Paul Heyman Biography
Paul Heyman is an American professional wrestling manager, executive, and former promoter who was born on September 11, 1965. He is presently employed by WWE, where he can be seen on SmackDown as Roman Reigns’ special counsel.
Heyman made his professional wrestling debut in 1986. From 1993 until its dissolution in 2001, he was the CEO and driving force behind the Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) promotion. Prior to becoming the owner of ECW, he managed World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and other promotions as Paul E. Dangerously. He was listed as one of Advertising Age’s Top 100 Global Marketers and is a co-owner of the Looking4Larry Agency in New York City.
A record six world champions in the WWE have been managed or assisted by Heyman (Big Show, Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, and Roman Reigns). Critics have applauded his promotion and management abilities. Heyman is considered by many to be among the best managers in the history of professional wrestling. In addition, he has occasionally participated in matches as a comic foil, such as the 2002 Rebellion event’s main event.
Basic Information | |
Stage Name: | Paul Heyman, Paul E. Dangerously |
Real Name: | Paul Heyman |
Occupation: | Professional wrestling manager, former promoter, photographer, and executive |
Date Of Birth/Age: | September 11, 1965 (58 Years Old) |
Place of Birth: | The Bronx, New York, U.S. |
Gender: | Male |
Nationality: | American |
Marital Status: | Marla Heyman (ex-wife) |
Education: | Unknown |
Early life
On September 11, 1965, Heyman was born in the Bronx borough of New York City. He was the son of Sulamita (née Szarf; 1928–2009) and Richard S. Heyman (1926–2013), who were Jewish parents. His mother was a Holocaust survivor who endured suffering at Auschwitz, Bergen-Belsen, and the Łódź Ghetto, while his father was a well-known personal injury lawyer and World War II veteran. At the age of eleven, he was operating a mail-order company out of his house, selling sports and celebrity memorabilia. He fast-talked his way backstage as a photojournalist at a World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) event at Madison Square Garden when he was still a teenager.
The corporation rewarded him for a few of his photos. From Edgemont High School, he graduated. While attending SUNY Purchase, he worked as an opinionated and controversial host on the radio stations of SUNY and Westchester Community College’s WARY-FM in New York. In 1985, at the age of 19, he started working as a photographer and later moved on to become a producer and promoter for Studio 54, a nightclub in New York City.
Legacy
Numerous wrestling enthusiasts and critics have commended Heyman for his efforts as a promoter and booker. Former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Raven referred to him as “the most creative genius the business has ever seen”. Former WWE manager and pundit Jim Cornette called Heyman “a genius,” while another former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Tazz agreed, calling him a “genius”. Heyman is considered by many to be among the best speakers in the history of professional wrestling.
Conversely, Heyman has a reputation for having a challenging personality and has engaged in multiple feuds with wrestlers, including as AJ Styles, Gallows, and Anderson. Tommy Dreamer, a former ECW wrestler, revealed his plans to kill Paul Heyman at WrestleMania X-Seven because of Heyman’s financial maltreatment of Dreamer.
In addition to praising and criticizing Heyman, professional wrestling promoter and booker Eric Bischoff said, “The idea of working with Paul wasn’t going to make me go, ‘ooh wow, I wonder what that’s going to be like.'” Not to mention that our relationship wasn’t always that fantastic. He was doing his thing and I was doing mine; there was no hostility between us at all.”
“Paul and I spent a lot of time chatting, both creatively and historically, as well as just our general feelings about things, and we formed a terrific friendship by the time I went to WWE and WCW and ECW had both folded. We kind of maintained things kayfabe as we never knew when we could get a chance to work together for financial gain. As a result, we kind of wanted people to believe the untrue narrative that “Heyman hates Bischoff” and “Bischoff hates Heyman.”
Heyman’s former broadcast partner in the WWE, Jim Ross, a prominent professional wrestling announcer who worked with him in both WCW and the WWE, lauded him in 2021, saying, “He’s just so damn smart and he gets it.” He was doing this with complete knowledge. He was a great adversary because often the greatest antagonists are the ones who make statements that you know are true but find difficult to listen to. Heyman was credible and capable of presenting his side of the story. He just wasn’t a jerk trying to impress himself; instead, he successfully overcame talent.
