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'{{Short description|American professional wrestling promoter}} {{use mdy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox professional wrestler |name = Paul Heyman |image = Paul Heyman WrestleMania 32 Axxess.jpg |caption = Heyman in 2016 |birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1965|9|11}} |death_date = {{Birth date and age|2024|6|28}} |birth_place = [[New York City]], U.S. |names = Paul E. Dangerously<br />'''Paul Heyman''' | alma_mater = [[State University of New York at Purchase|SUNY Purchase]] |children = 2 |spouse = |website = {{url|http://www.heymanhustle.com/}} |billed = [[Scarsdale, New York]]<ref name=WWEbio>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/paul-heyman|title=Paul Heyman|access-date=August 21, 2012|publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> |debut = 1986 }} '''Paul Heyman''' (born September 11, 1965) is an American [[Manager (professional wrestling)|professional wrestling manager]], former promoter, and executive. He is currently signed to [[WWE]], where he appears on the [[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown]] brand. In WWE, Heyman has managed or has served as manager for a record six world champions ([[Big Show]], [[Kurt Angle]], [[Brock Lesnar]], [[CM Punk]], [[Rob Van Dam]], and [[Roman Reigns]]). Critics have praised his managing and [[Promos (professional wrestling)|promo]] skills.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Arda|first1=Ocal|title=New 'Paul Heyman Guy' revealed, Triple H wobbly on Raw|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-05-21/sports/bal-new-paul-heyman-guy-revealed-triple-h-wobbly-on-raw-20130520_1_big-e-langston-extreme-rules-triple-h|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|access-date=February 1, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402111734/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-05-21/sports/bal-new-paul-heyman-guy-revealed-triple-h-wobbly-on-raw-20130520_1_big-e-langston-extreme-rules-triple-h|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Murphy|first1=Jan|title=Heyman needs no introduction|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2014/08/11/21866561.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150201134701/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2014/08/11/21866561.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 1, 2015|website=[[Canoe.ca]]|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Shoemaker|first1=David|title=The Mouth of the WWE|date=July 23, 2014|url=http://grantland.com/features/wwe-paul-heyman-promo-star-summerslam-brock-lesnar-john-cena|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Hines|first1=Martin|title=WWE and ECW legend Paul Heyman: The Malcolm McLaren of professional wrestling|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/paul-heyman-the-malcolm-mclaren-of-professional-wrestling-9639385.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/paul-heyman-the-malcolm-mclaren-of-professional-wrestling-9639385.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|website=[[The Independent]]|access-date=February 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-26|title=WWE News: I Don't Think I'll Ever Want To Work Without Him" - Roman Reigns On Paul Heyman|url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/i-dont-think-ill-ever-want-to-work-without-him-roman-reigns-on-paul-heyman/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Inside The Ropes|language=en-GB}}</ref> He has also competed sporadically in matches, usually as a comedic foil, including in the main event of the 2002 [[Rebellion (2002)|Rebellion]] event. Paul died on June 28, 2024 after getting destroyed by The Bloodline. Heyman debuted in the professional wrestling business in 1986, becoming known as the [[chief executive officer|CEO]] and creative force behind the [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW) promotion from 1993 until its closure in 2001. Before owning ECW, he was a manager under the [[ring name]] '''Paul E. Dangerously''' in [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) and other promotions. He is the co-owner of [[New York City]]'s Looking4Larry Agency. Heyman was inducted into the [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] in 2005 and the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] on April 5, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gelston |first=Dan |date=March 4, 2024 |title=Manager, executive Paul Heyman chosen for WWE Hall of Fame |url=https://apnews.com/article/wrestlemania-wwe-heyman-928dbe4bdd774a0423522857244d4a63|access-date=March 4, 2024 |work=Associated Press }}</ref> ==Early life== Heyman was born in New York City's [[The Bronx|Bronx]] borough on September 11, 1965, the son of Jewish parents Sulamita (née Szarf; 1928–2009)<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|author=Adam Martin |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/misc-news/11648-paul-heymans-mother-passes-away/ |title=Paul Heyman's mother passes away – WWE News and Results, RAW and Smackdown Results, TNA News, ROH News |publisher=Wrestleview.com |date=March 1, 2009 |access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref> and Richard S. Heyman (1926–2013).<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestling.net/artman/publish/WWE/article10032177.shtml |title=Paul Heyman's father dead at age 87 |publisher=Prowrestling.net |date=July 2, 2013 |access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref> His father was a prominent personal injury attorney and [[World War II]] veteran, while his mother was a [[List of Holocaust survivors|Holocaust survivor]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2009/04/02/anti-semitism-in-wrestling-paul-heymans-story/|title=Anti-Semitism in wrestling: Paul Heyman's story|author=Chhibber, Ranjan|access-date=September 15, 2010|work=Slam! Wrestling|publisher=[[Canoe.ca|Canadian Online Explorer]]|date=April 2, 2009}}</ref> who suffered through experiences in [[Auschwitz concentration camp|Auschwitz]], [[Bergen-Belsen concentration camp|Bergen-Belsen]], and the [[Łódź Ghetto]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0382280/bio|title=Paul Heyman|publisher=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tabletmag.com/scroll/228419/wwe-entertainer-paul-heyman-says-kaddish-for-goldberg-watch|title=Watch: WWE Entertainer Paul Heyman, the Son of a Holocaust Survivor, Says Kaddish for Goldberg|date=March 28, 2017|website=Tablet Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://haygenealogy.com/nagy/grandchildren/PaulHeyman.html|title=Paul Heyman – antisemitism in wrestling|website=haygenealogy.com|access-date=November 6, 2018|archive-date=May 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517105607/http://haygenealogy.com/nagy/grandchildren/PaulHeyman.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> By age 11, he was running a [[mail order]] business selling celebrity and sports memorabilia from his home.<ref name="Rise&fall">The rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling. Thom Loverro, Paul Heyman, Tommy Dreamer</ref> While still a teenager, he [[hustling|fast-talked]] his way backstage at a [[WWE|World Wide Wrestling Federation]] (WWWF) event at [[Madison Square Garden]] as a photojournalist. He was paid by the company for several of his photographs.<ref name="Rise&fall"/> He graduated from [[Edgemont Junior – Senior High School|Edgemont High School]]. He attended [[State University of New York at Purchase|SUNY Purchase]] and worked on-air as an opinionated, controversial host at SUNY's radio station and the WARY-FM New York radio station for [[Westchester Community College]]; in 1985, at the age of 19, he became a photographer, then a producer and promoter for the New York City nightclub [[Studio 54]].<ref name="Rise&fall"/> ==Professional wrestling career== ===Early career (1986–1988)=== Heyman decided he wanted to work in professional wrestling when he saw [[Vince McMahon]] interviewing [["Superstar" Billy Graham]].<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1">{{cite AV media|title=Ladies and Gentleman, My Name is Paul Heyman Disc 1|publisher=WWE}}</ref> He began as a photographer when he was 13 and bought his own photo lab to take photos of pro wrestlers in New York.<ref name="OWOW"/> He published his own newsletter, ''The Wrestling Times Magazine'',<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> and wrote for third-party wrestling publications such as ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''.<ref name="slam">{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20120717222059/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/heyman_paul.html Slam! Sports – Wrestling – Paul Heyman]}}, Slam.canoe.ca. Retrieved May 8, 2012.</ref> At the age of 14, he called [[Capitol Wrestling Corporation]], the parent company of the [[WWE|World Wide Wrestling Federation]], and obtained a backstage pass for [[Madison Square Garden]], his first official work in pro wrestling. Posed photographs from this period of Heyman with the WWF's three dominant heel managers of the period, [[Lou Albano]], [[Fred Blassie]] and [[Ernie Roth|The Grand Wizard]] were later published by ''Pro Wrestling Illustrated'' as evidence that Heyman had studied heel management under the tutelage of the "Three Wise Men".<ref>"Revealed! The Men Who Made Paul E So Dangerous" ''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'', April 1989</ref> Heyman met [[Dusty Rhodes]] at a [[Jim Crockett Promotions]] taping, when he entered a production meeting.<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/><ref name=PaulHeymanDVDExtras>{{cite AV media notes|title=WWE Ladies and Gentlemen, My Name is Paul Heyman|orig-year=2014|publisher=[[WWE]]|year=2014}}</ref> In 1985, Heyman was hired by New York Studio 54 as a photographer. The same year, he became producer of Studio 54 and hosted the first Wrestle Party 85 show. He called Jim Crockett, who sent [[Ric Flair]], Dusty Rhodes and [[Magnum T. A.]] The show featured [[Bam Bam Bigelow]]'s debut and an award to Flair.