In a detailed interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Paul Heyman provided a comprehensive look into his current role within WWE’s creative structure. He described himself as “the old guy now” who serves at the pleasure of Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque, with a focus on long-term storytelling and mentoring the next generation of main event talent.
The “Wise Man”
Heyman explained that when Roman Reigns bestowed the name “The Wise Man” upon him, it was not only an on-screen moniker but a role he takes seriously behind the scenes. He stated it was a tribute to the “Three Wise Men of the East” (Lou Albano, Freddie Blassie, and The Grand Wizard) who dominated the managerial scene in the WWWF. “It’s a name I took seriously, because a lot of people will come to me because I’m the old guy now, because I’ve survived so many regimes,” Heyman said. “I worked for Vince McMahon Sr. as a photographer… this is now the third or fourth generation of a regime in this company that I’ve worked for.”
Serving at the Pleasure of the CCO
He defined his involvement as being on an as-needed basis, determined by Paul Levesque. “I serve at the pleasure of the Chief Creative Officer, Paul Levesque, as as much or as little as I’m needed,” he stated. “There are some days I’m not needed that much… And there are other days where a lot of talents need a lot of direction, or a lot of motivation or a lot of inspiration, or a lot of understanding about their performance.”
He specified that his role has evolved with the company, focusing less on word-for-word scripts and more on the emotional core of a performance. “It’s not what you say, but how you say it, because it’s far less scripted now, word for word, fact, it’s not scripted,” he explained. “The words are there, but it’s all about, what are we selling? What’s the what’s the emotion involved? So that’s what I’m there to teach the young talent.”
Mentoring the Future
Heyman confirmed that he works with any talent who approaches him for advice, but he has taken a special interest in the performers he is currently aligned with on-screen, seeing them as the future of the business. “Bron breaker and I are on camera together because I was working so closely with him behind the scenes, because I truly believe that’s the future of our company,” he said with conviction. “That’s a guaranteed WrestleMania main event, or multiple times in the future.”
He offered the same high praise for another young star who has recently made a major impact on the main roster. “Jacob Fatu, a guaranteed WrestleMania main eventer multiple times in the future,” he declared. He also mentioned Rhea Ripley as someone in that same category, provided the right story and opponent align for her.
Long-Term Planning
Heyman also revealed the incredible scope of WWE’s long-term creative planning, stating that he is involved in meetings that map out storylines years in advance. “Long term meetings I’m in,” he confirmed. “So when we start talking about next year’s Wrestlemania, or the year after Wrestlemania, or the year after that’s Wrestlemania… we start planning things out. I go to those meetings.” He clarified that he is not involved in the weekly creative grind, but focuses on the big picture.
He explained his philosophy of always looking to the future to create layered, intricate stories. “If I’m sitting in a meeting and we say, ‘okay, where are we going for next year’s mania?’ Well, we’re going three manias from now, because this mania is just the pathway to the next year’s mania, which is the pathway to the next year’s mania,” Heyman detailed. He credited the success of The Bloodline storyline with allowing the company to plan this far ahead, a significant change from past creative processes.
The full interview can be heard on The Ariel Helwani Show.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit The Ariel Helwani Show with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
