Matter of Opinion... Can Paul Heyman Save Wrestling?

October 21st, 2004

Once again, there seems to be trouble brewing in the creative team at WWE. I say once again, because there was a lot of it when I was there. Not to mention, it’s the usual suspects, Heyman and Gewirtz.

Now, I have a history with Paul. We had some rough waters, but it was never over creative. Yes, there were some things I did not agree with that came from Paul and a lot that came from me that he didn’t agree with, but that does not mean he does not know what he is doing. He is obviously a smart man and has a great mind for this business. He created ECW with the backing of investors and helped create a lot of the superstars you see on TV today. ECW is where Stone Cold Steve Austin first got the opportunity to display his creative wrestling ability, instead of being held back in the old WCW and told to be one dimensional.

The only reason Paul and I never got along is the difference in personalities. At the time, I had a bad attitude towards life and people in general. I have no regrets in life, but I do wish I could’ve been a different and better person back then. Paul is your typical loud New Yorker, but always fun to be around. A practical joker. There was an incident in Tennessee, where we all piled our bags into the trunk of the limo and headed for Vince’s jet. We got to the airport and boarded the plane. The limo driver is the one who makes sure the bags are taken from the trunk by the plane crew and put on the jet. Anyway, when we arrived in Alabama – if my memory serves me right – my bag had not made it on the plane at all, in fact, it was still at the arena in Memphis. I was livid for a minute, but realized quickly someone was playing a rib as I remember putting the bag in the trunk. To this day, I believe I fell prey to a Paul Heyman rib and take pride in that. (NOTE: To all the younger guys up and coming, if you are the victim of a rib, take it as a compliment, it’s an honor). Anyway, moving on to Gewirtz. This kid has no business being part of a wrestling promotion. He has no understanding of the business and has no respect for the boys – unless you collect super hero comics. He has almost gotten his ass kicked on numerous occasions by numerous people for his antics. He feels everyone’s ideas are stupid, even though he’ll tell you different to your face. He’ll backstab anyone and run to the chiefs as soon as anyone gives him confrontation.

It pisses me off that he is standing in the way of productive wrestling. He is clouding the WWE storylines and obstructing great ideas from Paul and David Lagana. The WWE could go back to the basics and go back the to the era when they were riding high if they just go more with good wrestling storylines (Heyman) & stay away from the childish entertainment crap (Gewirtz).
 
This is what WWE needs. Their ratings are just dreadful and it’s because of the influential input from these so called ‘writers’. People like that need to head back to sit-coms. But coming off the worst rating for RAW in seven years should be an indication that something as a whole is wrong with the product, not just Smackdown!
 
Taboo Tuesday should have been saved for a Sunday or a special episode of RAW. How do you expect to get huge buys on a PPV, on a Tuesday when the free TV ratings are dismal. Not to mention, the Red Sox and Yankees were playing, so there goes half of your audience.
 
There are a lot of things that do not make sense right now, unfortunately. Maybe Heyman will fight the good fight, as I know he will as he does not back down easy, and bring our wrestling back to TV. One can only hope. Can he save wrestling? I believe so. The WWE better watch out, because if a bigger and wiser investor comes along and snatches up Paul Heyman, then the war the WWE had with WCW will seem like a school yard scrap. Love him or hate him, I believe Paul Heyman is the best hope for pure wrestling fans around the world.