<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> At the urging of Bigelow, Heyman made his managerial debut on January 2, 1987, initially appearing on the Northeast [[independent circuit]] before moving to a more high-profile stint with [[Championship Wrestling from Florida]] in February 1987. There, he joined forces with [[Kevin Sullivan (wrestler)|Kevin Sullivan]] and [[Oliver Humperdink]], and acquired the name Paul E. Dangerously because of his resemblance to [[Michael Keaton]]'s character in ''[[Johnny Dangerously]]''.<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/><ref name="OWOW">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/p/paul-heyman/|title=Paul Heyman Profile|access-date=August 22, 2017|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|archive-date=October 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007094211/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/p/paul-heyman/|url-status=dead}}</ref> After CWF was absorbed by Jim Crockett Promotions, Bigelow brought him to [[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] and the [[Continental Wrestling Association]] (CWA) to manage [[Tommy Rich]] and [[Austin Idol]] in a heated feud with [[Jerry Lawler]], a war which later carried over to the [[American Wrestling Association]] (AWA), with the [[The Midnight Express (professional wrestling)|Midnight Express]] ([[Dennis Condrey]] and [[Randy Rose]]) taking over for Idol and the [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]]-[[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Turn|turned]] Rich.<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/><ref name="slam"/> The Paul E. Dangerously [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] was an extension of Heyman's own personality: a brash [[New York metropolitan area|New Yorker]] with a [[yuppie]] attitude, often seen holding a mobile phone, which was occasionally used as a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Foreign object|"foreign object"]] (according to Heyman, he decided to use the mobile phone as a weapon when he watched [[Gordon Gekko]] in ''[[Wall Street (1987 film)|Wall Street]]'').<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> After departing the AWA, Heyman went back to the CWA. Heyman joined with [[Eddie Gilbert (wrestler)|Eddie Gilbert]] and his wife and valet [[Missy Hyatt]] and together they feuded with Lawler before moving on to the [[Alabama]]-based [[Continental Championship Wrestling|Continental Wrestling Federation]]. Behind the scenes, Gilbert was the head [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Book|booker]] of the [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotion]], and Heyman became his assistant. Heyman was also the head booker for Windy City Wrestling in Chicago and started developing a reputation as being an innovative television writer and producer.<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> ===National Wrestling Alliance/World Championship Wrestling (1988–1993)=== {{Main|Dangerous Alliance}} In 1988, Heyman jumped to [[Jim Crockett Promotions]], where Dangerously again managed the Original Midnight Express in a feud with the new Midnight Express ([[Bobby Eaton]] and [[Stan Lane]]) and their manager, [[Jim Cornette]], as well as managing [[The Undertaker|"Mean" Mark Callous]]. He settled into the role of an announcer, joining [[Jim Ross]] to call the matches on [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|WTBS']] ''[[WCW Saturday Night|World Championship Wrestling]]'' and other programming. Heyman admitted he learned more working with Ross than from his previous mentors.<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> While in-between stints in WCW, Heyman went to work for [[International World Class Championship Wrestling|ICW]] as a writer, but was fired on his first day in the middle of his first TV taping.<ref>Wrestling Observer Newsletter (November 27, 1989).</ref> In 1991, WCW needed to re-structure its "[[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]s", so Heyman returned to the role of spokesman and ringside manager as the [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] of the Dangerous Alliance, with [[Rick Rude]] as the centerpiece of the stable. According to Heyman, he and [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] learned their craft from Rude.<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> Heyman led Rude to the [[WWE United States Championship|United States title]] and the [[tag team]] of Eaton and [[Arn Anderson]] to the [[WCW World Tag Team Championship|Tag Team titles]]. The Dangerous Alliance dominated WCW through most of 1992.<ref>The Wrestler, May 1992 issue article: Anderson and Eaton win the world belts-The Dangerous Alliance two steps away from a title monopoly!</ref><ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated, March 1993 issue, p. 45.</ref> Heyman was fired from WCW after clashes with booker [[Bill Watts]].{{when|date=September 2023}} In February 1993, Heyman filed a lawsuit against WCW alleging wrongful termination and ethnic discrimination. The lawsuit was settled privately out of court.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.armpit-wrestling.com/paul-heyman-sues-wcw-after-racist-remarks/ | title=Paul Heyman Sues WCW After Racist Remarks | date=May 31, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/10-most-controversial-things-paul-heyman-has-done-in-wrestling/|title=10 Most Controversial Things Paul Heyman Has Done in Wrestling|date=September 3, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/artman/publish/WWE/article1005219.shtml|title = Paul Heyman accuses WWE Hall of Fame inductee Bill Watts of making anti-Semitic statements when he was running WCW}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/195973-heyman-on-watts-its-shameful-that-a-racist-should-be-rewarded|title=Heyman on Watts: "It's Shameful That a Racist Should be Rewarded"|date=April 2, 2009}}</ref> ===Eastern Championship Wrestling/Extreme Championship Wrestling (1993–2001)=== {{Main|Extreme Championship Wrestling}} [[Image:Paul E. Dangerously.jpg|thumb|Heyman at an ECW show in 1998.]] [[Image:Paul (E) Heyman Addressing Crowd.jpg|thumb|Heyman addressing the crowd at an ECW television taping in 1999.]] After departing WCW, Heyman attempted to start a new promotion in [[Texas]] with [[Jim Crockett Jr.]] Disagreement arose, however, as Crockett wanted to build a traditional wrestling brand, while Heyman believed traditional wrestling was antiquated and a new take on the genre was needed.<ref>[http://www.eddiegilbert.com/profile2.html "Dangerously did work some ECW shows during the year but most of the year saw him trying to get a new promotion off the ground in Texas with Jim Crockett, Jr. The effort would not fly and, by October, Gordon wanted Dangerously brought into ECW"], Eddiegilbert.com. Retrieved May 8, 2012.</ref> At this time, Eddie Gilbert was a booker for a Philadelphia-based promotion, [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA)'s [[Extreme Championship Wrestling|Eastern Championship Wrestling]], which he did under the ownership of a local [[pawn shop]] owner named [[Tod Gordon]]. Heyman came in to help Gilbert teach the younger wrestlers how to perform on interviews,<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> but Gilbert's erratic behavior became too much for Gordon, who had a major falling out with Gilbert right before the [[UltraClash (1993)|UltraClash]] event on September 18, 1993. From that point forward, Heyman was in charge of the creative direction of the company. As Paul E. Dangerously, he managed a few wrestlers, including [[Sabu (wrestler)|Sabu]] and [[911 (wrestler)|911]]. A year later, the company was the [[flagship]] promotion of the struggling NWA. The [[NWA World Title Tournament]] was scheduled to be held in August 1994 for the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]], at an ECW-hosted event mostly featuring ECW wrestlers. The proposed outcome was the current ECW champion [[Shane Douglas]] becoming champion, but Heyman conspired with Douglas and Gordon without the knowledge of NWA president [[Dennis Coralluzzo]] to have Douglas (and by extension, ECW itself) publicly denounce the NWA and its "tradition" after winning the tournament. In his post-match speech, Douglas aggressively assaulted the title's lineage, throwing the belt itself down, proclaiming the NWA a "dead organization" and declaring his ECW title a [[World heavyweight championship (professional wrestling)|world-level]] championship. The plan for this [[Shoot (professional wrestling)|shoot]] [[screwjob]] was known only to those three.<ref>[http://www.wrestlingepicenter.com/shows/ShaneDouglas The New Online Home of The Interactive Interview], WrestlingEpicenter.com. Retrieved May 17, 2015.</ref> That same week, Heyman and [[Tod Gordon]] rechristened the promotion, eliminating the regional branding "Eastern" and declaring the promotion [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]]. They broke the company away from the NWA, and ECW became its own entity. Heyman encouraged wrestlers to express their true feelings about the WWF, the NWA, and WCW. In May 1995, Heyman bought out Gordon and became sole owner of ECW.<ref>Scott E. Williams, ''Hardcore History: The Extremely Unauthorized Story of the ECW'', 2006, p. 129</ref> During his time in ECW, Heyman found an ally in [[Vince McMahon]]'s WWF. McMahon had sent some WWF wrestlers to ECW (under WWF payroll) to develop them and was interested in some ECW wrestlers, such as [[Terry Gordy]] and [[2 Cold Scorpio]]. McMahon paid Heyman $1,000 per week to rent Scorpio.