns–but he is still dealing with the consequences of his past actions. Reigns has become a tribal chief without a tribe, and that is more than just playful wording of a catchphrase.

Once Reigns came back, he had no support. He’d either harmed his relationship (The Usos) or savagely beaten (Sami Zayn) those who once stood proudly in his corner. That meant he had no other choice than to rely on Cody Rhodes, his fiercest rival.

Jimmy Uso came back to help Reigns, but a fascinating detail was that it was on his own accord. Reigns never apologized for mistreating or undervaluing him. It was Jimmy Uso who then went out and recruited Jey Uso and Sami Zayn to help Reigns against Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tanga Loa–a group that has now added Bronson Reed to the mix. Reigns didn’t bring anyone back. He has yet to atone for his actions.

But in order to get Heyman back, Reigns will have to be the one doing the heavy lifting.

The next step in his redemption arc is seeking out The Wiseman.