Congratulations To Paul Heyman.
As first announced by The Associated Press, Heyman will be recognised for his contributions to wrestling on April 5th in Philadelphia as he will be inducted into the 2024 Hall of Fame at the ceremony that takes place the night before WrestleMania 40 at the Wells Fargo Center.
When asked about the induction by Dan Gelston, Heyman responded that he feels like he has much more to do in the wrestling world:
“I consistently feel like I’m just getting started, and I’m just figuring this out,” Heyman said. “To me, what is an incomplete body of work, because there’s still things I want to accomplish, I never felt comfortable accepting that is a reflection upon an entire career.”
Although currently ingratiated in WWE as The Wise Man to Roman Reigns, Heyman would at on point find himself competing against the global empire as the head of ECW. Popularising a violent style of wrestling and giving a spotlight to those overlooked by WWE and WCW, Heyman’s anti-establishment promotion still influences modern wrestling today with no disqualification matches being a staple of modern wrestling in top promotions around the world. With the extreme promotion calling Philadelphia its spiritual home, there is no better place for Heyman to be honoured.
Commenting on his creation, Heyman said the following:
“The extreme in ECW stood for the work ethic involved, the passion that was necessary and the extreme connection to an audience to whom and for whom we were always obsessed with underpromising and overdelivering,” Heyman said. “The legacy of ECW is firmly rooted in the very simple concepts of paying attention to the cultural curve and obsessively trying to stay a few steps ahead of it.”
First known as Paul E. Dangerously in WCW, Heyman would manage the Dangerous Alliance faction that consisted of Steve Austin, Arn Anderson and Rick Rude. Following his departure from the promotion in 1993, Heyman founded ECW and went on to change the wrestling world forever.
Following the closure of the brand, Heyman would make the jump to WWE as an announcer but would revive the extreme brand in the Invasion era to join forces with WCW.
Following the conclusion of the Invasion storyline, Heyman would introduce WWE fans to his legendary skills as an advocate and on the mic when he was paired up with Brock Lesnar shortly after WrestleMania 18. With Lesnar being the first Paul Heyman guy in the company, many Superstars such as Kurt Angle, CM Punk and now Roman Reigns would find significant success under the tutelage of Heyman.
Along with his roles onscreen, Heyman would become a significant influence in the creative process, including being an integral part of the rise of SmackDown in the Ruthless Aggression Era.
Still a major part of WWE in the modern era, Heyman joined Roman Reigns in 2020, elevating The Tribal Chief to the star that he is today and remaining a key part of The Bloodline.
As noted in a new report, Paul Heyman’s induction will be a historic one.
The Wrestling World Reacts To Paul Heyman’s Honour
The wrestling world has begun to congratulate Heyman on the honour. Triple H noted the many roles Heyman has been a part of in wrestling, adding that it’s better that the master of the microphone himself discuss his accomplishments:
He’s been a promoter, a manager, an executive, a “Wiseman,” and now, a @WWE Hall of Famer. There’s more to say about @HeymanHustle, but as always, it’s best to let him say it himself… with a live microphone in Philadelphia. #WWEHOF
Acknowledging The Wiseman’s achievement, Roman Reigns kept things brief but respectful:
— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) March 4, 2024
Roman Reigns has since speculated on who would be capable of inducting Paul Heyman into the Hall Of Fame, joking the Wise Man should do it himself for a double payday.
2 days later Bull Nakano was the second inductee announced for the Hall of Fame.
Everyone at Inside The Ropes would like to congratulate Paul Heyman on his upcoming Hall of Fame induction.