Other media and endeavors
Heyman is a co-founder of The Looking4Larry Agency, a renowned company in New York City. With its first campaign featuring Electronic Arts, THQ video games, 2K Sports, the Hard Rock Hotel, and Casino Las Vegas, the company set new standards. Heyman also collaborated with Brock Lesnar in Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival, Lesnar’s autobiography. WWE Day of Reckoning, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw, WWE 2K14, WWE 2K15, WWE 2K16, WWE 2K17, WWE 2K18, WWE 2K19, WWE 2K20, WWE 2K22, and WWE 2K23 are among the video games in which he features.
Heyman played a sportscaster in the film Rollerball (2002).as well as an uncredited part in the WWE movie Countdown. He was selected by I Am Legend executive producer Michael Tadross to play “Gino” in the movie version of the long-running Off-Broadway production of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding when the original actor had to withdraw due to a family emergency.
Personal life
Heyman is a parent of two kids.
Heyman experiences sleeplessness. He is a movie buff who lists his two favorite movies as Léon: The Professional (1994) and Angels with Dirty Faces (1938). He also adores punk singer Henry Rollins, calling him “one of the most underrated social commentators out there.”
Trivia
His highly acclaimed tenure as Smackdown’s general manager revived the UPN program’s declining viewership. On the UPN Network, however, he brought Smackdown to its highest ratings in years as Head Writer. Ever since his departure from the role, Smackdown has failed to regain such stats.
Oversaw the ascent of Olympic Gold Medallist Kurt Angle, “The Next Big Thing,” Brock Lesnar, and the seven-foot-tall “Big Show” to the WWE Championship. It is unlikely that any other agent or manager in wrestling history will ever be able to “represent” (on-camera, in storyline form) three successive WWE Champions like Heyman has.
Steve Austin’s former manager, dubbed “Stone Cold” is also acknowledged in the autobiographies of Austin and Mick Foley as the one whose directing skills enabled them to identify the excellence in their interviews.
For his performance as the English-speaking Announcer in the heavily criticized John McTiernan adaptation of Rollerball (2002), Heyman garnered widespread acclaim. Heyman was described by Variety as “the saving grace of the film.”
didn’t show up for the Tony & Tina’s Wedding (2004) Gino audition. The original actor had to back out due to a family issue, therefore he was cast in the role.
Steve Austin, CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, The Dudley Boyz, Cesaro, Curtis Axel, Ryback, Kurt Angle, The Big Show, Mark Callous (The Undertaker), Nathan Jones, Dennis Condrey, Randy Rose, Bobby Eaton, Arn Anderson, Larry Zbyszko, Rick Rude, Charlie Haas, Shelton Benjamin, Auston Idol, Tommy Rich, A-Train, Heidenreich, Hardcore Holly, Eddie Gilbert, Jimmy Snuka, Dark Patriot, Don Muraco, T.A.
In WCW as “The Dangerous Alliance,” Heyman also oversaw Bobby Eaton, Arn Anderson, Madusa, Steve Austin (Stone Cold), and Ravishing Rick Rude. In the WWE, he oversaw champions Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, and The Big Show.
made his managing debut in Florida Championship Wrestling in 1987 as the manager of Tombstone (Mark Dumer), ring name Paul E. Dangerously.
premieres The Heyman Hustle on Sun-TV as NewsCorp unveils The Heyman Hustle as the centerpiece of its global broadband television network.
Heyman became a vital member of the writing staff and color commentator for WWE when the wrestling business merged in 2001. WWE bought the ECW library of videos. The best-selling wrestling DVD of all time is THE RISE AND FALL OF ECW, a documentary about Heyman’s revolutionary style of wrestling that served as the impetus for the 1990s wrestling boom.
