Paul Heyman

Paul Heyman is an American entertainment executive and performer signed with WWE. He was worked with WWF, WCW, NWA, and ECW. He is regarded as one of the best managers in the industry. He is currently the special counsel for The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Heyman is also announced to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in the Class of 2024.

Also Read: Who all are in Paul Heyman's Family?

Early Life

Paul Heyman, born in the Bronx, New York, on September 11, 1965, comes from a unique family background. His father, a distinguished lawyer and war veteran, stands in stark contrast to his mother, a Holocaust survivor. The two instilled in Heyman a strong work ethic. This was evident early on, as he had a mail-order business selling memorabilia by the age of eleven. His entrepreneurial spirit continued as a teenager, even leading him to talk his way backstage at a wrestling event, where he managed to sell some photographs.

Following his graduation from Edgemont High School, Heyman continued his education at SUNY Purchase. He found his voice as a radio host, known for his bold opinions and ability to stir the pot. This same boldness led him to a brief stint working behind the scenes at the legendary New York nightclub, Studio 54. This diverse set of experiences in his early life would later fuel Heyman's meteoric rise in the world of professional wrestling.

Professional Wrestling Career

Early Years, WCW, and ECW (1987-1993)

After spending his early years as a photographer for wrestling events, before breaking into the wrestling scene. In 1985, he began managing Bam Bam Bigelow on the independent circuit. After Jim Crockett acquired several independent promotions, Heyman began working at WCW. In 1988, Heyman began managing the Midnight Express. He also worked as a ring announcer. In 1992, he began managing The Dangerous Alliance when ended up winning the United States and Tag Team Championship.

After leaving for WCW, Heyman became the creative head of NWA. Heyman was the mastermind behind the controversial NWA screwjob which led to the birth of ECW. ECW became a direct competition to NWA, WWF, and WCW. During his time in ECW, Heyman and McMahon worked in secrecy and lent some WWF wrestlers to build the brand. In 2001, ECW was closed due to the financial troubles of the company.

WWE/F (2001-Present)

In 2001, Heyman became the head commentator for RAW by replacing Jerry Lawler. During the Invasion storyline, Heyman joined WCW and ECW. After the feud, Heyman became the lead writer for SmackDown. In 2002, Heyman began managing Brock Lesnar. After he turned on Lesnar, Heyman began managing The Big Show. In 2003, he became the general manager of SmackDown. In 2004, he quit his role as a manager when he was drafted to RAW under Eric Bischoff. Heyman began working backstage for OVW and worked on younger wrestlers.

In 2005, Heyman reappeared to announce ECW One Night Stand. In 2006, Heyman became the creative head of ECW. After McMahon blamed Heyman for poor ratings of ECW, Heyman parted ways with WWE. In 2012, Heyman returned to WWE and began managing Brock Lesnar. After the feud ended between Brock Lesnar and Triple H, Heyman began managing CM Punk. Along with Punk, Heyman managed Curtis Axel and helped him with the Intercontinental Championship. In 2013, Heyman betrayed Punk and began feuding with him. Heyman went back to managing Brock Lesnar.

During his feud with Punk, Heyman began working with Axel and Ryback. In 2014, the team disbanded and Heyman worked with Lesnar. After WrestleMania XXX, Heyman was revealed to be the new manager of Cesaro. In July, Heyman ended his partnership with Cesaro and soley focused on Brock Lesnar. After managing Lesnar from 2012 to 2020, Heyman began working with Roman Reigns.

In August, Heyman was revealed as his special counsel. Heyman helped Reigns to get a Universal Championship match. Heyman also accompanied Reigns during his match carrying his championship. In 2021, Heyman was involved in a storyline with Reigns and Lesnar. After being kicked out as the special counsel, Heyman helped Lesnar to win the WWE Championship. In 2022, Heyman turned on Lesnar and sided with Roman Reigns.

He then went on to be on Roman Reigns' side for his title run. Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 38 to unify the WWE Championship and the Universal Championship. Heyman continued to be the special counsel for the Bloodline when two new members were added in 2022 in the form of Solo Sikoa and that of the Honorary Uce Sami Zayn. Heyman was the brain behind the dominant Bloodline before cracks started showing due to feuds between Sami Zayn and other members. Eventually, Zayn betrayed the Bloodline and was kicked out of it whilst Heyman continued to be the special counsel. Heyman is scheduled to appear alongside Roman Reigns in his match at WrestleMania Hollywood against Cody Rhodes where Reigns retained.

The cracks between The Bloodline widened in the next few days when Reigns kicked Jimmy Uso out of the group. Jey Uso followed and a tag team match was set up between The Usos and Solo Sikoa at Money in the Bank. There, The Usos won and that too by pinning Roman Reigns, the first time his shoulders were on the mat for the three count since 2019. This lead to Jey Uso getting a title match at SummerSlam where he failed due to Jimmy Uso's betrayal. Reigns then defended his title against LA Knight at Crown Jewel and against Knight, Randy Orton, and AJ Styles at Royal Rumble. Heyman was by his side as he retained his title in both the matches.

In 2024, Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble match and had a confrontation with Roman Reigns, during which he made a statement on Reigns' family. This invited the frustration of Reigns' family member and WWE Legend The Rock. The People's Champ then joined The Bloodline, multiplying Heyman's managerial duties. In March 2024, it was announced that Heyman was to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Paul Heyman Family

Who is Paul Heyman's Father?

Paul Heyman is the son of World War II Veteran and lawyer Richard S. Heyman. His father was born in 1926 and passed away in 2013. Heyman talked of his personal life in an older interview with Forbes.

"I grew up watching my father argue in court, and boy could he argue. My father was relentless, and had this sort of reserved rebellion about him. I admired many people for their accomplishments, but I had only one hero, and that was my father.”

He continued:

It’s where I get my “screw you” attitude from. I’m not afraid of a challenge, to disrupt the system, to stand up in a room and saying, 'There’s a better way.' That’s what ECW was all about. We took on the two-billion-dollar global giants—WWE and WCW, Vince McMahon and Ted Turner—the ultimate David versus not one but two Goliaths, and we made waves. We had a real impact, changed the way the industry presented its product on a worldwide basis, gave rise to the whole “Attitude Era,” but that all started with my mother and father—the survivor and the passionate Bronx advocate.”

Click here to read about The Heyman Family in detail

Who is Paul Heyman's Mother?

Paul Heyman's mother was Sulamita Szarf (Sulamita Heyman). She was born in 1928 and passed away in 2009. His mother was a holocaust survivor. In the same interview with Forbes, he also said:

“My mother was a Holocaust survivor—the toughest woman, actually, the toughest person I’ve ever known. My father was a trial attorney, a litigator. I was blessed to learn from their two very different styles of approaching all of life’s trials and tribulations. On one hand, my mother took on the world, no one and nothing could intimidate her. What could she face that compared to what she witnessed, experienced, and survived as a child?”

Does Paul Heyman have children?

Paul Heyman is the father to two children - a girl named Azalea and a boy named Jacob Heyman. Azalea Heyman was born in 2002 and her younger brother Jacob was brought into the world in 2004.