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Paul Heyman
Heyman in 2024
Born (1965-09-11) September 11, 1965 (age 59)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma materSUNY Purchase
Children2
Websitewww.heymanhustle.com
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Paul Heyman
Paul E. Dangerously
Billed fromScarsdale, New York[1]

Paul Heyman (born September 11, 1965) is an American professional wrestling manager, executive, and former promoter. He is signed to WWE, where he appears on the SmackDown brand as the on-screen manager for Roman Reigns.

Born in Scarsdale, New York, Heyman debuted in the professional wrestling business in 1986, becoming known as the 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.

In WWE, Heyman has served as manager for a record seven world champions (The Undertaker, Big Show, Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, CM Punk, Rob Van Dam, and Roman Reigns). Besides Reigns, he also managed several members of the dynastic Anoaʻi family of Samoan professional wrestlers. Critics have praised his managing and promo skills.[2][3][4][5][6] He has also competed sporadically in matches, usually as a comedic foil, including in the main event of the 2002 Rebellion event.

Heyman was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 2005 and the WWE Hall of Fame on April 5, 2024.[7]

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Early life

Paul Heyman was born on September 11, 1965, in the Bronx, New York City, to Sulamita (née Szarf; 1928–2009) and Richard S. Heyman (1926–2013), both of Jewish descent.[8][9] His mother was a Holocaust survivor who endured the Łódź Ghetto and was later imprisoned at Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen concentration camps. His father was a personal injury attorney and served in the United States Navy during World War II.[10][11][12][13]

From a young age, Heyman exhibited entrepreneurial instincts. By age 11, he operated a mail-order business from his home, selling celebrity and sports memorabilia. During his teenage years, he began attending events at Madison Square Garden, where he gained backstage access as a self-proclaimed photojournalist for wrestling publications. Some of his photographs were published by the World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). He later graduated from Edgemont High School and attended SUNY Purchase, where he worked as an on-air personality at the college's radio station. He also hosted programs on WARY-FM, a station affiliated with Westchester Community College. In 1985, at age 19, Heyman began working as a photographer and subsequently as a producer and promoter at the New York City nightclub Studio 54.[14]

Professional wrestling career

Early interests and formative years (1970s–1986)

Heyman's interest in professional wrestling began in childhood and was solidified after watching a televised interview between Vince McMahon and "Superstar" Billy Graham.[15] At the age of 13, he began photographing wrestling events in New York City and later invested in his own photo lab to develop and sell his work.[16] He published The Wrestling Times Magazine, a self-produced newsletter, and contributed to wrestling periodicals such as Pro Wrestling Illustrated.[15][17]

In 1980, at the age of 14, Heyman contacted Capitol Wrestling Corporation—the parent company of the WWWF—and secured a press pass for an event at Madison Square Garden. His presence at such events resulted in posed photographs with leading heel managers of the era, including Lou Albano, Fred Blassie, and The Grand Wizard. These images were later published by Pro Wrestling Illustrated, which characterized Heyman as having learned from the so-called “Three Wise Men” of heel management.[18]

Heyman’s proactive approach continued throughout his adolescence. He attended tapings for Jim Crockett Promotions, where he met Dusty Rhodes after entering a production meeting.[15][19] In 1985, Heyman began working at Studio 54, initially as a photographer before being promoted to producer. That same year, he organized “Wrestle Party ’85”, a professional wrestling-themed event at the venue. The show featured the debut of Bam Bam Bigelow and included appearances by Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, and Magnum T.A., who were sent by Jim Crockett in response to Heyman’s outreach.[15]

Early managerial career (1987–1988)

Heyman made his managerial debut on January 2, 1987, with encouragement from Bigelow. He began working on the independent circuit in the Northeastern United States before joining Championship Wrestling from Florida (CWF) in February of that year. There, he aligned with Kevin Sullivan and Oliver Humperdink, adopting the ring name "Paul E. Dangerously"—a character inspired by Michael Keaton’s role in Johnny Dangerously.[15][16]

