The induction of Paul Heyman into the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame will occur at this year’s WrestleMania XL. And yet, Heyman is on double duty that weekend, as he leads the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, into the biggest match of the year against Cody Rhodes.
Let’s take a look at the history of Paul Heyman, a career which spans nearly four decades.
2024 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Paul Heyman
The son of a Holocaust survivor and born in 1965, Paul Heyman is a New Yorker, through and through. Growing up in the Bronx, his love of professional wrestling took off at a young age. By 11, he ran his own mail-order sports memorabilia company from home. A famous story describes Heyman as a teenager, talking his way backstage to a WWF show at Madison Square Garden and somehow being paid as a photographer.
It wouldn’t be until 1987 that he would take on the role of wrestling manager. Paul Heyman floated around numerous promotions early on in his now Fall of Fame career, including Jim Crockett Promotions, the AWA, and eventually World Championship Wrestling.
Most notably, he managed the ‘Dangerous Alliance’ of Rick Rude and ‘Stunning’ Steve Austin, all while portraying the character of Paul E. Dangerously–every coked up, New York yuppie stereotype imaginable.
A Hardcore Past
Depending on how old you are, Heyman’s claim to fame is being the booker and face of Extreme Championship Wrestling. Taking control of creative in 1993, Heyman would lead the upstart promotion towards underground acclaim. ECW was very much the promotion of violence, gore, and professional wrestling workrate. However, nothing lasts forever. A number of poor creative and financial decisions would lead Heyman out the door and WWE would purchase the rights in 2003.
However, Paul Heyman’s most recognized role in a WWE Hall of Fame inductee career comes as the manager and advocate of Brock Lesnar & Roman Reigns.
Paul’s character would continue this role in WWE on and off throughout two decades, managing the likes of CM Punk, Cesaro, and the eventual Tribal Chief himself.
WWE says in regards to Paul Heyman’s 2024 WWE Hall of Fame induction: “Heyman’s influence on sports-entertainment has become immeasurable, as his brash, in-your-face attitude has paved the way for multiple generations of managers and Superstars. With a resume that is unmatched, Heyman now takes his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame.“
Keep an eye out for the next round of Hall of Fame inductees.
