Paul Heyman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paul Heyman |
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Heyman in 2024
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| Born | September 11, 1965 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Alma mater | SUNY Purchase |
| Spouse(s) |
Marla Heyman
(m. 2001; div. 2004) |
| Children | 2 |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Paul Heyman Paul E. Dangerously |
| Billed from | Scarsdale, New York |
Paul Heyman (born September 11, 1965) is an American professional wrestling manager and promoter. He is currently signed to WWE, where he is known for managing some of the biggest superstars in wrestling history. Many people consider him one of the greatest managers of all time because of his amazing speaking skills on the microphone.
Heyman became famous in the late 1980s as a manager named Paul E. Dangerously. He worked for big companies like World Championship Wrestling (WCW). In 1993, he took over a small promotion and turned it into Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). ECW became famous for its wild and aggressive style, which changed wrestling forever.
After ECW closed in 2001, Heyman joined WWE. He has worked as a commentator, a writer, and a manager. He is famous for being the manager, or "advocate," for Brock Lesnar. He also managed other huge stars like CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins. In 2024, Heyman was honored for his amazing career by being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Start in Wrestling
Paul Heyman was born in the Bronx, New York City. His mother was a survivor of the Holocaust, and his father was a lawyer who served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Even as a kid, Heyman had a mind for business. At age 11, he ran a business from his home selling sports and celebrity items.
As a teenager, he loved wrestling and started taking pictures at events. He even got backstage access at Madison Square Garden and sold his photos to wrestling magazines. At age 14, he got a press pass from the company that would later become WWE. He learned a lot by watching famous wrestling managers like Lou Albano and Fred Blassie.
In 1985, when he was 19, Heyman started working as a photographer and promoter at the famous New York nightclub, Studio 54. He even put on a wrestling-themed party there, which featured future stars like Bam Bam Bigelow and wrestling legends like Ric Flair.
Professional Wrestling Career
Becoming Paul E. Dangerously
Heyman started his career as a manager in 1987. He created the character "Paul E. Dangerously," a loud New Yorker who always carried a giant mobile phone, which was a big deal back then. He used the phone as a prop and sometimes even as a weapon in matches.
He managed wrestlers in different promotions, including the American Wrestling Association (AWA). He became known for his ability to talk on the microphone and get the crowd excited or angry. This skill helped make his wrestlers seem like even bigger stars.
World Championship Wrestling (WCW)
In 1988, Heyman joined World Championship Wrestling (WCW). He managed a tag team called the Original Midnight Express. He also worked as a commentator with the legendary Jim Ross, who taught him a lot about how to present wrestling on TV.
In 1991, Heyman formed a group of villains called the Dangerous Alliance. The group included famous wrestlers like Rick Rude, Arn Anderson, and a young Steve Austin. The Dangerous Alliance was very successful, winning the United States and World Tag Team Championships. However, Heyman left WCW in 1993 after disagreements with the people in charge.
Leading Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
After leaving WCW, Heyman joined a small Philadelphia company called Eastern Championship Wrestling (ECW). He quickly became the head writer and creative force behind the show. In 1994, Heyman and ECW champion Shane Douglas famously broke away from the older National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). They renamed the company Extreme Championship Wrestling.
Under Heyman, ECW became a revolution in wrestling. It was known for its hardcore, high-flying, and intense style. ECW gave future stars like Rob Van Dam, Taz, and the Dudley Boyz their big break. The company had a loyal group of fans who loved its rebellious attitude.
Even though ECW was very popular, it struggled with money. By 2001, the company had to close down. But its influence on wrestling can still be seen today in major promotions like WWE.
First Run in WWE (2001–2006)
After ECW closed, Heyman joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), which was soon renamed WWE. He started as a commentator on Raw alongside Jim Ross. During the Invasion storyline, he led a group of former ECW wrestlers against the stars of WWE.
In 2002, Heyman became the manager for a new superstar named Brock Lesnar. With Heyman as his "agent," Lesnar quickly became the youngest WWE Champion in history. Heyman's promos helped make Lesnar seem like an unstoppable monster. He also worked behind the scenes as the head writer for SmackDown, a time many fans remember for its great stories and wrestling.
In 2005, WWE held a special event called ECW One Night Stand to celebrate the old promotion. It was so successful that WWE decided to bring back ECW as its third brand in 2006. Heyman was put in charge on-screen. However, he had creative disagreements with WWE chairman Vince McMahon, and he left the company at the end of 2006.
Return to WWE (2012–Present)
The Advocate for Brock Lesnar
Heyman returned to WWE in 2012, once again as the manager for Brock Lesnar. Lesnar had become a huge star in the UFC and wanted Heyman by his side. Heyman's job was to do all the talking for Lesnar, calling himself Lesnar's "advocate."
Later that year, Heyman also began managing CM Punk during his long reign as WWE Champion. In 2014, Heyman was in Lesnar's corner for one of the most shocking moments in wrestling history. At WrestleMania XXX, Lesnar defeated The Undertaker, ending his famous undefeated streak at WrestleMania.
For the next several years, Heyman was the voice behind Lesnar's dominant championship runs. He helped make Lesnar one of the most feared and respected athletes in WWE history.
The Wiseman for The Bloodline
In August 2020, Heyman shocked the world by aligning with Roman Reigns. Reigns had returned with a new, more aggressive attitude. Heyman became his "special counsel" and "Wiseman." He was a key part of Reigns's new group, The Bloodline.
With Heyman's guidance, Reigns became the "Tribal Chief" and held the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship for a record-breaking 1,316 days. The Bloodline storyline, with its family drama and betrayals, became one of the most popular stories in modern wrestling. Heyman's character was often caught in the middle of the conflict, adding to the drama.
Reigns's historic reign ended at WrestleMania XL when he lost to Cody Rhodes. Just before this event, Heyman was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, a tribute to his incredible career. After Reigns's loss, The Bloodline began to fall apart, and Heyman was kicked out of the group.
The Oracle
In April 2025, Heyman shocked the world again at WrestleMania 41. He betrayed both Roman Reigns and CM Punk, helping Seth Rollins win his match. Heyman then aligned himself with Rollins. He later added Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed to his new group. On Raw, Heyman announced his new title: the "Oracle."
Awards and Accomplishments
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- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Faction of the Year (2022) – with The Bloodline
- Manager of the Year (1992)
- WWE
- WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2024)
- WWE Year-End Award for Best on the Mic (2018)
- Slammy Award for Mic Drop of the Year (2024)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Best Booker (1994–1997, 2002)
- Best on Interviews (2013–2014)
- Best Non-Wrestler (2001, 2002, 2004, 2012–2014, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024)
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 2005)
Images for kids
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Heyman addressing the crowd at an ECW television taping in 1999
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Heyman (right) and his client Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 29
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Heyman with Lesnar in April 2014
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See also
In Spanish: Paul Heyman para niños