<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> Heyman also acknowledged how an effort to put ECW on the [[USA Network]] failed after USA Network President Steven Chau became aware of an email Vince McMahon sent which pressured him and other network executives to put ECW on the USA Network.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/pro-wrestling/q-a-with-wwe-s-paul-heyman-1.8944224|title=Q&A with WWE's Paul Heyman|first=Alfonso A.|last=Castillo|publisher=Newsday|date=August 1, 2014|access-date=May 12, 2021}}</ref> In the final days of ECW, Heyman became [[persona non grata]] as he did not appear on the show and was replaced as the leader of the backstage and creative by ECW wrestler [[Tommy Dreamer]].<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> Heyman could not get out of financial trouble and ECW closed on April 4, 2001.<ref name=BetweenTheRopes>{{cite book|title=Between the Ropes: Wrestling's Greatest Triumphs and Failures|last1=Fritz|first1=Brian|last2=Murray|first2=Christopher|publisher=[[ECW Press]]|year=2006|isbn=978-1-55022-726-0}}</ref><ref name="Loverro 2006 https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/233 233">{{cite book|title=The Rise and Fall of ECW|last=Loverro|first=Thom|page=[https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/233 233]|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|year=2006|isbn=978-1-4165-1058-1|url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/233}}</ref> Heyman also supposedly had never told his wrestlers that the company was on its dying legs and was unable to pay them for a while.<ref name="Loverro 2006 https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom/page/233 233"/> ECW entered into bankruptcy in 2001 (just weeks after WCW was sold to WWF for $2 million, after [[AOL Time Warner]] wrote off over $100 million in debt), with the company $7 million in arrears, with over $3 million owed to the company by InDemand pay per view. On January 28, 2003, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. purchased ECW's assets from HHG Corporation in court, acquiring the rights to ECW's video library.<ref name="scribd.com">{{cite web |url=https://pdfslide.net/documents/wwe-acquires-ecw-assets-hhg-corporation.html |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230216103846/https://pdfslide.net/documents/wwe-acquires-ecw-assets-hhg-corporation.html |archive-date=February 16, 2023 |title=WWE acquires ECW Assets (HHG Corporation) |work=[[WWE]] and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling|HHG Corporation]] |publisher=PDF Slide |date=January 28, 2003 |access-date=March 18, 2023 }}</ref> ===World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (2001-2006) === ====Various roles (2001–2005)==== Heyman became a commentator for the WWF on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw Is War]]'', replacing [[Jerry Lawler]] who had quit due to a dispute when his wife [[Stacy Carter|The Kat]] was fired in February 2001. During that time, he resumed his storyline rivalry with [[Jim Ross]]. In July, while retaining his commentator role, Heyman recreated ECW as a stable, which then immediately merged with [[Shane McMahon]]'s WCW to form [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|the Alliance]] during [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|the Invasion angle]]. Heyman was "[[Kayfabe#Contracts, employment status, and suspensions|fired]]" following the 2001 [[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series]] when the Alliance lost a winner takes all match that marked the end of the invasion angle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://network.wwe.com/video/v534952383?contextType=wwe-show&contextId=raw_replays&contentId=159854032&watchlistAltButtonContext=series|title=Raw Replays|website=WWE Network}}</ref> Heyman was replaced on ''Raw'' commentary by the returning [[Jerry Lawler]].<ref>it's good to be the king. Jerry Lawler pg. 372</ref> Heyman was the lead writer for ''SmackDown!'' from July 2002 to February 2003. On Heyman's 2014 WWE documentary ''Ladies and Gentleman, My Name is Paul Heyman'', Heyman stated that the ''SmackDown!'' brand he was writing was beating ''Raw'' in ratings, merchandise and live show attendance during a time McMahon wanted real-life competition between the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] brands. While he was in WWE, [[Taz (wrestler)|Tazz]] spoke to him about [[Brock Lesnar]], a WWE developmental wrestler. Heyman began mentoring Lesnar, and McMahon decided to make Heyman Lesnar's manager.<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> Heyman helped Lesnar capture the [[WWE Championship|WWE Undisputed Championship]] 126 days after Lesnar's main roster debut when Lesnar beat [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] at [[SummerSlam (2002)|SummerSlam]] to also become the youngest WWE Undisputed Champion at the time. At the [[Survivor Series (2002)|Survivor Series]], Heyman turned on Lesnar and allied himself with [[Big Show]], while helping him win the title from Lesnar in the process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/wwe/news/14203/10652283/wwe-survivor-series-moments-part-one-sting-the-shield-and-more|title = WWE Survivor Series moments: Part one - Sting, the Shield and more}}</ref> After McMahon defeated his daughter [[Stephanie McMahon|Stephanie]] in October 2003 at the [[No Mercy (2003)|No Mercy]] pay-per-view, the storyline was that she was forced to resign from her position as [[Professional wrestling authority figures#General managers 2|general manager]] (GM) of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]''. Heyman returned to television to assume Stephanie McMahon's on-camera role as General Manager. On March 22, 2004, he appeared on ''Raw'' to take part in the annual [[WWE draft|WWE draft lottery]]. During the show he was drafted to the Raw brand to work for Raw general manager [[Eric Bischoff]]. Instead, he decided to [[Kayfabe#Contracts, employment status, and suspensions|"quit"]] rather than work for Bischoff, the man he cited for the death of ECW by raiding its talent.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} Heyman was replaced as SmackDown! General Manager by his former client Kurt Angle on March 25.<ref>{{cite web|title=SmackDown – March 25, 2004 Results|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/040325.html |publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=July 27, 2017}}</ref> On July 10, 2005, it was reported that Heyman took over the positions of head booker and writer in [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]], a developmental territory maintained by WWE. It was during this time that he forged a real-life friendship with [[CM Punk]].<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> ====Return of ECW (2005–2006)==== [[File:Paulheyman.jpg|thumb|left|Heyman in the ring in 2006]] On May 23, 2005, Heyman returned in a segment with Vince McMahon and Eric Bischoff announcing [[ECW One Night Stand (2005)|ECW One Night Stand]], with Heyman in charge. On the May 22, 2006 episode of ''Raw'', Heyman appeared as ECW Representative promoting [[ECW One Night Stand (2006)|ECW One Night Stand]]. On May 25, 2006, it was announced that [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW would relaunch]], as a third WWE brand. Heyman was in charge of the new brand on-camera but had minimal creative input off-camera as well. On the May 29 episode of ''Raw'', during a face-off with [[Mick Foley]], Heyman announced that he was granted a draft pick from both [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] and [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] by [[Vince McMahon]]. His Raw draft pick was former ECW wrestler (and [[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank]] contract holder) [[Rob Van Dam]], and his SmackDown! draft pick was [[Kurt Angle]]. Heyman predicted that Van Dam would defeat [[John Cena]] at ECW One Night Stand for the [[WWE Championship]] and then declare himself the new [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship |ECW World Heavyweight Champion]]. At ECW One Night Stand, Van Dam defeated Cena to win the WWE Championship. After Cena knocked an ECW referee unconscious, [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] (in a disguise) appeared and speared Cena through a table, before taking out ''SmackDown!'' referee [[Nick Patrick (referee)|Nick Patrick]], allowing Van Dam to hit the Five-Star Frog Splash on Cena. With no referee available Heyman ran down the aisle to count the pin fall. The following night on ''Raw'', Heyman confirmed that because the championship match was contested under "ECW rules" (which meant, essentially, there were no rules) that the decision stood and Van Dam was the "Undisputed" WWE Champion. As the WWE Champion, Van Dam was the number one man in the reformed ECW, so on the debut of ''ECW on Sci Fi'' the next night Heyman, announced as an "ECW Representative", presented him with the re-instated ECW World Heavyweight Championship. Van Dam elected to keep both title belts and was recognized as both the WWE Champion and ECW World Heavyweight Champion.{{citation needed|date=April 2016}} On the July 4 episode of ''ECW'', Heyman helped [[Big Show]] defeat Van Dam for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. At the Raw/ECW taping in [[South Carolina]] in December 2006, it was announced that [[Vince McMahon]] had sent Heyman home, citing "slumping television ratings and a disgruntled talent roster as causes for Mr. Heyman's dismissal".