Paul Heyman Responds to Stephen A. Smith Over Manager Label

The ESPN Critique That Sparked a Social Media War

On October 8, 2026, World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Famer Paul Heyman publicly responded on X to comments made by Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s First Take, rejecting Smith’s assertion that he has become softer and taking strict issue with being labeled a manager. Smith stated on the morning sports talk program that Heyman had lost his edge and become too likable over recent months, prompting a direct rebuke from the veteran wrestling personality.

The public back-and-forth began when Smith used a segment on First Take to address Heyman directly, arguing that the long-standing heel figure had drifted away from the persona that made him famous. According to Smith’s on-air remarks, everyone in the audience is supposed to hate a traditional villain, but Heyman had become too fixated on being liked. Smith told viewers that he was disappointed in how Heyman’s character had evolved, claiming the veteran had lost a touch of his luster during recent months.

Behind-the-Scenes Crossover Ambitions

This television commentary follows earlier crossover flirtations between the sports media personality and the sports entertainment giant. Back in April, Smith appeared on First Take alongside Roman Reigns ahead of WrestleMania 42, where the two joked about a potential meeting regarding Smith entering the wrestling space. Later in May, Smith claimed on the same ESPN program that he could operate as WWE’s top heel under Heyman’s guidance and even offered to manage Reigns.

Behind the scenes, Fightful Select’s WrestleVotes reported in April that ESPN leadership was enthusiastic about Smith taking on a larger participatory role with WWE as part of their ongoing broadcasting partnership, though no official on-screen assignment has been confirmed by the company.

Defining the Legacy: Advocate, Oracle, or Wiseman

Heyman rejected both the critique of his demeanor and the title used by the program. In an exchange posted to X, Heyman told the show and its host that he would address the remarks soon. He wrote that while people can refer to him by several specific titles—including WWE Hall of Famer, Advocate, Oracle, the Wiseman, or the GOAT—calling him a manager is inaccurate. Heyman punctuated the correction by comparing that mislabeling to calling ESPN merely a TV station.

Heyman Mocks Smith on Instagram

Yahoo Sports noted that Heyman extended the argument to the official Instagram account of First Take, where the program had shared the clip of Smith’s critique. In the comments section of that post, Heyman offered sarcastic congratulations to Smith for what he characterized as an audition for a monologue on Saturday Night Live, dismissing the television segment as a hot take rather than genuine analysis before reiterating his intent to answer the remarks on camera.

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