Following CWF's acquisition by Jim Crockett Promotions, Heyman transitioned to the Memphis-based Continental Wrestling Association (CWA), where he managed Tommy Rich and Austin Idol in a high-profile feud with Jerry Lawler. This storyline would later extend into the American Wrestling Association (AWA), where the Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose) took over as Heyman's clients.[15][17]

The Paul E. Dangerously persona—a brash, fast-talking New Yorker often seen with a mobile phone—was a theatrical extension of Heyman's own personality. The mobile phone, at the time an expensive status symbol, became a trademark prop and was occasionally used as a weapon during matches, a creative decision inspired by the character Gordon Gekko from Wall Street.[15]

After leaving the AWA, Heyman returned to the CWA and formed an alliance with Eddie Gilbert and Missy Hyatt, engaging in a renewed feud with Lawler. Heyman subsequently joined the Alabama-based Continental Wrestling Federation, where Gilbert served as head booker and Heyman worked as his assistant. Concurrently, Heyman held the position of head booker for Windy City Wrestling in Chicago, further establishing his reputation as an innovative writer and producer of wrestling television.[15]

National Wrestling Alliance / World Championship Wrestling (1988–1993)

Main article: Dangerous Alliance

In 1988, Heyman joined Jim Crockett Promotions, which soon became part of World Championship Wrestling (WCW). Reprising his Paul E. Dangerously persona, he managed the Original Midnight Express (Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose) in a storyline rivalry against the new incarnation of the team—Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane—who were aligned with manager Jim Cornette. During this period, Heyman also briefly managed "Mean" Mark Callous, the future Undertaker in WWE.[15]

Although originally brought in as an on-screen manager, Heyman gradually transitioned into broadcasting. He became a color commentator alongside Jim Ross, calling matches for World Championship Wrestling on WTBS and other WCW programming. Heyman would later credit Ross with significantly shaping his understanding of wrestling presentation and production.[15] Between stints with WCW, Heyman was briefly hired as a writer for International Championship Wrestling (ICW), but was dismissed during his first taping session.[20]

In 1991, WCW sought to reestablish its heel roster and reintroduced Heyman as an on-screen manager. He was positioned as the leader of a new faction, the Dangerous Alliance, with Rick Rude as its focal point. The stable also included Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko, and a young Steve Austin, among others. According to Heyman, he and Austin both considered Rude a mentor during this time.[15] Under Heyman's management, Rude captured the United States Heavyweight Championship, while Anderson and Eaton won the World Tag Team Championship. The Dangerous Alliance was prominently featured throughout 1992 and was widely regarded as one of WCW’s top villainous factions.[21][22]

Heyman's tenure with WCW came to an end following backstage conflicts with then-booker Bill Watts. In early 1993, Heyman filed a lawsuit against WCW, alleging wrongful termination and ethnic discrimination. The matter was resolved privately out of court.[23][24][25][26]

Eastern Championship Wrestling/Extreme Championship Wrestling (1993–2001)

Main article: Extreme Championship Wrestling
Heyman at an ECW show in 1998
Heyman addressing the crowd at an ECW television taping in 1999

Following his departure from WCW in 1993, Heyman briefly explored launching a new wrestling promotion in Texas alongside former WCW executive Jim Crockett Jr. However, creative differences quickly emerged. Crockett favored a traditional wrestling product, while Heyman advocated for a modernized, edgier approach that he believed better reflected contemporary audiences's tastes.[27]

Around the same time, Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW), a Philadelphia-based affiliate of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), was being booked by Eddie Gilbert under the ownership of local businessman Tod Gordon. Heyman joined the promotion initially to assist with talent development, specifically in teaching younger wrestlers how to deliver effective promos.[15] However, Gilbert's increasingly erratic behavior led to a falling out with Gordon shortly before the UltraClash event on September 18, 1993. In the aftermath, Heyman assumed full creative control of ECW and, under his Paul E. Dangerously persona, resumed managing talents including Sabu and 911.