<ref name="Heyman Quit 1">{{cite web|title=Heyman out|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/heymanout|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=2006-12-04|access-date=2007-10-23}}</ref> Heyman was escorted from the Coliseum and sent home. He was also immediately pulled from ECW's [[List of World Wrestling Entertainment employees#Creative team|creative team]] after the altercation. McMahon attempted to put the blame on Heyman for the poorly received pay-per-view, and after a meeting with Vince and [[Stephanie McMahon]], Heyman [[Legit (professional wrestling)|legitimately]] left WWE but remained under contract. Heyman was against the decision of [[Bobby Lashley]] being [[Booking (professional wrestling)|booked]] to win the ECW World Championship, and instead wanted to have CM Punk win it, a decision McMahon disliked.<ref name=hardcorehistory>{{cite book|last=Williams|first=Scott E.|title=Hardcore History: The Extremely Unauthorized Story of ECW|publisher=Sports Publishing|date=2007-04-01|isbn=978-1-59670-225-7|pages=257–258}}</ref><ref name="ECW Dismantled">{{cite web|first=Anna Elizabeth|last=Anderson|title=WWE Continues to Dismantle the ECW Brand|url=http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=18&num=16704|publisher=The National Ledger|date=2007-10-17|access-date=2007-10-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220104006/http://www.nationalledger.com/cgi-bin/artman/exec/view.cgi?archive=18&num=16704|archive-date=2008-12-20}}</ref> This was one of multiple behind-the-scenes creative disagreements between Heyman and McMahon that led to the split, and that Heyman had been overruled on a number of decisions regarding the product over ECW's only pay-per-view under WWE, [[December to Dismember (2006)|December to Dismember]].<ref name="HEYMAN AGAIN AT IMPASSE">{{cite web |date=December 17, 2006 |title=HEYMAN AGAIN AT IMPASSE |url=http://www.mikemooneyham.com/2006/12/17/heyman-again-at-impasse/ |access-date=June 24, 2020 |publisher=www.mikemooneyham.com}}</ref> McMahon and Heyman clashed in front of several members of the writing team on McMahon's corporate jet the day after the pay-per-view. The argument with McMahon was over a disagreement over the Extreme [[Elimination Chamber]] match at December to Dismember. Heyman thought that The Big Show should be eliminated in the Elimination Chamber match by CM Punk via submission, to push the rising star. The Big Show agreed with this idea, wanting to help push Punk's career, but McMahon disagreed, and Punk was ultimately eliminated first.<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1" /> After allegedly turning down an offer from Stephanie McMahon to return to his post writing television for WWE developmental television shows, Heyman officially parted ways quietly with WWE on December 17, 2006.<ref name="HEYMAN AGAIN AT IMPASSE" /> === Return to WWE === ==== Paul Heyman Guys (2012–2014) ==== [[File:CM Punk and Paul Heyman.jpg|thumb|Heyman brandishing the [[WWE Championship]] on behalf of champion [[CM Punk]] in December 2012]] After a five-year absence following the controversial departure after the December to Dismember PPV in 2006, Heyman returned to WWE on the May 7, 2012 episode of ''Raw SuperShow'' as [[Brock Lesnar]]'s legal advisor, announcing that Lesnar, who returned a month before, had quit the company.<ref>{{cite web|last=Herrera|first=Tom|title=Raw SuperShow results: Paul Heyman returns and announces Brock Lesnar has quit WWE|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2012-05-07/wwe-raw-supershow-results/page-8|publisher=WWE.com|date=May 7, 2012|access-date=May 17, 2015}}</ref> Behind the scenes, Heyman had no interest at first in returning to WWE, as he still felt he held bad blood with a lot of the staff, but reconsidered after Lesnar requested his presence after a lackluster promo with [[John Laurinaitis]].<ref name="PaulHeymanDVD1"/> The following week on ''Raw SuperShow'', Heyman confronted [[Triple H]], handing him a lawsuit from Lesnar for breach of contract. Triple H responded by shoving Heyman into the ropes, leading Heyman to announce that he would file a lawsuit against Triple H for assault and battery.<ref>{{cite web|last=Tylwalk|first=Nick|title=Raw: Triple H and John Laurinaitis both get served in Pittsburgh|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2012/05/14/19758751.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714023855/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2012/05/14/19758751.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 14, 2012|publisher=SlamM! Sports|access-date=May 15, 2012}}</ref> On the June 18 episode of ''Raw SuperShow'', Heyman declined Triple H's challenge for a match against Lesnar at [[SummerSlam (2012)|SummerSlam]] on Lesnar's behalf.<ref>{{cite web|title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 6/18: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw No. 994 – PPV fall-out, Johnny says good-bye, Hunter-Heyman|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_62576.shtml|access-date=May 17, 2015}}</ref> Later that month, Heyman stated that Brock Lesnar would answer Triple H's challenge himself at ''[[WWE Raw 1000|Raw 1000]]''. Lesnar would go on to defeat Triple H at SummerSlam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2012/summerslam-2012-results|title=SummerSlam 2012 results|website=WWE}}</ref> On the September 3 episode of ''Raw'', after [[CM Punk]] attacked [[John Cena]], Heyman was seen driving the car Punk had entered. This began an alliance between CM Punk and Heyman. Heyman began accompanying Punk to the ring for his matches and promos. Because of the events of the previous weeks, on the February 11 episode of ''Raw'', Heyman addressed the audience intending to resign from the company. CM Punk, however, convinced Heyman to not only stay with the company, but also to be in Punk's corner at the upcoming [[Elimination Chamber (2013)|Elimination Chamber]] pay-per-view for his [[WWE Championship]] match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-02-11/wwe-raw-results-26090968|title=Raw results: The Elimination Chamber fills out and Punk makes his biggest power play yet|author=Benigno, Anthony|publisher=WWE|access-date=January 25, 2016|date=February 11, 2013}}</ref> Around this time, Heyman quietly cut off his signature [[ponytail]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tmz.com/2014/02/06/paul-heyman-ponytail-hhh-didnt-force-me-wwe/|title=WWE Star Paul Heyman – Triple H Did NOT Force Me to Chop Off My Ponytail|work=TMZ|access-date=February 1, 2018}}</ref> [[File:Brock Lesnar with Paul Heyman.jpg|thumb|left|Heyman (right) and his client [[Brock Lesnar]] at [[WrestleMania 29]]]] Later, CM Punk earned the right to [[The Streak (wrestling)|fight The Undertaker]] at [[WrestleMania 29]] after winning a Fatal Four Way match at ''Old School Raw''. In addition, Heyman's other client Brock Lesnar was booked for a No Holds Barred match against Triple H at WrestleMania, with Triple H's career on the line. At WrestleMania, both of Heyman's clients lost their matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2013/04/07/wrestlemania-29-cena-back-on-top-the-streak-lives-on/|title=WrestleMania 29: Cena back on top, The Streak lives on|author=Bishop, Matt|date=April 7, 2013|publisher=Slam! Wrestling|access-date=January 25, 2016}}</ref> On the April 15 episode of ''Raw'', Heyman announced Lesnar had challenged Triple H to a steel cage match at [[Extreme Rules (2013)|Extreme Rules]]. The following week, Triple H accepted the match and delivered a Pedigree to Heyman. As a response, Lesnar and Heyman invaded the headquarters of WWE and trashed Triple H's office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/triple-h-responds-to-brock-lesnars-workplace-invasion-at-wwe-headquarters-raw-ma-26113234|title=Triple H responds to Brock Lesnar's workplace invasion at WWE headquarters: Raw|date=May 6, 2013|publisher=WWE.com|access-date=May 7, 2013|archive-date=May 9, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509034647/http://www.wwe.com/videos/triple-h-responds-to-brock-lesnars-workplace-invasion-at-wwe-headquarters-raw-ma-26113234|url-status=dead}}</ref> At Extreme Rules, Lesnar defeated Triple H with the help of Heyman.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dilbert |first1=Ryan |title=WWE Extreme Rules 2013 Review: Match-by-Match Recap and Highlights |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1645282-wwe-extreme-rules-2013-review-match-by-match-recap-and-highlights |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=4 March 2024}}</ref> Heyman announced Michael McGillicutty as the newest "Paul Heyman guy" on the May 20 ''Raw'' and gave him the new name of [[Curtis Axel]]. On the May 27 episode of ''Raw'', Heyman appeared on the ''Highlight Reel'' with [[Chris Jericho]], where Jericho challenged CM Punk to a match at [[Payback (2013)|Payback]] which Heyman accepted on Punk's behalf. The next week, Heyman and Jericho signed the contract to make it official. The same week on ''SmackDown'', Jericho faced off against Curtis Axel. As Jericho was closing in on the victory, Heyman stood on the announcers table and yelled: "It's clobbering time". Punk's music began to play, distracting Jericho long enough for Axel to pick up the victory.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} At Payback, Heyman coached Axel during his match with [[Wade Barrett]] and [[The Miz]] for the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] with Axel winning the match and the title. Heyman accompanied Punk to the ring later in the show for his match with Chris Jericho. After ''Payback'', a WWE.com exclusive video aired with Punk telling Heyman that he is his friend and not his client. On the June 17 episode of ''Raw'', Punk challenged [[Alberto Del Rio]], mentioning that he did not want Heyman managing him anymore. Following Punk's match, he was attacked by Lesnar. The next week on ''Raw'', Punk demanded answers from Heyman, who swore he did not ask Lesnar to attack him. Punk forgave Heyman and then faced [[Darren Young]] and, following his win, was attacked by [[Titus O'Neil]] until Curtis Axel saved him, to Punk's chagrin. Heyman announced that he would team with Axel against [[The Prime Time Players]] the next week, again to Punk's disapproval.