Paul Heyman will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024, and Rob Van Dam recently spoke with Bill Apter for Sportskeeda’s “WrestleBinge” podcast to comment on Paul E’s Hall of Fame induction, Heyman’s reputation in ECW, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On Paul Heyman’s Hall of Fame induction: “It’s pretty cool they’re giving him his flowers because he was the man. He was the one that made ECW happen. He’s the one that really, not just him, but he’s the guy that made everything possible. It couldn’t have happened without him. He changed the business, he set new standards. ECW is because of him, his leadership, his braveness, his passion, his artistic direction. All of that is like, ‘Man, thank you, Paul. Thank you, Paul.’ At the same time, since he’s been in WWE, man, he’s just moved right up.”
On Heyman’s reputation in ECW: “I knew when I was there back then, we’re bringing ECW and all that, he didn’t get a lot of respect in the way of the other agents didn’t like ECW, were trying to fight it, didn’t want it to come in. They were giving him a hard time. They were like an opposition in a lot of ways. But man, all the boys seemed to know right away that, man, some people say he’s a genius. A lot of the boys have been really always commenting on how smart he is, and he would take the time to pull wrestlers aside and give them advice and everything, even before he was in a higher position where that was part of his job to do that. So to see him work his way up to being one of the, I don’t even know what he is now. At ECW, he ran everything. So to see him do that on a bigger platform with WWE, and I know he’s making bank. For all those dreams and sacrifices from back in the day, it paid off.”
Paul Heyman, the legendary wrestling promoter and manager, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024. This news has been met with excitement and praise from fans and fellow wrestlers alike. One wrestler who recently shared his thoughts on Heyman’s induction is Rob Van Dam.
In an interview with Bill Apter for Sportskeeda’s “WrestleBinge” podcast, Van Dam expressed his admiration for Heyman and the impact he had on the wrestling industry. He acknowledged Heyman as the driving force behind ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling), a promotion that revolutionized professional wrestling in the 1990s.
Van Dam credited Heyman for making ECW happen and recognized him as the person who made everything possible. According to Van Dam, Heyman’s leadership, bravery, passion, and artistic direction were instrumental in shaping ECW and setting new standards in the business. He expressed his gratitude towards Heyman for his contributions and stated, “Thank you, Paul.”
The former ECW star also discussed Heyman’s reputation within the wrestling community during their time in ECW. Van Dam revealed that Heyman faced opposition from other agents who were resistant to the rise of ECW. Despite this, the wrestlers recognized Heyman’s genius and respected his knowledge and advice. Van Dam mentioned that Heyman would take the time to offer guidance to wrestlers, even before it became part of his official role.
Van Dam also highlighted Heyman’s journey from running everything in ECW to his current position within WWE. He acknowledged Heyman’s success and financial stability, stating that it was a result of the dreams and sacrifices he made in the past.
The interview with Van Dam provides insight into Heyman’s influence on the wrestling industry and his impact on the careers of wrestlers. It showcases the respect and admiration wrestlers have for Heyman, both for his contributions to ECW and his current role within WWE.
As fans eagerly await Heyman’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, it is clear that his legacy as a visionary and influential figure in professional wrestling will be celebrated and remembered for years to come.