Paul Heyman is set for a massive induction into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024. The veteran wrestling personality will receive the prestigious honor in Philadelphia on April 5. His induction comes mere hours before The Bloodline’s high-profile tag team match against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.
Heyman has been credited with revolutionizing the business in various ways. He’s been the voice of the Dangerous Alliance and the mastermind behind ECW. His best contribution, however, has been the guiding force behind some of the biggest names this industry has ever seen.
From managing a pre-WWE Steve Austin to helping Brock Lesnar become the “Next Big Thing” to mentoring Roman Reigns in his record-setting title reign, Heyman has proven time and again he’s got a knack for identifying the right talent at the right time.
It’s no wonder fans are running out of patience to know who’d be inducting one of wrestling’s most brilliant minds into the Hall of Fame. Given Heyman’s history with so many men and women in this industry, the options are endless.
There have been some calls for Heyman to induct himself, and while that would be quite an event, we’re looking at other individuals who are deserving of that honor.
Let’s take a look at some of the names who could possibly induct Paul Heyman into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Rob Van Dam
When you think of the original ECW (and even WWE’s watered-down version of it), Rob Van Dam is one of the first people that comes to mind. The “Whole F’n Show” broke into the company in the mid-nineties. Van Dam’s unorthodox style and laid-back attitude made him instantly popular with the fans.
Under Heyman’s creative direction, Van Dam would make history as the longest-reigning ECW Television Champion. The innovative high-flyer would join his boss in WWE during the Invasion angle. Heyman would be instrumental (both literally and figuratively) in RVD’s first and only WWE Championship win in 2006.
It was Paul Heyman’s booking direction that turned the former Robbie V into the RVD we know and love today. Philly fans would probably love to see one of the ECW originals induct the mastermind behind the iconic promotion into the Hall of Fame. That being said, WWE may be reluctant to approach Rob to do the honors due to his current association with AEW.
CM Punk is a former ‘Paul Heyman Guy’
Paul Heyman fought for CM Punk to win the WWE ECW World Heavyweight Championship at December to Dismember 2006. However, Vince McMahon wanted Bobby Lashley as the winner instead. We know how the decision impacted ECW in the long run. Punk would reference the bad creative judgment during his iconic “pipe bomb” in 2001, crediting the veteran manager for seeing the potential in him.
Despite his initial reluctance to listen to Heyman, Vince McMahon would eventually pair the former Paul E. Dangerously with the Voice of the Voiceless during his 434-day run with the WWE Championship. Both men wanted to work with each other and the alliance brought out the best in them. The angle would eventually lead to the critically acclaimed CM Punk versus Brock Lesnar match at SummerSlam 2013.
Punk welcoming Paul Heyman into the Hall of Fame won’t probably make sense in the kayfabe context. Having said that, their illustrious history would make for a brilliant induction. We all know just how great CM Punk is on the mic. If Punk were to induct his former manager into the Hall of Fame then, who knows, he may drop another tease for a potential feud against Roman Reigns.
Roman Reigns
Pairing Roman Reigns with Paul Heyman was probably the smartest decision WWE made during the pandemic era. The partnership has done wonders for the former Big Dog’s career. It’s a major reason The Bloodline storyline feels fresh even after going on for three years as well.
Heyman has been the shrewd yet crafty mastermind behind the Tribal Chief’s record-second title reign. We do not see the Wiseman interfering in matches. He stopped doing that a long time ago. His facial expressions alone can tell a compelling story.
In the larger context of reality and kayfabe, Roman Reigns inducting Paul Heyman into the WWE Hall of Fame would make the most sense. Plus, it’d be fun to see both men break character on television just hours before the highly-anticipated tag team match featuring The Bloodline, Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40.
Brock Lesnar
Brock Lesnar is arguably the most accomplished “Paul Heyman Guy.” The Beast owes a great part of his success in WWE to his former advocate. Credit should be given to Taz as well because he was the one who linked up the two men during Lesnar’s time in OVW developmental.
Paul Heyman was at ringside shouting, screaming, and guiding Brock Lesnar when the Beast was making history as the youngest WWE Champion. He watched in shock as Lesnar ended The Undertaker’s legendary streak at WrestleMania XXX. Frankly, it should’ve never been ended in the first place.
Now, of course, Lesnar’s implied complicity in the company-wide sex trafficking lawsuit is a PR nightmare for WWE. That means Triple H won’t have the former multi-time champion anywhere near the product. Having said that, Lesnar’s name appears in Paul Heyman’s WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024 article on their official website. Also, Lesnar is still on the official roster page. WWE might not completely erase Lesnar from history, but it’s unlikely he’ll be back on live TV soon.
Should Brock Lesnar induct Paul Heyman into the WWE Hall of Fame? I’ll let you be the judge of that.
Jim Ross & Paul Heyman go back a long way
I personally enjoyed Paul Heyman’s banter with Jim Ross during their brief stint together on commentary. They made for an exceptional two-man booth during the Attitude Era. The legendary JR trained Heyman decades ago. Heyman, to this day, speaks highly of one of the greatest analysts in the history of this business.
Even though Ross has said he “won’t be able to be involved” in his former colleague’s big day, the stars can hopefully align so that WWE and AEW agree to make this work. WWE fans would probably love to see JR’s voice echo through the Wells Fargo Center following SmackDown to welcome his longtime peer into the Hall of Fame.
Honorable Mentions
- Tommy Dreamer
- Taz
- Kurt Angle
- Joey Styles
- Steve Austin
Also read: Paul Heyman Says He Turned Down WWE HOF Induction Multiple Times