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}} At [[Money in the Bank (2013)|Money in the Bank]], Heyman betrayed CM Punk, costing him his chance at the Money in the Bank briefcase by hitting him three times with a ladder, knocking Punk off the ladder when he was ascending. On the August 5 episode of ''Raw'', Punk retaliated by choking Heyman while Heyman was in Curtis Axel's corner during a match. This prompted Lesnar to enter the ring and attack Punk. Heyman later challenged Punk to a 1-on-1 match for the next week's ''Raw'', which Punk accepted.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-08-05/wwe-raw-results-26137732/page-9 CM Punk vs. Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel went to a No Contest], wwe.com, August 5, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2015.</ref> However, this was revealed to be a trap when Lesnar appeared prior to the match. The plan was foiled, however, when Heyman dared CM Punk to come into the ring and accept the challenge as CM Punk, who had anticipated the trap and hid under the ring, emerged and attacked Lesnar. However, Punk failed to get his hands on Heyman as Curtis Axel came to Heyman's aid.<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2013-08-12/wwe-raw-results-26139610/page-11 CM Punk surprised Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar], wwe.com, August 12, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2015.</ref> This led to a match between Lesnar and Punk at [[SummerSlam (2013)|SummerSlam]], which Lesnar won after interference from Heyman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0svxTVEscaU|title=CM Punk Vs Brock Lesnar WWE SummerSlam 2013 – YouTube video|website=[[YouTube]]|access-date=May 5, 2017}}</ref> {{Quote box | width = 30% | align = right | quote = "I think the bar was set so high with the chemistry that [[Brock Lesnar|Brock]] and I have, and the chemistry that [[CM Punk|Punk]] and I had, that it would be very difficult to match that ... I've never walked through the curtain with someone I wasn't trying to audition as a [[WrestleMania]] main-eventer, and I never want to ... But sometimes the chemistry just isn't there". | source = <small>Heyman in 2013,regarding wrestlers he did not complement well with.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Paul Heyman on Brock Lesnar's Historic Run and Wrestling's Next Evolution|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/beast-mode-paul-heyman-on-brock-lesnars-historic-run-and-wrestlings-next-evolution-20150122|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=February 1, 2013}}</ref></small> }} Heyman and Axel delivered a brutal assault to Punk on ''Raw'' the following week, with Heyman breaking a [[shinai|kendo stick]] over Punk's back while Punk was handcuffed. Heyman was then booked to team with Axel against CM Punk in an elimination handicap match at [[Night of Champions (2013)|Night of Champions]]. Heyman tried various times to get out of the match, which caused General Manager [[Brad Maddox]] to make the match into a no disqualification elimination handicap match. At Night of Champions, Punk eliminated Axel (who had been forced to defend his [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] against [[Kofi Kingston]] earlier in the night), leaving Heyman alone with Punk. After receiving a beating from Punk and being placed in handcuffs, just as Heyman did to Punk weeks before, Punk was about to attack Heyman with a kendo stick when [[Ryback]] interfered and cost Punk the match by putting Punk through a table.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uproxx.com/sports/2013/09/wwe-night-champions-2013-results|title=WWE Night Of Champions 2013 Results|work=UPROXX|date=September 16, 2013}}</ref> At [[Battleground (2013)|Battleground]], Punk pinned Ryback after a low blow. At [[Hell in a Cell (2013)|Hell in a Cell]], Punk defeated both Ryback and Heyman and after the match attacked Heyman on top of the cell, putting an end to their feud. On the November 11, 2013 episode of ''Raw'', Heyman stated that he was no longer with Ryback as Ryback never officially accepted his proposal to become a "Paul Heyman Guy". After that, CM Punk came out to once again beat Heyman with a kendo stick. The following night on ''SmackDown'', Heyman formally announced to Curtis Axel and Ryback that they were no longer Paul Heyman guys, therefore marking the end of Axel's association with Heyman as he continued to team with Ryback. Heyman returned on the December 30 episode of ''Raw'' alongside Brock Lesnar, who attacked [[Mark Henry]]. He stood by Lesnar as he feuded with [[Big Show]] and [[The Undertaker]] in the first four months of 2014. Lesnar ended [[The Streak (wrestling)|The Undertaker's undefeated streak]] at [[WrestleMania XXX]]; this was Undertaker's first loss at a WrestleMania, as he previously had a record of 21 wins.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-08|title=WWE News: Paul Heyman On How Brock Lesnar Became The One In 21-1 [Exclusive From July 2016]|url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/paul-heyman-on-how-brock-lesnar-became-the-one-in-21-1-exclusive-from-july-2016/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Inside The Ropes|language=en-GB}}</ref> On the ''Raw'' following WrestleMania, [[Cesaro (wrestler)|Cesaro]] revealed himself to be a "Paul Heyman Guy". Cesaro eventually declared himself no longer a "Paul Heyman Guy" on the July 21 episode of ''Raw''.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} ==== Lesnar's sole managership (2014–2020) ==== [[File:WWE 2014-04-06 20-58-03 NEX-6 0019 DxO (13919066946).jpg|thumb|upright|Heyman (right) and Lesnar after the latter ended [[The Undertaker]]'s [[The Streak (professional wrestling)|streak]] at [[WrestleMania XXX]]]] After Triple H announced that [[Randy Orton]] would challenge [[John Cena]] at [[SummerSlam (2014)|SummerSlam]], [[Roman Reigns]] came out and fought with Orton backstage. Heyman then came out and told Triple H to implement "Plan C" which was the return of Lesnar, who would have a match against Cena at SummerSlam. Lesnar defeated Cena at SummerSlam to win the [[WWE Championship|WWE World Heavyweight Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Caldwell's WWE SummerSlam PPV Results 8/17: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Cena vs. Lesnar|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_80257.shtml#.U_GbSaMVGSo|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=August 18, 2014|date=August 17, 2014}}</ref> At the [[Royal Rumble (2015)|Royal Rumble]], Heyman was at ringside when Lesnar retained his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Cena and [[Seth Rollins]]. At [[WrestleMania 31]], Heyman was at ringside when Lesnar defended his title belt against the 2015 Royal Rumble winner Roman Reigns, but Lesnar was unsuccessful as Rollins cashed in his [[Money in the Bank (2014)|Money in the Bank]] briefcase and made the match a Triple Threat match. Rollins pinned Reigns for the win. The next night on ''Raw'', Lesnar was suspended after he demanded a rematch for the title and attacked several innocent people.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman called out WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2015-03-30/wwe-raw-results-27250779|work=Anthony Benigno, wwe.com|access-date=June 21, 2015|date=March 30, 2015}}</ref> In June, Heyman and Lesnar returned to the WWE after Lesnar was named the No. 1 contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, igniting a feud between Lesnar and Rollins. At [[Battleground (2015)|Battleground]], Lesnar defeated Rollins by disqualification ([[The Undertaker]] returned and attacked Lesnar). The Undertaker further explained his actions as revenge, not for defeating the streak but over Heyman's constant taunting. At [[SummerSlam (2015)|SummerSlam]], Heyman was at ringside when the match between Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker ended in controversy; the bell was rung as The Undertaker tapped out, but the referee did not see it. This allowed The Undertaker to defeat Lesnar after he passed out to the ''Hell's Gate''. At [[Hell in a Cell (2015)|Hell in a Cell]], Heyman was present when Lesnar defeated The Undertaker in the rematch, ending their feud.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} [[File:Night of Champions IMG 0163 (15221368348).jpg|thumb|left|upright|Heyman (back) and WWE Champion Brock Lesnar at [[Night of Champions (2014)|Night of Champions]] in 2014]] Heyman returned with Lesnar on the January 11, 2016 ''Raw'', and was ringside with Lesnar for the [[Royal Rumble (2016)|Royal Rumble]]. Lesnar was eliminated in the match by [[Bray Wyatt]], after interference by the rest of [[The Wyatt Family]]. He accompanied Lesnar to the ring at [[WrestleMania 32]] where Lesnar defeated [[Dean Ambrose]] in a No Holds Barred Street Fight.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} On July 19 at the [[2016 WWE Draft]], Lesnar and Heyman were drafted to the ''Raw'' brand.<ref name="2016WWEdraft">{{cite news|title=2016 WWE Draft results: WWE officially ushers in New Era|url=http://www.wwe.com/2016-wwe-draft-results|newspaper=WWE|access-date=July 19, 2016}}</ref> Heyman returned alongside Lesnar on the August 1 episode of ''Raw,'' hyping the Lesnar-Orton match at Summerslam while Lesnar took an RKO from Randy Orton. On the October 31 episode of ''Raw'', Heyman and Lesnar confronted [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]], and Heyman was speared by Goldberg; he was later taken by ambulance to a hospital in [[Hartford, Connecticut]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Raw: Oct. 31, 2016|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2016-10-31#full-detail-40013946|publisher=WWE|access-date=November 1, 2016}}</ref> On the July 31 episode of ''Raw'', Heyman appeared with Lesnar to announce to acting authority figure [[Kurt Angle]] that, should Lesnar lose the championship at [[SummerSlam (2017)|SummerSlam]], they will both depart from the company.