Paul Heyman recently attended the launch party for the WWE 2K video game franchise and spoke with Mike Johnson of PWInsider (scroll down to watch). During the interview, Heyman discussed the possibility of an Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) video game, his creative process, and his history in the professional wrestling industry.
When asked what fans need to do to get a fully-fledged ECW video game produced by 2K Sports with modern graphics, Heyman encouraged fans to aggressively petition the developers. He compared the strategy to ECW’s real-life campaign in the late 1990s to secure pay-per-view carriage from Cablevision.
“Bug them. Nag them. Email them. Call them. Harass them,” Heyman stated. “Same way we did with Cablevision back in the 1990s. Initiate a campaign that makes 2K Sports have no other option but to have an ECW game.”
The conversation touched upon the inclusion of the Inferno Match in the WWE 2K video game. Johnson noted that Heyman almost faced legal trouble involving fire during his time running ECW.
“I didn’t do a match with fire. We just set our fans on fire,” Heyman stated. “Which was a typical night in ECW… No, we set a fan on fire.”
Heyman also discussed his current on-screen alignment and his thoughts on the latest iteration of the WWE 2K video game.
“I love it. I think I’m the best part of the game. To be, you know, with all humility aside,” Heyman said. “And you know like when they named it WWE 2K24, they wanted to name it WWE 2K24 starring The Bloodline. And I wanted to take a more humble approach, so we just let them have WWE 2K24. And most likely next year put The Bloodline on the cover. Or, or, The Bloodline and Brock Lesnar. But I’ll let other people make that decision.”
Heyman commented on the return of CM Punk to WWE. Punk, Roman Reigns, and Brock Lesnar have all been managed by Heyman on television.
“I’m very proud of the fact that CM Punk came back to WWE because it’s a true testament to the fact that all Paul Heyman guys rise to the top,” Heyman explained. “Who was on the cover of the video game last year? Roman Reigns. Also a Paul Heyman guy. So I just think it’s a testament to the fact that all Paul Heyman guys always come back home. Like Brock Lesnar. They all come back home sooner or later. And Punk is out there right now flexing his power as the WWE Champion and at some point he’s going to find out that he misses his wise man and come back home.”
When asked how he avoids creative burnout after decades in the business, Heyman explained his mindset.
“I still love what I do. And I still love the product itself, and I still love the presentation of the product,” Heyman said. “And the day that I wake up and I’m not inspired by the product, is the day I won’t be creative about it and won’t participate in the creative process. But as long as I love it to the extent and I lust for it to the extent that I do, every time I wake up in the morning, it’s something I passionately look forward to.”
Heyman began his career as a ringside photographer in New York. He clarified stories about his interactions with prominent wrestling journalists George Napolitano and Bill Apter while trying to secure photos, and offered advice to young fans looking to enter the industry.
“It’s the same advice. Don’t let anybody impede on your dreams,” Heyman advised. “Get in there and for the record I never elbowed George Napolitano. I stepped on his foot. I elbowed Bill Apter. And boy did Frank Amato deserve it. He deserved both elbows and a foot up his a**. So it’s just a matter of if you want to do something with your life, that’s what you pursue. If you’re pursuing a number in a bank account instead of living out a dream, your pursuits are really, really messed up, and so are your priorities. Seek out to be happy, and you’ll find happiness.”
Heyman shared a story about WWE founder Vince McMahon Sr. to further illustrate his point regarding longevity and passion.
“Vince McMahon Sr had a great saying. He was telling a bunch of people one day in the Garden… that so many of his friends wake up in the morning and say, ‘Oh, I have to go to work today,'” Heyman recalled. “And Vince Sr said, ‘I wake up every morning and say I get to go to work today.’ Make that be your life motto. Wake up every morning pissed off that already other people are getting to do what you love to do… So you find your passion, you pursue it with everything you have, and you enjoy the journey, bumps, bruises, peaks, valleys and all.”
Regarding the main event of WrestleMania between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, Heyman provided a brief prediction.
“I see that match won by the Paul Heyman guy,” Heyman said.
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