Paul Heyman Almost Quit

Paul Heyman is widely considered one of the greatest minds to ever grace the professional wrestling industry. Heyman has worn many hats in the business, both on and off screen. However, he almost gave up on the wrestling business early in his career.

During an appearance on In Depth with Graham Bensinger, Heyman spoke about his departure from WCW. He mentioned that a new executive named Bill Watts wanted everyone to take a pay cut, which The Oracle was not willing to accept. Heyman protested against it and was subsequently fired from the company.

He was 28 years old at the time and had decided to leave the wrestling industry out of frustration.

“I got fired from WCW, and I didn’t want to ever get fired again. I was the CEO of the Dangerous Alliance, which was the group of villains that was opposing the big heroes in WCW. And they brought in an executive to reshape the company named Bill Watts, and he wanted to cut everybody’s contracts, and I wasn’t going to take the pay cut. And I rebelled against it, and I ended up on the outs. And I was really pissed off, and I was 28 years old, and I said, ‘Oh, I’m done with the wrestling business. I’m out,” Heyman said. [H/T: Ringside News]

Heyman was close to signing a radio deal that would have put him up against Howard Stern.

“So I was days away from signing the contract negotiated by William Morris to go on New York radio in the mornings, head-to-head with Howard Stern.”

However, Jim Crockett Jr. soon approached him with an opportunity. He offered Heyman the role of booker for a new wrestling promotion and challenged him to put his ideas about the business into practice.

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Paul Heyman accepted the offer and went on to work for Eastern Championship Wrestling, which later became the iconic Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).

Paul Heyman heaps praise on Roman Reigns

Paul Heyman played an integral role in Roman Reigns’ iconic 1,316-day reign as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Heyman served as The Wiseman to The Tribal Chief and helped shape Reigns’ heel persona.

In the same interview, Heyman talked about his partnership with the OTC.

“Because there is no one else I could have followed up my run with Brock Lesnar with than Roman Reigns. As an athlete, top tier, 100%. Top tier. Great athlete. As a performer, his knowledge of being inside that ring is second to none. I’ve learned more from Roman Reigns than Roman Reigns has learned from his Wise Man. He knows what to say. I think I added when to say it,” Heyman said. [H/T: Fightful]

After a four-year partnership, Paul Heyman turned on Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41.

Edited by Parth Pujara