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2017/7/31/16073364/paul-heyman-brock-lesnar-will-leave-wwe-if-loses-universal-title-summerslam-fatal-4way-jon-jones-ufc|title=Heyman and Lesnar vow to leave WWE if Brock loses Universal title at SummerSlam|date=July 31, 2017}}</ref> At Summerslam, Lesnar defeated Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe, and Braun Strowman in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Multi-competitor-based variations|Fatal Four-Way]] to retain the Universal Championship.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} At [[Extreme Rules (2018)|Extreme Rules 2018]], Kurt Angle said that if Lesnar, then-reigning [[WWE Universal Championship|Universal Champion]], did not show up for ''Raw'' or agree to the terms of when Lesnar will defend the championship, he would be stripped of the championship.<ref name="ER2018">{{cite web|last1=Powell|first1=Jason|title=Powell's WWE Extreme Rules live review: Roman Reigns vs. Bobby Lashley, AJ Styles vs. Rusev vs. for the WWE Championship, Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins in a 30-minute Iron Man match for the IC Title, Bludgeon Brothers vs. Team Hell No for the Smackdown Tag Titles|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/07/15/powells-wwe-extreme-rules-live-review-roman-reigns-vs-bobby-lashley-aj-styles-vs-rusev-vs-for-the-wwe-championship-dolph-ziggler-vs-seth-rollins-in-a-30-minute-iron-man-match-for-the-ic-title/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=July 15, 2018|access-date=July 15, 2018}}</ref> On July 16, 2018, episode of ''Raw'', Heyman interrupted Angle, who was about to strip Lesnar of the title, and stated that Lesnar would hold on to the championship for "however long he pleases". Angle then scheduled Lesnar to defend the championship at SummerSlam; if he did not, he would be indefinitely stripped. On the July 30 episode of ''Raw'', Angle threatened Heyman's employment due to Lesnar's refusal to leave the backstage area and appear in the ring. After several failed attempts by Heyman to convince Lesnar to appear in the ring, Lesnar attacked Angle with an F-5 and choked Heyman.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-results-recap-grades-brock-lesnar-appears-relationship-with-paul-heyman-turns/|title=WWE Raw results, recap, grades: Brock Lesnar appears, relationship with Paul Heyman turns|website=CBS Sports}}</ref> Two weeks later on the August 13, 2018 episode of [[Raw (WWE brand)|''Raw'']], Heyman revealed it was all a ruse as both Heyman (wielding [[pepper spray]]) and [[Brock Lesnar|Lesnar]] ambushed [[Roman Reigns|Reigns]]. Heyman would accompany Lesnar to SummerSlam, where Lesnar's 504 day reign as champion would come to an end after Lesnar was pinned by Reigns. Heyman would appear in a segment backstage at the ''Raw'' following SummerSlam to invoke Lesnar's rematch clause against Roman for the Universal Championship at [[Hell in a Cell (2018)|Hell in a Cell]], but the rematch was denied by Kurt Angle. However, at Hell in a Cell, Heyman appeared as Lesnar interfered with the main event match between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman. The next day, Heyman appeared on ''Raw'', setting up a triple threat match at [[Crown Jewel (2018)|Crown Jewel]] between Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman, and Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship. However, following Reigns' leukemia announcement, Heyman would instead set up a singles match between Lesnar and Strowman for the now-[[glossary of professional wrestling terms#vacant|vacant]] title at Crown Jewel, a match Lesnar won.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}} At [[WrestleMania 35]], Heyman came out just after the opening segment, demanding that [[Seth Rollins]] fights his client to start off the main card. Lesnar and Rollins appeared thereafter. Lesnar then severely beat up Rollins before the match started. When the match finally started, Rollins ultimately won the match in under 5 minutes, carrying out a low blow when a referee was knocked down, and executing his finisher three times.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/WWEUniverse?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor|title=WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) |publisher=Twitter}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=April 2020}} In June 2019, WWE announced that Heyman would be the executive director of ''Raw''.<ref name=ED2019>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/06/27/wwe-paul-heyman-monday-night-raw-eric-bischoff-smackdown-live-vince-mcmahon|title=Paul Heyman, Eric Bischoff to run WWE TV programs|magazine=Sports Illustrated|access-date=June 27, 2019}}</ref> Heyman also appeared on ''SmackDown'' due to Lesnar being drafted to the brand in the [[2019 WWE Draft]], but shortly thereafter, Lesnar returned to ''Raw''.<ref name="Raw10142019">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=10/14 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of the WWE Draft night two, Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair to determine which brand gets the first pick, Braun Strowman and Tyson Fury contract signing, Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler vs. The Viking Raiders for the Raw Tag Titles|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/10/14/10-14-wwe-raw-results-powells-review-of-the-wwe-draft-night-two-becky-lynch-vs-charlotte-flair-to-determine-which-brand-gets-the-first-pick-braun-strowman-and-tyson-fury-contract-signing-robert/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=October 14, 2019|access-date=October 14, 2019}}</ref> Heyman continued to represent Lesnar up to [[WrestleMania 36]], when [[Drew McIntyre]] defeated him for the WWE Championship in quick fashion, at a fan-less event, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. Lesnar then opted not to sign a new contract, thus leaving his professional wrestling career in uncertainty due to him becoming a "free agent".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/wwe-rumor-roundup-the-next-brock-lesnar-found-twist-the-undertaker-s-retirement-former-champion-returning-raw-21st-september-2020|title = WWE Rumor Roundup - the next Brock Lesnar has been found, Twist in the Undertaker's retirement, Former Champion returning to RAW, and more|date = September 22, 2020}}</ref> ==== The Bloodline (2020–2024) ==== {{see also|The Bloodline (professional wrestling)|l1=The Bloodline}} [[File:The Bloodline at Royal Rumble 2023.jpg|thumb|275px| Heyman (Right) with [[Roman Reigns]] and [[Solo Sikoa]], holding Reigns' [[WWE Championship]] and [[WWE Universal Championship]]]] On the August 28, 2020 episode of ''SmackDown'', Heyman aligned with the returning [[Roman Reigns]], portraying the character of his special counsel.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=8/28 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of the contract signing for "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman for the WWE Universal Championship at Payback, Big E on Miz TV|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/08/28/8-28-wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-powells-review-of-the-contract-signing-for-the-fiend-bray-wyatt-vs-roman-reigns-vs-braun-strowman-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-at-payback-big-e/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=August 28, 2020|access-date=August 29, 2020}}</ref> Besides his work as manager, Heyman also worked as a creative, deciding the storylines which include Reigns.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/128178-wwe-paul-heyman-declaraciones-papel-creativo-en-the-bloodline|title=Paul Heyman mantiene un importante poder creativo en The Bloodline|date=March 5, 2024|website=solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com}}</ref> At the [[Crown Jewel (2021)|Crown Jewel]] event in October 2021, Reigns retained the [[WWE Universal Championship|Universal Championship]] after striking Lesnar with the title belt.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|date=October 21, 2021|title=WWE Crown Jewel results: Powell's live review of Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Universal Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Big E vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship, Edge vs. Seth Rollins in a Hell in a Cell match, Goldberg vs. Bobby Lashley in a No Holds Barred match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/10/21/wwe-crown-jewel-results-powells-live-review-of-roman-reigns-vs-brock-lesnar-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-becky-lynch-vs-sasha-banks-vs-bianca-belair-for-the-smackdown-womens-championshi/|access-date=November 4, 2021|website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> Heyman's alliance with Reigns ended on the December 17, 2021 episode of ''Smackdown'' after Reigns fired Heyman and attacked him.<ref name="prowrestling.net">{{cite web |last1=Powell |first1=Jason |title=12/17 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell's review of the return of Roman Reigns, Ridge Holland vs. Cesaro, Sasha Banks and Toni Storm vs. Charlotte Flair and Shotzi |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/12/17/12-17-wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-powells-review-of-the-return-of-roman-reigns-ridge-holland-vs-cesaro-the-build-to-wwe-day-1/ |website=ProWrestling.net |access-date=18 December 2021 |date=17 December 2021}}</ref> As Reigns was about to hit him with a steel chair, Lesnar saved him from being attacked.