By 1994, ECW had become a central figure within the struggling NWA. The organization agreed to host a tournament for the vacant NWA World Heavyweight Championship, with the intention of crowning ECW's Shane Douglas as the new champion. However, Heyman, Gordon, and Douglas secretly devised an alternate outcome. After winning the tournament, Douglas delivered a scathing promo in which he denounced the NWA as an outdated institution. He threw down the championship belt and declared the ECW title to be a legitimate world championship, effectively severing ECW’s ties with the NWA in what became known as a “shoot” moment.[28]

In the aftermath of the incident, Heyman and Gordon rebranded the promotion, dropping "Eastern" from its name and relaunching it as Extreme Championship Wrestling. With its new identity, ECW emphasized a gritty, hard-hitting product and encouraged performers to express unfiltered views about rival promotions such as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and WCW. In May 1995, Heyman purchased Gordon’s stake in the company, becoming its sole owner.[29]

Despite ECW’s rebellious image, Heyman quietly maintained a working relationship with WWF Chairman Vince McMahon. Under a developmental-style arrangement, the WWF paid Heyman to feature some of its contracted talent on ECW programming, including 2 Cold Scorpio and Terry Gordy. According to Heyman, McMahon paid him $1,000 per week for Scorpio's appearances.[15] Heyman later alleged that McMahon had lobbied USA Network executives to secure a television deal for ECW; however, those efforts were reportedly thwarted after USA Network President Steven Chau discovered an internal email from McMahon that undermined the negotiations.[30]

As ECW entered its final years, financial difficulties increasingly plagued the company. By 2000, Heyman had ceased appearing on-screen and was replaced behind the scenes by longtime ECW performer Tommy Dreamer in a leadership capacity.[15] Wrestlers were reportedly left uninformed about the promotion’s precarious status, and many were unpaid for extended periods.[31] ECW held its final event on April 4, 2001, and soon filed for bankruptcy, citing over $7 million in debt—including more than $3 million owed by In Demand, the pay-per-view provider.[31][32]

On January 28, 2003, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) acquired the assets of ECW from the promotion's parent company, HHG Corporation, through bankruptcy court proceedings. The purchase included ECW’s extensive video library, trademarks, and intellectual property.[33]

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (2001–2006)

Various roles (2001–2005)

Following the closure of ECW in early 2001, Heyman joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE), where he replaced Jerry Lawler as a commentator on Raw Is War in March. Lawler had resigned in protest after his then-wife, The Kat, was released from the company. Heyman resumed his on-screen rivalry with fellow commentator Jim Ross, providing color commentary during a transitional period for the company.

In July 2001, during the Invasion storyline, Heyman returned to a managerial role by resurrecting ECW as an on-screen stable. The faction merged with Shane McMahon’s WCW contingent to form the Alliance, a supergroup of former WCW and ECW wrestlers who opposed the WWF roster. Heyman served as the group's mouthpiece until the storyline concluded at Survivor Series in November, when the Alliance lost a winner-takes-all match. Following the defeat, Heyman's character was fired and he was removed from commentary, with Lawler returning to his previous position alongside Ross.[34][35]

Behind the scenes, Heyman became the lead writer for SmackDown! from July 2002 until February 2003. During this period, he helped differentiate the brand from Raw, focusing on athletic in-ring storytelling and elevating emerging talent. According to Heyman in his 2014 WWE documentary Ladies and Gentlemen, My Name Is Paul Heyman, the SmackDown brand outperformed Raw in television ratings, merchandise sales, and live attendance during this time, despite internal competition encouraged by Vince McMahon.

