History of Paul Heyman in Timeline

Paul Heyman is a highly influential American professional wrestling manager, promoter, commentator, and former executive, currently with WWE. Best known as the on-screen manager of The Vision under the epithet "The Oracle" Paul Heyman. He is recognized as one of wrestling's greatest minds, having revolutionized the industry through his work with ECW and WWE. He is also credited with significantly shaping the careers of numerous top wrestling stars.

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Full Timeline

1938: Favorite Film

Angels with Dirty Faces (1938) is cited as one of Heyman's favorite films.

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August 1994: Shane Douglas rejects the NWA title

In August 1994, at an ECW event, Shane Douglas rejected the NWA World Heavyweight Championship after winning a tournament for it. Douglas declared the ECW World Heavyweight Championship as the only belt he recognized, effectively severing ECW's ties with the NWA.

1994: Favorite Film

Léon: The Professional (1994) is cited as one of Heyman's favorite films.

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May 1995: Heyman becomes sole owner of ECW

In May 1995, Paul Heyman acquired the remaining interest in ECW from Tod Gordon, making him the sole owner of the promotion.

2000: ECW loses national television slot

In 2000, ECW lost its national television slot on TNN and was facing mounting debts. Paul Heyman reduced his on-screen appearances and delegated day-to-day operations to Tommy Dreamer.

April 4, 2001: ECW's final event

On April 4, 2001, ECW held its last event before formally filing for bankruptcy later that year, citing over $7 million in liabilities.

2001: Marriage to Marla Heyman

In 2001, Heyman married Marla Heyman, a businesswoman and entrepreneur.

2001: Heyman joins WWF as commentator

In 2001, Paul Heyman joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, later WWE) as a commentator on Raw Is War, replacing Jerry Lawler. Heyman resumed his on-air dynamic with Jim Ross.

2001: Heyman returns as manager during the Invasion storyline

In 2001, Paul Heyman returned to an on-screen managerial role during the Invasion storyline, reviving ECW as a fictional faction. The storyline culminated at Survivor Series, where the WWF defeated The Alliance.

July 2002: Heyman appointed head writer of SmackDown!

In July 2002, Paul Heyman was appointed head writer of SmackDown!, focusing on athletic competition and elevating rising talents.

2002: Portrays Sports Announcer in Rollerball

In 2002, Heyman portrayed a sports announcer in the movie Rollerball.

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2002: Heyman manages Brock Lesnar

In 2002, Paul Heyman became the on-screen manager for Brock Lesnar. Under Heyman's guidance, Lesnar defeated The Rock at SummerSlam to become the youngest WWE Undisputed Champion.

January 28, 2003: WWE acquires ECW assets

On January 28, 2003, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) acquired the remaining assets of ECW from HHG Corporation through a bankruptcy court settlement. The acquisition included ECW's video library, brand trademarks, and intellectual property.

February 2003: Heyman's tenure as head writer of SmackDown! ends

In February 2003, Paul Heyman's tenure as head writer of SmackDown! concluded after having started in July 2002. During his tenure, SmackDown! reportedly outperformed Raw in several key metrics.

October 2003: Heyman becomes General Manager of SmackDown!

In October 2003, Paul Heyman returned to television as General Manager of SmackDown! following Stephanie McMahon's departure.

March 2004: Heyman leaves SmackDown! and is removed from television

In March 2004, Paul Heyman was drafted to the Raw brand during the WWE Draft Lottery, but he declined the assignment and was removed from television.

2004: Divorce from Marla Heyman

In 2004, Paul and Marla Heyman divorced after nearly 3 years of marriage.

May 23, 2005: Heyman promotes ECW One Night Stand

On May 23, 2005, Paul Heyman returned to WWE programming to promote ECW One Night Stand, a pay-per-view event produced as a tribute to the original ECW.

June 12, 2005: ECW One Night Stand

On June 12, 2005, Paul Heyman contributed to the creative direction of the ECW One Night Stand event, which featured former ECW wrestlers and celebrated the promotion's legacy.

2005: Heyman becomes head writer and booker for OVW

In mid-2005, Paul Heyman was reassigned to WWE's developmental system, becoming the head writer and booker for Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW).