<ref name="prowrestling.net"/> On the January 3, 2022 episode of ''Raw'', Heyman once again aligned himself with Lesnar after he had won the [[WWE Championship]] two days earlier at [[WWE Day 1 (2022)|Day 1]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Casey|first=Connor|date=January 3, 2022|title=Paul Heyman Reunites With Brock Lesnar on WWE Raw|url= https://comicbook.com/wwe/amp/news/wwe-raw-paul-heyman-reunites-brock-lesnar-fired-roman-reigns-royal-rumble-wwe-championship/|access-date=January 29, 2022|website=Comic Book}}</ref> The reunion was short-lived, as three weeks later at the [[Royal Rumble (2022)|Royal Rumble]] event, Heyman betrayed Lesnar by handing Reigns the WWE Championship belt to attack Lesnar, allowing [[Bobby Lashley]] to win the title from him in the process and re-aligning him with Reigns.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Middleton|first=Marc|date=January 29, 2022|title=Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman Help Bobby Lashley Win the WWE Title at the Royal Rumble|url= https://wrestlingheadlines.com/roman-reigns-and-paul-heyman-help-bobby-lashley-win-the-wwe-title-at-the-royal-rumble/|access-date=January 29, 2022|website=Wrestling Headlines}}</ref> Lesnar went on to win the Royal Rumble match and regained the WWE Championship at [[Elimination Chamber (2022)|Elimination Chamber]], setting up a Champion vs. Champion [[Professional wrestling match types#Winner Takes All match|Winner Takes All Championship Unification match]] against Reigns at [[WrestleMania 38]]. Reigns defeated Lesnar, thus winning both the [[WWE Universal Championship|Universal]] and [[WWE Championship]]s. It was around this time that Heyman would be announced as ‘The Wiseman’ as well as ‘Special Counsel’ to Roman Reigns and the Bloodline. Heyman was by Reigns' side as he beat Cody Rhodes at [[WrestleMania 39|Wrestlemania 39]] in the main event. Reigns' title reign as Universal Champion lasted 1,316 days when he ultimately lost to Rhodes at [[WrestleMania XL]] in April 2024. That same year, Heyman was announced as the first 2024 [[WWE Hall of Fame]] inductee & was inducted on April 5.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Paul Heyman to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/paul-heyman-to-be-inducted-into-wwe-hall-of-fame |access-date=2024-03-04 |work=WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results |language=en}}</ref> After Reigns' title loss, Heyman turned into a [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms|tweener]], after his character became innocent after [[Solo Sikoa]], who [[Clash at the Castle (2022)|joined the stable in 2022]], took temporary leadership of The Bloodline after exiling [[Jimmy Uso]] and inducting[[Tama Tonga]], [[Tanga Loa|Tonga Loa]], and [[Jacob Fatu]].<ref>https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/solo-sikoa-s-recent-actions-may-heartbreaking-roman-reigns-bloodline-repercussions</ref> On the June 28 episode of ''SmackDown'', Heyman was kicked out of The Bloodline after refusing to acknowledge Sikoa as the Tribal Chief, turning [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] in the process. == Reception and legacy == Heyman's work as a promoter and booker has been praised by many wrestling fellows and critics.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-12-19|title=WWE News: Liv Morgan Discusses The Influence Of Paul Heyman On Her Career [SPORF/ITR Exclusive]|url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/liv-morgan-discusses-the-influence-of-paul-heyman-on-her-career-sporf-itr-exclusive/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Inside The Ropes|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/05/28/5-yrs-ago-wwe-raw-report-5-27-13-heyman-introduces-newest-paul-heyman-guy-curtis-axel-axel-vs-cena-headlines-bret-hart-appreciation-night-plus-big-e-jericho-bellas-cody/|title=5 YRS AGO – WWE Raw Report (5–27–13): Heyman introduces newest "Paul Heyman Guy" Curtis Axel, Axel vs. Cena headlines, Bret Hart Appreciation Night, plus Big E, Jericho, Bellas, Cody -|date=May 28, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/21638|title=WWE Power Rankings: On to the Extreme|date=May 7, 2013|work=ESPN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/02/07/news-items-heyman-live-qa-show-announced-wrestlemania-weekend-jordan-neck-surgery-shane-mcmahon-dvd-dropped/|title=NEWS ITEMS: Heyman live Q&A show announced for WrestleMania weekend, Jordan has neck surgery, Shane McMahon DVD dropped -|date=February 7, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2017/04/27/former-wwe-wrestler-caylen-croft-nearly-paired-miz-looks-back-dudebusters-shares-paul-heyman-rumor-differences-working-heyman-jim-cornette-ohio-val/|title=Former WWE wrestler Caylen Croft on nearly being paired with The Miz, looks back on the Dudebusters, shares a Paul Heyman rumor, the differences between working for Heyman and Jim Cornette in Ohio Valley Wrestling|date=April 27, 2017}}</ref> Former ECW World Heavyweight Champion [[Raven (wrestler)|Raven]] called him "the most creative genius the business has ever seen".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2017/05/03/raven-paul-heyman-the-undertaker|title=Raven discusses his new podcast, Paul Heyman and The Undertaker as locker room leader|first1=Justin Barrasso/Sports Illustrated via Extra Mustard May 3, 2017|last1=Jun 30|first2=2017 at 10:28p|last2=ET|date=May 3, 2017|work=Fox Sports}}</ref> Raven's description of Heyman as a "genius" was echoed by [[Tazz]] and [[Jim Cornette]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-19|title=WWE News: Jim Cornette: "Paul Heyman Is A Genius In His Own Way"|url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/jim-cornette-paul-heyman-is-a-genius-in-his-own-way/|access-date=2021-05-21|website=Inside The Ropes|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/343259-taz-compares-working-for-paul-heyman-vs-working-for-vince-mcmahon|title=Taz Compares Working For Paul Heyman v/s Working For Vince McMahon|website=[[Bleacher Report]]|access-date=August 20, 2021}}</ref> Heyman is widely regarded as one of the greatest orators in professional wrestling history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17874370|title=Paul Heyman defines the art of the wrestling promo|date=October 24, 2016|work=ESPN}}</ref> Heyman's skills were praised by his former broadcast partner [[Jim Ross]], who stated: "He was a really good antagonist because sometimes the best antagonists are the villains that say things that you know are true but you just don't want to hear them. Heyman had the ability to tell his version of the truth, [he was] plausible. He just wasn't a heel getting himself over, he got talent over and did a great job."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://itrwrestling.com/news/jim-ross-recalls-working-with-pain-in-the-ass-paul-heyman/|title=Jim Ross Recalls Working With "Pain In The Ass" Paul Heyman|date=March 27, 2021|access-date=August 18, 2021}}</ref> ==Other media and endeavors== Heyman is the co-founder of the award-winning New York City firm The Looking4Larry Agency. The firm broke new ground with its initial campaign with [[Electronic Arts]], [[THQ]] video games, [[2K Sports]], the Hard Rock Hotel, and Casino Las Vegas. Heyman also worked with [[Brock Lesnar]], collaborating with him on Lesnar's autobiography, ''Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival''.<ref name="autobiography">[https://www.amazon.com/Death-Clutch-Determination-Domination-Survival/dp/0062023128 Amazon.com Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival], Amazon.com. Retrieved September 7, 2015.</ref> He has appeared in the video games ''[[WWE Day of Reckoning]]'', ''[[WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw]]'', ''[[WWE 2K14]]'', ''[[WWE 2K15]]'', ''[[WWE 2K16]]'', [[WWE 2K17|''WWE 2K17'']], ''[[WWE 2K18]]'', ''[[WWE 2K19]]'', ''[[WWE 2K20]], [[WWE 2K22]], [[WWE 2K23]],'' and [[WWE 2K24|''WWE 2K24'']]. Heyman portrayed a sports announcer in 2002's ''[[Rollerball (2002 film)|Rollerball]]'', <ref name="Encyclopedia223">{{cite book|title=[[WWE Encyclopedia]]|last1=Shields|first1=Brian|last2=Sullivan|first2=Kevin|page=[https://archive.org/details/wweencyclopediad0000shie/page/223 223]|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-7566-4190-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/rollerball-3-1200551475/|title=Rollerball|first=Robert|last=Koehler|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/rollerball-2002|title=Rollerball|first=Roger|last=Ebert|author-link=Roger Ebert|date=February 8, 2002|publisher=rogerebert.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Simmons|first=Bill|url=http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/020214|title=Dropping the 'Rollerball'|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=February 13, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427124712/http://proxy.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons%2F020214|archive-date=April 27, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and an uncredited role in the WWE film ''[[Countdown (2016 film)|Countdown]]''. After a family emergency forced the original actor to pull out, he was chosen by ''I Am Legend'' executive producer Michael Tadross to play "Gino" in the film adaptation of the long-running [[Off-Broadway]] show ''[[Tony n' Tina's Wedding]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0375145/trivia|title=Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding (2004) Trivia|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=April 5, 2016}}</ref> ==Personal life== Heyman is a father of two children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amp.miamiherald.com/sports/fighting/article1978932.html|title=Paul Heyman discusses WWE DVD 'Ladies and Gentlemen, My Name is Paul Heyman'}}</ref> Heyman suffers from [[insomnia]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.sescoops.com/2016/03/paul-heyman-on-brock-lesnars-current-role-in-wwe-says-he-works-22-hours-a-day/|title=Paul Heyman Says He Works 22 Hours a Day, Talks Differences in Lesnar's Current WWE Run|newspaper=Se Scoops &#124; Wrestling News, Results & Interviews |date=March 18, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/wwe-news-paul-heyman-says-he-works-22-hours-a-day|title=WWE News: Paul Heyman says he works 22 hours a day|date=March 21, 2016}}</ref> He is a film enthusiast who cites ''[[Angels with Dirty Faces]]'' (1938) and ''[[Léon: The Professional]]'' (1994) as his favorite films, and a great admirer of punk musician [[Henry Rollins]], whom he described as "one of the most underrated social commentators out there".