Heyman was also instrumental in the early career of Brock Lesnar. After being introduced to Lesnar by Tazz, Heyman began mentoring the then-developmental prospect. When Lesnar debuted on the main roster in 2002, Heyman was appointed as his on-screen manager. At SummerSlam that year, Heyman guided Lesnar to victory over The Rock, securing the WWE Undisputed Championship and making Lesnar the youngest champion in company history at the time. However, at Survivor Series in November, Heyman turned against Lesnar and aligned with Big Show, aiding him in capturing the title from Lesnar.[15][36]

In October 2003, after Stephanie McMahon lost a storyline match to her father, Vince McMahon, at No Mercy, she was (in storyline) forced to step down as General Manager of SmackDown!. Heyman returned to television to assume the role. During the 2004 WWE Draft Lottery on the March 22 episode of Raw, Heyman was drafted to the Raw brand, which was overseen by Eric Bischoff. However, Heyman refused to work under Bischoff, whom he publicly blamed for the demise of ECW, and instead "quit" on-air.[citation needed] He was subsequently replaced as SmackDown! General Manager by his former client Kurt Angle on the March 25 episode.[37]

In July 2005, Heyman transitioned to WWE’s developmental system, taking over as head writer and booker for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW). During this time, he formed a working relationship with several young talents, most notably CM Punk, whom Heyman strongly advocated for in the years that followed.[15]

Return of ECW (2005–2006)

Heyman in the ring in 2006

Heyman returned to WWE television on May 23, 2005, in a segment with Vince McMahon and Eric Bischoff to announce ECW One Night Stand, a pay-per-view event honoring the legacy of Extreme Championship Wrestling. The event, held on June 12, 2005, marked the start of WWE’s renewed focus on the ECW brand, with Heyman serving as its on-screen figurehead.

In May 2006, WWE officially announced the relaunch of ECW as a third brand, joining Raw and SmackDown! under the WWE umbrella. Although Heyman had limited creative control off-screen, he was featured prominently on television as the “ECW Representative.” On the May 29 episode of Raw, Heyman announced that, as part of the relaunch, he had been granted draft picks from both Raw and SmackDown!—selecting Rob Van Dam and Kurt Angle, respectively. Heyman also predicted that Van Dam would defeat John Cena at the upcoming ECW One Night Stand event to win the WWE Championship and rechristen it under the ECW banner.

At One Night Stand on June 11, 2006, Van Dam defeated Cena to capture the WWE Championship in a match conducted under "ECW rules," which removed standard match restrictions. During the bout, Edge interfered, attacking Cena and leaving him vulnerable. Heyman then ran down to the ring and counted the pinfall himself in place of the incapacitated referee. The following night, Heyman declared Van Dam the "Undisputed WWE Champion" and, on the premiere episode of ECW on Sci Fi, presented him with the reactivated ECW World Heavyweight Championship. Van Dam retained both titles and was recognized as the dual champion.[citation needed]

On the July 4, 2006 episode of ECW, Heyman turned heel by aiding Big Show in defeating Van Dam for the ECW World Heavyweight Championship.

Heyman's tenure with WWE ended later that year following mounting creative disagreements. On December 4, during a Raw/ECW taping in Columbia, South Carolina, WWE publicly announced that Heyman had been sent home by Vince McMahon, citing low ratings and backstage dissatisfaction as reasons for his dismissal.[38] The departure followed the December to Dismember pay-per-view, which was poorly received by both fans and critics. Heyman had advocated for CM Punk to be booked as the breakout star of the event, proposing that he submit Big Show in the Extreme Elimination Chamber match. Big Show reportedly supported the idea, but McMahon overruled it, leading to Punk being eliminated early in the match.[15][39][40]

The creative tension between Heyman and McMahon culminated in a confrontation on McMahon’s private jet following the pay-per-view. Shortly thereafter, Heyman was removed from the creative team and effectively left the company, though he remained under contract for a period. He reportedly declined an offer from Stephanie McMahon to return as a writer for WWE's developmental programming. On December 17, 2006, Heyman officially parted ways with WWE.[41]

Return to WWE (2012–present)

Paul Heyman Guys (2012–2014)

