The promo segment on RAW between Cody Rhodes and Paul Heyman has drawn praise from around the pro wrestling world. We have some backstage notes to share on how the segment came together, and the internal reactions to it.
Fightful reported that the Rhodes/Heyman segment was the product of looser scripting, something that’s been the norm since Vince McMahon stepped away from WWE Creative. Some of the promo bits caught Paul Heyman by surprise, according to those close to him. No one had communicated to Heyman the importance of Dusty’s ECW bookings to the Rhodes family, according to those close to Cody.
For those familiar with the segment, it’s said that Rhodes wrote his promo, Heyman wrote his, and then the two men blended them in the ring. Higher-ups and officials were thrilled with how it came together, particularly because it’s the marquee match-up for this year’s WrestleMania pay-per-view event.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the segment was different from what was originally planned. At one point, Heyman wasn’t even booked for the show. Heyman was in Orlando, FL because Brock Lesnar happened to be, and Heyman is involved with creative segments for Lesnar and Ronda Rousey.
