Paul Heyman’s WWE Career Retrospective
By Chris Baker
For decades, Paul Heyman has been sailing through the professional wrestling industry.
“The greatest manager in history” is a term frequently used to describe Paul Heyman, and history proves exactly why this is so true. This infamous figure has shaped sports entertainment in extraordinary ways, to the point where his accomplishments have paved the way for professional wrestling.
One of Heyman’s strengths is his ability to speak on the microphone. “Ladies and gentleman, my name is Paul Heyman” is one of pro wrestling’s best catch-phrases. While managing dozens of wrestlers, Heyman has always used his words to prove both himself and his clients.
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Perhaps his most notable achievement is his tenure with Eastern Championship Wrestling, which later became known as Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).
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Heyman and the term “extreme” can be connected to Vince McMahon and “attitude”, as the two promoters had business correlations since 1996.
The ECW reunion pay-per-view, One Night Stand 2005 relied heavily on Heyman, who was involved in its booking. Fans displayed their respect for him when they chanted, “Thank you Paul!”.
Briefly in 2001, Heyman worked as a commentator for the World Wrestling Federation. During that same year, he found himself involved in The Alliance angle. 2002 and 2003 were big years for Heyman as a manager. He led Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, and Big Show all to WWE title reigns.
Heyman then replaced Stephanie McMahon as General Manager of Smackdown!. Unlike other GMs, Heyman was on the creative end, too, as the brand’s head writer.
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ECW was relaunched as a third WWE brand in 2006. Heyman had a long and eventful year, as he became a figure for his former clients, Rob Van Dam and Kurt Angle. These on-screen partnerships did not last very long, however, and neither did his time with WWE (not forever, that is).
After major disagreements with Vince McMahon, Heyman took a break from the company.
Heyman went six years without WWE, until he returned to WWE programming in May of 2012. He aligned himself once again with Brock Lesnar. Months went by, and a feud broiled between Triple H and The Beast Incarnate.
While this rivalry went on, Paul started to manage another main event Superstar, CM Punk, who is the longest-reigning WWE Championship of the past 25 years. Much credit for Punk’s success can be given to Heyman.
Triple H would beat Lesnar at WrestleMania 29, leading to an end of the feud. Heyman continued to manage Punk and later Curtis Axel.
In the midst of some on-and-off partnerships with clients, Heyman remained the advocate of Brock Lesnar, who would become the “conqueror of the Undertaker’s undefeated streak”. Lesnar would proceed to beat John Cena for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Summerslam 2014 that lasted until WrestleMania 31.
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Currently, Heyman is still aligned with Lesnar, who both hope to make a huge 2016 comeback.
Over his career of 30 years and counting, Paul Heyman has proved to be one of the most important figures that professional wrestling has ever seen.
As a promoter, manager, and commentator, he is one of the most accomplished men to ever be involved in the business.