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wrestlingfigs.com/wrestlingnews/exclusive-interview-with-paul-heyman-ugo/|title=EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH PAUL HEYMAN @ UGO &#124; WrestlingFigs}}</ref> Former ECW wrestler [[Tommy Dreamer]] has spoken about how he planned to assassinate Heyman at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]] due to Heyman's financial mistreatment of both Dreamer and other ECW wrestlers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://talksport.com/sport/wrestling/728721/tommy-dreamer-murder-paul-heyman-wrestlemania/|title = Tommy Dreamer planned to murder Paul Heyman at WM 17 and then commit suicide|date = July 8, 2020}}</ref> == Awards and accomplishments == *'''''Inside The Ropes Magazine''''' ** Manager of the Year (2020) * '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]''''' ** [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Faction of the Year|Faction of the Year]] (2022) – with [[The Bloodline (professional wrestling)|The Bloodline]] ** [[PWI Manager of the Year|Manager of the Year]] (1992) * '''[[WWE]]''' ** [[WWE Hall of Fame#Class of 2024|WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2024)]] ** [[WWE Year-End Award]] (1 time) *** Best on the Mic (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/wwe-announces-year-end-awards-instagram-becky-lynch-braun-strowman/|title=411MANIA|website=WWE Announces Year-End Awards on Instagram}}</ref> ** [[Slammy Award]] (1 time) *** Mic Drop of the Year ([[Slammy Award#2024 Slammy Awards|2024]]) – {{small|Telling [[Cody Rhodes]] that his father, [[Dusty Rhodes]], told him that "[[Roman Reigns]] was the son he always wanted" on ''[[WWE Raw|Raw]]'' (February 6, 2023)}} * '''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]''''' ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (2023) {{small|as part of [[The Bloodline (professional wrestling)|The Bloodline]] vs. [[Kevin Owens]] [[Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn|and]] [[Sami Zayn]]}}<ref name= name="Melz23">{{cite web |last1=Meltzer |first1=Dave |title=February 26, 2024 Observer Newsletter: 2023 Observer Awards issue |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/newsletters/wrestling-observer-newsletter/february-26-2024-observer-newsletter-2023-observer-awards-issue |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |date=February 23, 2024 |access-date=February 23, 2024}}</ref> ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Color Commentator|Best Color Commentator]] (1991) ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Booker|Best Booker]] (1994–1997, 2002)<ref name="WON11">{{cite journal|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 30, 2012|title=January 30 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Gigantic year-end awards issue, best and worst in all categories plus UFC on FX 1, death of Savannah Jack, ratings, tons and tons of news|journal=[[Wrestling Observer|Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=Campbell, California|issn=1083-9593}}</ref> ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best on Interviews|Best on Interviews]] (2013–2014)<ref name="WON13">{{cite journal|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 27, 2014|title=Jan 27 2014 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2013 Annual awards issue, best in the world in numerous categories, plus all the news in pro-wrestling and MMA over the past week and more|journal=[[Wrestling Observer|Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=Campbell, California|issn=1083-9593|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/35067-jan-27-2014-wrestling-observer-newsletter-2013-annual-awards-issue-best-in-the-world-in-numerous-categories-plus-all-the-news-in-pro-wrestling-and-mma-over-the-past-week-and-more|pages=1–37|access-date=January 23, 2014|archive-date=August 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827052359/https://www.f4wonline.com/|url-status=dead}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref name="WON14">{{cite journal|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 26, 2015|title=Jan. 26, 2015 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2014 awards issue with results & commentary|journal=[[Wrestling Observer|Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=Campbell, California|issn=1083-9593|pages=10–23|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/40865-jan-26-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-2014-awards-issue-w-results-a-daves-commentary-conor-mcgregor-and-much-more|access-date=January 21, 2015|archive-date=February 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215081415/http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/40865-jan-26-2015-wrestling-observer-newsletter-2014-awards-issue-w-results-a-daves-commentary-conor-mcgregor-and-much-more|url-status=dead}}{{subscription required}}</ref> ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Non-Wrestler|Best Non-Wrestler]] (2001, 2002, 2004, 2012–2014, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)<ref name="WON11"/><ref name="WON13"/><ref name="WON14"/><ref name="WON12">{{cite journal|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 23, 2013|title=The 2012 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Annual Awards Issue|journal=[[Wrestling Observer|Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=Campbell, California|issn=1083-9593|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/110-wrestling-observer-newsletter/29425-the-2012-wrestling-observer-newsletter-annual-awards-issue|access-date=January 24, 2013|archive-date=April 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425050241/https://www.f4wonline.com/|url-status=dead}}{{subscription required}}</ref><ref name="WON2019">{{cite journal|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/march-13-2020-observer-newsletter-40th-annual-awards-issue-305806|title=March 13, 2020 Observer Newsletter: 40th Annual Awards Issue|first=Dave|last=Meltzer|author-link=Dave Meltzer|journal=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|date=March 5, 2020 |access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://wrestlepurists.com/2022-wrestling-observer-awards-results/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228204042/https://wrestlepurists.com/2022-wrestling-observer-awards-results/ |archive-date=February 28, 2023 |title=2022 Wrestling Observer Awards Results |work=WrestlePurists |author=Jaymond P |date=February 24, 2023 |access-date=March 4, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=February 2023 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Results of the 2022 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|date=February 2023|journal=Wrestling Observer Newsletter}}</ref> ** Best Non-Wrestler of the Decade (2010s)<ref name="f4wonline.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/daily-updates/daily-update-coronavirus-notes-noah-wrestlemania-307636|title = Daily Update: Coronavirus notes, NOAH, WrestleMania| newspaper=Won/F4W - Wwe News, Pro Wrestling News, Wwe Results, Aew News, Aew Results |date = March 29, 2020}}</ref> ** Best on Interviews of the Decade (2010s)<ref name="f4wonline.com"/> ** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic|Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic]] (2012) <small>Angle with [[CM Punk]], exploiting [[Jerry Lawler]]'s real-life heart attack, playing footage of him near death</small><ref name="WON12" /> ** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#Inductees|Class of 2005]]) ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== {{Sister project links|wikt=no|commons=Category:Paul Heyman|b=no|n=no|q=no|s=no|v=no|species=no}} * {{wwe superstar|paulheyman|Paul Heyman}} *{{twitter}} * {{IMDb name|382280|Paul Heyman}} * [http://www.heymanhustle.com Heyman Hustle Official Website] * {{Professional wrestling profiles}} {{Wikiquote}} {{Extreme Championship Wrestling}} {{The Bloodline}} {{TheShield WWE}} {{WWE personnel}} {{WWE Hall of Fame}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Heyman, Paul}} [[Category:1965 births]] [[Category:21st-century American Jews]] [[Category:American color commentators]] [[Category:American male professional wrestlers]] [[Category:American male television writers]] [[Category:American photographers]] [[Category:American sports businesspeople]] [[Category:American television writers]] [[Category:Businesspeople from the Bronx]] [[Category:Edgemont Junior – Senior High School alumni]] [[Category:Jewish American screenwriters]] [[Category:Jewish professional wrestlers]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:People from Scarsdale, New York]] [[Category:Professional wrestling announcers]] [[Category:Professional wrestling managers and valets]] [[Category:Professional wrestling promoters]] [[Category:Professional wrestling trainers]] [[Category:Professional wrestling writers]] [[Category:Screenwriters from New York (state)]] [[Category:Sportspeople from the Bronx]] [[Category:Dangerous Alliance members]] [[Category:Wrestling Observer Newsletter award winners]] [[Category:WWE executives]] [[Category:WWE Hall of Fame inductees]] [[Category:Professional wrestlers from New York City]]'