June 11, 2006: Heyman helps Rob Van Dam win WWE Championship

On June 11, 2006, at ECW One Night Stand, Rob Van Dam defeated John Cena to win the WWE Championship, and Paul Heyman counted the winning pinfall. He presented Van Dam with the reactivated ECW World Heavyweight Championship on the premiere episode of ECW on Sci Fi.

2006: ECW revived as a full-time brand with Heyman as ECW Representative

In mid-2006, WWE announced that ECW would be revived as a full-time third brand. Paul Heyman returned to television as the on-screen "ECW Representative."

May 2012: Heyman returns as Brock Lesnar's legal representative

In May 2012, Paul Heyman returned to WWE as the on-screen legal representative of Brock Lesnar. Heyman guided Lesnar through his feud with Triple H and began an on-screen partnership with WWE Champion CM Punk.

2013: Heyman manages Punk, Lesnar and Axel; Punk storyline ends

In 2013, Paul Heyman simultaneously managed CM Punk and Brock Lesnar, also introducing Curtis Axel as a client. Heyman's on-screen relationship with Punk unraveled in a storyline that culminated in Lesnar defeating Punk at SummerSlam.

2014: Lesnar ends The Undertaker's streak at WrestleMania XXX

In 2014, Paul Heyman played a central role in amplifying the impact of Brock Lesnar ending The Undertaker's 21–0 undefeated streak at WrestleMania XXX.

2015: Lesnar loses championship; resumes rivalry with The Undertaker

In 2015, Paul Heyman remained central to Brock Lesnar's storylines. At WrestleMania 31, Lesnar lost the championship. Lesnar and Heyman returned later that year for a renewed rivalry with The Undertaker.

2016: Heyman accompanies Lesnar in matches; Lesnar wins Universal Championship

In 2016, Paul Heyman accompanied Brock Lesnar through matches, including those with Dean Ambrose at WrestleMania 32 and Randy Orton at SummerSlam. Lesnar later defeated Goldberg at WrestleMania 33 to capture the Universal Championship.

2017: Heyman serves as Lesnar's advocate during Universal Championship reign

Between 2017 and 2018, Paul Heyman served as Brock Lesnar's advocate during a 504-day reign as Universal Champion.

2018: Lesnar's title reign ends; Heyman remains with Lesnar

In mid-2018, Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar teased a falling out, which was later revealed to be a deception. Roman Reigns ended Lesnar's title reign at SummerSlam. Heyman remained part of Lesnar's presentation, including at Hell in a Cell and Crown Jewel.

2019: Heyman appointed Executive Director of Raw

In 2019, Paul Heyman continued as Brock Lesnar's advocate and was appointed Executive Director of Raw, giving him backstage responsibility for the brand's creative direction.

June 2020: Heyman removed from Executive Director of Raw position

In June 2020, Paul Heyman was removed from the position of Executive Director of Raw and replaced by Bruce Prichard.

August 2020: Heyman aligns with Roman Reigns

In August 2020, Paul Heyman returned to WWE programming, aligning with Roman Reigns. He played a pivotal on-screen role in the character reinvention of Reigns, rebranded as the "Wiseman" and Reigns' "special counsel."

2020: Lesnar loses WWE Championship; contract expires

In 2020, Paul Heyman continued to manage Lesnar until Lesnar lost the WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania 36. Lesnar's WWE contract expired shortly thereafter.

January 2022: Reunites with Lesnar, Betrays Lesnar

In January 2022, Heyman reunited with Lesnar at Day 1, but then betrayed Lesnar at the Royal Rumble, rejoining Reigns and costing Lesnar the WWE Championship.

April 2024: WWE Hall of Fame Induction

In April 2024, Heyman was announced as the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024 and was formally inducted during WrestleMania weekend.

June 28, 2024: Forcibly Removed from The Bloodline

On June 28, 2024, episode of SmackDown, Heyman was forcibly removed from The Bloodline faction, turning face for the first time since 2014.

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November 2024: Returns to Television and Reveals CM Punk

In November 2024, Heyman returned to television and revealed CM Punk as a surprise addition to Reigns's team for Survivor Series: WarGames.

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April 2025: Betrayal at WrestleMania 41

In April 2025, at WrestleMania 41, Heyman betrayed both Reigns and Punk, reverting to a heel turn and aligning himself with Rollins, also forming The Vision stable.

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