How Paul Heyman’s WWE Hall Of Fame Induction Makes Company History

Paul Heyman is heading to the WWE Hall of Fame.

On March 4th it was announced that Paul Heyman will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Heyman began his career in wrestling when he was just 13 years old, before going on to become a manager, promoter, commentator, and just about everything in between.

WWE stars past and present have been quick to pay tribute, while AEW’s Taz said he wouldn’t be where he is without Paul Heyman.

Fans were also quick to praise the news, with the veteran having a long association with Philadelphia due to his time running ECW.

Paul Heyman Had Previously Turned Down WWE Hall Of Fame

For years, Heyman had been adamant about not being inducted while he was still active and contributing, but obviously, his stance shifted.

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Heyman is the first inductee of the ‘Paul Levesque-era’ and speculated on why he may have changed his mind.

“This will be the first Hall of Fame class that was chosen by Paul Levesque (Triple H), and not chosen by Vince McMahon. So Paul Heyman is the first Paul Levesque Hall of Famer, so that’s an interesting part of it.

He’s been offered the Hall of Fame before and turned it down with the idea that he’s still active, he didn’t think he should be in the Hall of Fame until his career’s over.

But I think the idea maybe of being the first Paul Levesque inductee, and it’s in Philadelphia where ECW was from, and one of his main career claims to fame was ECW – maybe his biggest in some ways. So there’s that.

Maybe they just needed a main eventer and he’s the guy. But he has been offered this before.”

H/t to Wrestle Talk