Heyman brandishing the WWE Championship on behalf of champion CM Punk in December 2012

Heyman returned to WWE television on the May 7, 2012 episode of Raw, appearing as the legal representative of Brock Lesnar. On-screen, Heyman announced that Lesnar had quit WWE following a contract dispute. Behind the scenes, Heyman had initially been hesitant to return, citing lingering tensions with WWE management. However, he agreed after Lesnar personally requested his involvement, following criticism of Lesnar’s earlier promos.[15][42]

Heyman quickly became a central figure in Lesnar’s storylines, confronting Triple H and presenting him with a lawsuit on Lesnar’s behalf.[43] Lesnar eventually accepted Triple H’s challenge for a match at SummerSlam, where Lesnar defeated him.[44][45]

In September 2012, Heyman began a new on-screen alliance with WWE Champion CM Punk. Following a segment where Punk attacked John Cena, Heyman was shown driving Punk away, signaling their partnership. Heyman subsequently accompanied Punk to the ring during his title defenses and promos.

Heyman (right) and his client Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 29

As WrestleMania 29 approached in 2013, both of Heyman’s clients—Punk and Lesnar—were booked in high-profile matches: Punk challenged The Undertaker, while Lesnar faced Triple H in a No Holds Barred match with Triple H's career on the line. Both clients were defeated at the event.[46] The feud between Lesnar and Triple H continued, culminating in a steel cage match at Extreme Rules, where Lesnar emerged victorious with Heyman’s assistance.[47]

In May 2013, Heyman introduced Curtis Axel as the newest “Paul Heyman Guy.” Axel won the Intercontinental Championship at Payback with Heyman's support. That same night, Heyman accompanied Punk for his return match against Chris Jericho.

Tension escalated when Lesnar attacked Punk without warning. Heyman denied involvement, and Punk initially accepted his explanation. However, at Money in the Bank, Heyman betrayed Punk by knocking him off a ladder during the namesake match. The feud escalated with a series of confrontations, leading to a match between Punk and Lesnar at SummerSlam, which Lesnar won after interference from Heyman.[48][49][50]

Heyman and Axel continued to target Punk, leading to a Handicap elimination match at Night of Champions where Ryback interfered, aligning with Heyman and costing Punk the match.[51] The feud concluded at Hell in a Cell, where Punk defeated both Ryback and Heyman, attacking the latter atop the cell. In subsequent weeks, Heyman distanced himself from Ryback and Axel, formally ending their association. He returned later that year alongside Lesnar as they entered a feud with The Undertaker.

At WrestleMania XXX, Lesnar ended The Undertaker’s undefeated streak.[52] The following night, Heyman introduced Cesaro as a new client, though Cesaro later severed ties with Heyman.[citation needed]

Lesnar's sole managership (2014–2020)

Heyman (back) and WWE Champion Brock Lesnar at Night of Champions in 2014
Heyman (right) and Lesnar after the latter ended The Undertaker's streak at WrestleMania XXX

Heyman resumed his role as Lesnar’s advocate in 2014, helping orchestrate Lesnar’s WWE World Heavyweight Championship victory over John Cena at SummerSlam, in a match characterized by Lesnar's dominant performance.[53] Heyman continued to accompany Lesnar during subsequent feuds, including title defenses against John Cena and Seth Rollins.

At WrestleMania 31, Lesnar defended the title against Roman Reigns. However, Seth Rollins cashed in his Money in the Bank contract mid-match, pinning Reigns to win the title. Lesnar, frustrated by the outcome, attacked WWE officials the following night on Raw and was suspended in storyline.[54]

Lesnar and Heyman returned in mid-2015, feuding with Rollins and later reigniting a rivalry with The Undertaker. Lesnar lost to The Undetaker at SummerSlam but won the Hell in a Cell rematch at the namesake event.[citation needed]

