Former WWE Personality Lauds Paul Heyman’s Impact on Her Career Calling Him One of “ Wrestling’s Brilliant Minds”

The world of wrestling and WWE is no stranger to praises and recently, former WWE backstage interviewer, Kayla Baxter is attracting all the attention for her words of praise for her ex- co-worker, the WWE Manager, Paul Heyman. Baxter recalled their professional camaraderie, changes in their professional relationship, and the positive influence that Heyman had on her.Let’s break down what she had to say and Heyman’s response.
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Braxton Positively Reflects on Her Impactful Partnership with Heyman

Kayla Becker aka Kayla Braxton is notable for her contribution to WWE as a backstage interviewer. Recently, she is gaining widesspread attention for showering praises on Paul Heyman, reflecting on the impactful partnership they shared during their time on the company’s famous show, 'Talking Smack'. Kayla Braxton, who started hosting 'Talking Smack' alongside Paul Heyman in November 2020, quickly built a strong and entertaining equation with the wrestling veteran.
Their chemistry was a big hit with fans, making the show one of WWE's popular pieces. However, they parted ways in 2021 when Heyman was removed due to the management’s desire to put him alongside Roman Reigns. Braxton eventually left in 2024 to pursue her career outside of wrestling.
In an interview with Denise Salcedo on ‘Instinct Culture,’ Braxter said positive things about Heyman’s influence on her career and broadcasting style. Praising Heyman’s wealth of experience in the industry, she said, “One of the most, if not the most, brilliant mind in wrestling. Paul’s been around for forever, for many different leaderships and eras of wrestling. [Our relationship] really happened very organically back during the ThunderDome era, during the pandemic, when they put us together on Talking Smack.”
She went to state that their relationship grew organically. Initially frustrated by Heyman’s presence, her attitude changed as they progressed with working together. Detailing about her experiences and their partnership, she said,
“So when we had the panel show, I didn’t really know Paul. I hadn’t worked with Paul that much at the time. I just knew that this really big, loud man was on my kickoff show all of a sudden taking up all my airtime, and I was getting really frustrated with him, but then the more I got to work with him — I would not have become the broadcaster I had become if it weren’t for Paul Heyman.
From there, we’d create little mini storylines on the panel, which a lot of times, Talking Smack, things that would happen on there, even that Renee Paquette, then Renee Young, Daniel Bryan, things would end up on TV and storylines. So that’s kind of what inched our way into this whole Bloodline feud that I had.
There were a lot of times we’d be going live, I’d be handed a script of what to say in my interview, and Paul’s like, ‘You don’t need that.’ I’m like, ‘Yo, we’re going live,’ and I don’t know if I can just tell them in the truck, ‘Hey, I’m not saying that, but we would just go off the cuff,’ and anything Paul touched turned to gold. So, yeah, it was really fun.
That’s also something that’s really special, and that not a lot of people can say, is that they got to work that closely with the ‘Wise Man,'”
In response to her remarks, Heyman playfully acknowledged his former broadcast partner on social media. "Thank you Mssssssssss. Braxton (and I appreciate the fact your sapiosexual lust for me is still on full display)!" Heyman teased, showing that his signature humor was still intact.
As reported by ‘PWInsider’, Paul Heyman was backstage at Bad Blood and heavily involved in the creative direction of Roman Reigns’ storyline. While Heyman hasn’t appeared on TV since being attacked by The Bloodline on the June 28 episode of SmackDown, his influence behind the scenes remains strong.
Also Read: Paul Heyman opens up on declining TNA offer after leaving WWE