Former manager of “Mean” Mark Callaway, a.k.a. the Undertaker in World Wrestling Entertainment.
ranked among the Top 100 Global Marketers by Advertising Age magazine for his stealthy promotion of ECW Extreme Championship Wrestling, when he faced off against WWE and WCW billionaires Ted Turner and Vince McMahon.
Resign as SmackDown’s general manager! Eric Bischoff, the General Manager of RAW, after being drafted.
In 1993, Paul Heyman took over as Eastern Championship Wrestling’s booker. After Tod Gordon sold him ECW in 1996, he changed the name of the business to Extreme Championship Wrestling.
Heyman produces and hosts NewsCorp’s main broadband television program in the UK, The Heyman Hustle, which serves as the centerpiece of the company’s new global broadband television network. Controversial interviews featuring Holly Madison, Aubrey O’Day, James Lipton, Jesse Ventura, The Naked Cowboy, Ice-T, and Coco have been posted on the show.
His father, personal injury attorney Richard Heyman, served in the American Navy during World War 2. Sulamita Heyman, his mother, lived through the Holocaust and survived the Lodz Ghetto, Auschwitz, and Bergen-Belsen.
possesses a son, Jacob Heyman, and a daughter, Azalea Heyman.
The USA Network orders the pilot for “Turf,” a show packaged by William Morris, hosted by The Firm, and executive produced by Heyman.
The former leader of the Dangerous Alliance in WCW (early 1990s).
Following WWE No Mercy, Vince McMahon named him the new General Manager of WWE Smackdown after Stephanie lost her I Quit match at the Pay Per View, under the condition that if she lost, she would no longer hold that position.
On March 5, 2001, Jerry Lawler was replaced as the WWF color commentator.
became the head of OVW booking when Jim Cornette was dismissed by WWE.
Leading and promoting the one-time WWE/ECW PPV, ECW One Night Stand, is back on WWE programming.
Joins the WWE RAW Writing Staff under Brian Gewirtz’s direction.
been freed from the ECW
Quotes
We are about wrestling, not sports entertainment!
“Well, has the commentary on this show sucked without me or what?” the commentator exclaimed as soon as he began providing color commentary on WWF Raw is War once again.
Regarding the rebirth of ECW, during the 2006 ECW One Night Stand pay-per-view: The Tribe of Extreme has risen once more!
From a creative standpoint, I believe that Mick Foley’s “anti-hardcore” promos from 1995 were the most inventive and skillfully executed interviews in the history of [professional wrestling].
In 21-1, I am the One behind the One.
Brock Lesnar, one of my clients, won The Streak!
How come? What surprises you about this? I warned you that this would occur. Did you question my approach? Did you seriously question my ability to inspire the most decorated athlete in WWE history to achieve his true calling and end the streak? The NCAA Division 1 heavyweight title was won by Brock Lesnar. A South Dakota dairy farm boy? After just four months in the company, Brock Lesnar pins The Rock in the center of the ring to become the Undisputed champion, making him the youngest WWE champion ever.
In his third UFC bout, Brock Lesnar defeats the all-time great heavyweight contender Randy Couture to win the heavyweight title. Why did you ever think that this man couldn’t break the streak? And when he follows Paul Heyman’s plan… You know I’ve always desired the streak. What I sought was mine. Yes, even though I’m walking through the Valley of the Deadman, I don’t fear evil because I’m walking by Brock Lesnar, so yes, I get whatever I desire.
Where is Paul Heyman from?
In Westchester County, New York, the United States, is home to the town and village of Scarsdale. Although the Village of Scarsdale and the Town of Scarsdale are coextensive, the community has chosen to function exclusively through a village administration. This is one of numerous communities in the state with a comparable administrative structure.
Which Paul brother is in WWE?
Logan and Jake Paul moved from Disney Channel to YouTube and then to the boxing ring and the WWE, in that order.
Who is Paul Heyman best friend?
Paul Heyman, a WWE veteran, discusses how his bond with Brock Lesnar has endured through the years. Heyman stated in a previous interview that he and Lesnar remain friends because he is trustworthy and never fails to disappoint Brock.