The Best Promos Of Paul Heyman’s Career
Currently, Paul Heyman is the “Tribal Counsel to reignsing, defending, uncontroverted, incontrovertible, undisputed Universal Champion of all eras across the multiverse.” There’s a reason that Happy Heyman can say 873 adjectives to describe his current and former clients - it’s because he’s really frigging good at it.
Related: The 10 Most Embarrassing Moments Of Paul Heyman's Career
When you get to sit under the learning tree of the likes of The Grand Wizard, Classy Freddie Blassie, and Dusty Rhodes, you’re going to learn to promote real fast. Since his earliest days managing the likes of the original Midnight Express to his current duties, Heyman has been nothing short of a force on the microphone and everyone who wants to talk for a living should take note of many great promos of Heyman’s career.
10 Believing The Magic - Raw (March 30, 2020)
With no crowd in the PC, Brock Lesnar somehow looked even more menacing just standing in the ring and peering into the camera as his advocate told the tale. Heyman touched on the Pandemic and how unique WrestleMania was going to be. He spoke about how for years, Brock Lesnar has been the focus of the go-home segment of the go-home show at WrestleMania. He told the tale about the magic of building up just how special Drew McIntyre is compared to mere mortals and the WWE locker room. He did what he does best by highlighting not just the accomplishments of the challenger but how crushing the Beast is.
9 Don’t Seek Vengeance - Talking Smack (June 5, 2021)
On a recent episode of SmackDown, when Roman Reigns went for the world record of heaving wrestlers like Dominik a country mile, Heyman delivered a most heartfelt promo on Talking Smack.
Related: 11 Things You Learn About Rey Mysterio From His Book
He discussed how much he respects Rey Mysterio and as a father himself understood fully that Rey would come seeking revenge. But he also out of that same respect for the legendary Luchador offered up a simple bit of advice - “don’t.”
8 Violent Retribution - Raw (July 6, 2015)
It’s very seldom that Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar walk into an arena as babyfaces, but when The Beast is hunting The Architect and The Authority, the WWE Universe were like bloodthirsty fans in the Roman Coliseum of old, begging for a gladiator to draw blood. Paul Heyman was more than happy to toss some chum in the water. The Advocate for the Nightmare of Suplex City referred to Rollins as a Justin Bieber wannabe who lucked into the WWE. Meanwhile, Brock is a god, a god of violent retribution. That retribution was going to come at the hands of the Conqueror, and Seth Rollins was intentionally provoking The Beast.
7 Fire Me - ECW On TNN (June 2, 2000)
Happy Heyman and his malevolent band of miscreants thought they hit the jackpot when ECW signed a national TV deal with cable network, TNN. But it was clear that barely a month into the deal that ECW got themselves into a pickle there was no way out of. The network had wanted them to make changes that would have made them decidedly un-ECW. TNN claimed they had no advertising funds before giving a lot…A LOT of money to WWE to carry Raw. So Heyman did what he does best, went on a tirade. He thanked the ECW faithful for being able to find their program since TNN didn’t advertise at all for them. He tore a new one into TNN for lying to him and ECW and dared them to heave him off the air.
6 It’s An Alliance - WCW Saturday Night (November 23, 1991)
Paul E. Dangerously began his promo explaining that in other sports, you don’t replace an entire team on a whim last minute, but wrestlers can change in a match seemingly out of nowhere. After feeling slighted by the WCW booking committee for so long, Paul E. Dangerously espoused the values of having an alliance. He, Madusa, and Rick Rude had aligned with Arn Anderson, Larry Zybsko, Bobby Eaton, and Stunning Steve Austin with a simple goal in mind - bankrupt WCW and tear it down to its core.
5 This Is E-C-W! - ECW One Night Stand (June 12, 2005)
It had been four years since ECW shuttered it’s doors and still, some of the promotions former stars were eliciting “E-C-Dub” chants from WWE crowds not just in the Northeast, but throughout the entire WWE Universe. The hardcore icons got together for the first-ever One Night Stand and, halfway through the show, Paul Heyman came out to address the most hardcore fans of all time.
Related: The 10 Most Disgusting Moments In ECW History
But with superstars from SmackDown and Raw in attendance, the mouth that roared delivered a scathing promo directed at Edge (referencing the affair between him and Lita) and called out JBL, saying the only reason he was champ was because Triple H didn’t want to work Tuesdays.
4 Pipe Bomb - Raw Chicago (March 3, 2014)
For anyone that needs a lesson in how to control the crowd, look no further than Raw emanating from Chicago. The first episode of Raw from Chicago since CM Punk quit his job. “Cult Of Personality” rang throughout the crowd. But the cheers turned to boos immediately when it was Heyman sitting criss-cross applesauce in the ring. After espousing the values of his friend who quit, Heyman had the crowd in again cheering before booing him again after letting the world know that it was their fault Punk left and his other friend, Brock, was going to beat The Streak.
3 The Temerity To Doubt Me - Raw (April 7, 2014)
After spending about a month or so telling the WWE Universe that Brock Lesnar would conquer The Streak, Heyman headed to the ring the day after the most shocking moment in recent WWE history had actually happened. After Heyman paid fealty to his Beast, he reveled in the success of Lesnar conquering the unconquerable. Heyman told the world what would happen and the WWE Universe had the temerity to doubt him and doubt the physical dominance of Lesnar for not only beating The Streak but putting The Deadman in the hospital.
2 You Stole My Legacy - SmackDown (November 15, 2001)
The best promos are based on at least some reality. Paul Heyman tapped into a belief that at least a lot of fans had when he called Vince McMahon out on the eve of the big WWE vs. Alliance Survivor Series. After insulting the chairman for a few moments, Vince came out to face off with his accuser face-to-face. Face-to-face, Heyman told the chairman how vile he is.
Related: 8 Times Vince McMahon Allegedly Lied To His Employees
How he built Titan Tower on Hogan’s blood, how he bought a jet off of Bret Hart’s hard work. But most importantly, how he stole Paul Heyman’s ideas and dreams and legacy and everything ECW ever represented.
1 A Conversation With Edge - Talking Smack (April 10, 2011)
Edge’s 10-year odyssey to get his dreams back and the title he never lost was once again within his grasp. He came to Talking Smack to confront the special counsel. It played out like a scene in a movie - two men who at one point were friends. Two men with tremendous respect and adoration for one another are now on separate sides due to their current allegiances. With a tear in his eye, he embraced Edge and offered up his praise for achieving his dream and his apologies, warning his friend about what The Tribal Chief will do to him and Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania.
Next: No Holds Barred: 8 Facts You Didn't Know About Wrestling's First Big Movie