Heyman in 2016

In 2016, Heyman and Lesnar were drafted to Raw.[55] That year, Lesnar defeated Dean Ambrose at WrestleMania 32 and Randy Orton at SummerSlam. Toward the end of 2016, Heyman was briefly hospitalized on-screen following a spear from Goldberg, who had returned to face Lesnar.[56]

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, they will both depart from the company.[57] At Summerslam, Lesnar defeated Roman Reigns, Samoa Joe, and Braun Strowman in a Fatal Four-Way to retain the Universal Championship.[citation needed]

At Extreme Rules 2018, Kurt Angle said that if Lesnar, then-reigning 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.[58] 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.[59] Two weeks later on the August 13, 2018 episode of Raw, Heyman revealed it was all a ruse as both Heyman (wielding pepper spray) and Lesnar ambushed 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, 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 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-vacant title at Crown Jewel, a match Lesnar won.[citation needed]

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.[60][non-primary source needed]

In June 2019, WWE announced that Heyman would be the executive director of Raw.[61] 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.[62]

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".[63]

The Bloodline (2020–2024)

See also: The Bloodline
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.[64] Besides his work as manager, Heyman also worked as a creative, deciding the storylines which include Reigns.[65] At the Crown Jewel event in October 2021, Reigns retained the Universal Championship after striking Lesnar with the title belt.[66] Heyman's alliance with Reigns ended on the December 17, 2021 episode of Smackdown after Reigns fired Heyman and attacked him.[67] As Reigns was about to hit him with a steel chair, Lesnar saved him from being attacked.[67]

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 Day 1.[68] The reunion was short-lived, as three weeks later at the 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.[69] Lesnar went on to win the Royal Rumble match and regained the WWE Championship at Elimination Chamber, setting up a Champion vs. Champion Winner Takes All Championship Unification match against Reigns at WrestleMania 38. Reigns defeated Lesnar, thus winning both the Universal and WWE Championships. 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 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 and was inducted on April 5.[70]

After Reigns' title loss, Heyman turned into a tweener, after his character became innocent when Solo Sikoa, who joined the stable in 2022, took temporary leadership of The Bloodline after exiling Jimmy Uso and inducting Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Jacob Fatu.[71][72][73] On the June 28 episode of SmackDown, Heyman was kicked out of The Bloodline after refusing to acknowledge Sikoa as the Tribal Chief, turning Heyman face for the first time since 2022 in the process.

Reigns' sole managership and reunion with CM Punk (2024–present)

On the November 15 episode of SmackDown, Reigns attempted to contact Heyman, however his number was no longer in service. On the November 22 episode of SmackDown, Heyman returned and announced CM Punk as the fifth member for the Original Bloodline's team for Survivor Series: WarGames.[74] After Survivor Series, Heyman would continue to manage Reigns without The Bloodline banner.[75] On the April 4 episode of SmackDown, Punk revealed that Heyman would not be in Reigns' corner at WrestleMania 41, but instead in his own, as part of a favor Punk called in for teaming with Reigns at Survivor Series.[76]

Reception and legacy

Heyman's work as a promoter and booker has been praised by many wrestling fellows and critics.[77][78][79][80][81] Former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Raven called him "the most creative genius the business has ever seen".[82] Raven's description of Heyman as a "genius" was echoed by Tazz and Jim Cornette.[83][84] Heyman has been described as the best orator in professional wrestling.[85] 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."[86]

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.[87] He has appeared in the video games WWE Day of Reckoning, WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw, WWE 2K14, WWE 2K15, WWE 2K16, WWE 2K17, WWE 2K18, WWE 2K19, WWE 2K20, WWE 2K22, WWE 2K23, WWE 2K24, and WWE 2K25 as a cover star.

Heyman portrayed a sports announcer in 2002's Rollerball,[88][89][90][91] and an uncredited role in the WWE 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.[92]

Personal life

Heyman is a father of two children.[93]

Heyman rarely sleeps more than three to four hours per night.[85][94][95] 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".[96]

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.[97]

Awards and accomplishments

Heyman was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2024

References

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