Paul Heyman

Paul Heyman: 2023 Biography, Net Worth, Family, Income

Paul Heyman is a professional wrestling manager, former promoter, photographer, and executive currently signed to WWE. He was born September 11th, 1965 in The Bronx, New York City, New York.

Heyman got his break in professional wrestling while just a teenager. He talked his way into Madison Square Garden at a WWWF event as a photographer and was paid by the company for several of his photographs.

He continued to work as a photographer and got his pictures printed in Pro Wrestling Illustrated. He then worked for the famous New York City nightclub, Studio54, where he promoted his first wrestling event Wrestle Party 85. The event featured Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Magnum TA, and Bam Bam Bigelow.

In 1987, he became more involved in wrestling and began to appear in managerial roles. In Championship Wrestling from Florida, he joined forces with Kevin Sullivan and Oliver Humperdink and adopted the name, Paul E. Dangerously. The gimmick was that of an 80s-style Wall Street yuppie complete with a Gordon Gekko-esque mobile phone, that he would often use as a weapon.

As Dangerously, he worked for Continental Wrestling Association to manage Tommy Rich and Austin Idol in a feud with Jerry Lawler. The feud continued when he joined Eddie Gilbert and Missy Hyatt. Behind the scenes, Heyman became Gilbert’s assistant in booking the territory. As a booker, he carved out a reputation as an innovator, bringing new and fresh ideas to the table.

In 1988, he joined Jim Crockett Promotions where he worked as a manager and commentator for WCW. His most successful run in the company was as the leader of the Dangerous Alliance. The group included a who’s who of WCW talent Rick Rude, Stunning Steve Austin, Arn Anderson, Larry Zbyszko, Bobby Eaton, and Madusa.

The faction ran roughshod over the promotion and Dangerously led Rude to the United States Championship, Austin to the World Television Championship, and Anderson and Eaton to the Tag Team Championships.

In 1993, Heyman brought the Dangeroulsy character to ECW, then known as Eastern Championship Wrestling to manager 911 and Sabu. He quickly gained control of the company’s creative direction and revolutionised the wrestling business.

After burning bridges with the NWA in a controversial move that saw the newly crowned NWA World Heavyweight Championship Shane Douglas throw down the title and insult its lineage, the company was re-branded as Extreme Championship Wrestling.

The renegade promotion did everything it could it be different. It heavily promoted the hardcore style of match, where tables, chairs, and excessive violence were the norms.

The promotion introduced multiple stars to American audiences. Mexican luchadors like Rey Mysterio, Psicosis, and Juventude Guerrera all had their first matches in America inside an ECW ring, while Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho, and Dean Malenko came in from stints in Japan.

Raven and Steve Austin came in and reinvented themselves. Legends like Mick Foley, and Terry Funk also joined the promotion to bring experience to the roster while originals Rob Van Dam, Sabu, Taz, and The Sandman brought innovation and violence.

The promotion became an underground hit with diehard wrestling fans. Chants of “ECW” were often heard ringing out in WWE crowds. This groundswell of support led to an ECW invasion of Monday Night Raw. The angle saw Heyman lead his troops into battle against WWE Superstars.

Following the success of its first-ever pay-per-view Barely Legal in 1997, the promotion thrived. Heyman’s innovative approach to booking and his use of new and legendary stars gave wrestling fans a genuine alternative to WWE and WCW. However, due to its popularity, it wasn’t long before the bigger promotions took notice and began to poach ECW’s best performers.

Heyman continued to promote ECW on pay-per-view and managed to secure national TV exposure through TNN. Despite the promotion’s success, the channel cancelled the show in 2000, which eventually led to its demise. Following the cancellation and mounting financial problems ECW closed in 2001.

Heyman joined WWE as the colour commentator. Continuing his ECW gimmick, he and several former ECW start joined Shane McMahon’s WCW stable to form the Alliance during the Invasion angle.

In 2002, he joined the SmackDown brand as the Lead Writer. A move, which saw great success for the show and saw the likes of Edge, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Chavo Guerrero, Kurt Angle, and Chris Benoit, known as the SmackDown Six, thrive.

During this period he began managing Brock Lesnar, leading him to become the youngest WWE Undisputed Champion at the time. Following stints as the SmackDown GM and head booker of WWE’s developmental territory OVW, Heyman was placed in charge of the relaunch of ECW.

However, despite a strong start with One Night Stand, the brand was not the promotion it once was under the WWE umbrella. Creative frustrations and poor ratings saw Heyman leave WWE in 2006.

After a five-year absence, he returned to the company to manage Lesnar once again. He also guided CM Punk, who branded himself as a “Paul Heyman Guy”. Several other Superstars like Curtis Axel, Ryback, and Cesaro were also gifted that mantle but unfortunately to less success.

Following another successful run as the advocate for Brock Lesnar, Heyman is currently serving as the Special Council for the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.

Net Worth

Paul Heyman has an estimated net worth of $10 million

Family

Paul Heyman was married to Marla Heyman, but they are now divorced. They have two children – a daughter named Azalea Heyman, and a son named Jacob Heyman.

Income

Paul Heyman earns a yearly salary of $2 million.

Record

Cagematch.net states Paul Heyman has wrestled a total of 65 matches. 6 of those are wins, 55 losses and 4 draws giving him a winning percentage of 9.2%

Figure correct on April 13, 2023