Grilling JR - Paul Heyman [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Our topic today is a man who just turned 58 years old…your former commentary partner and someone you’ve spent a lot of time with over the years…Paul Heyman. JR - when do you remember first meeting Paul?

Paul would get started in the business by calling Capitol Wrestling Corporation at the age of 14 to get a backstage pass for Madison Square Garden in 1979…this man willed himself into the business didn’t he?

From a photographer to busting in on Dusty Rhodes at a Jim Crockett Promotions taping during a production meeting - did you ever hear that story?

At the age of 20 he would book Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes & Magnum TA directly from Jim Crockett to appear at Studio 54 - where he was producing events. Was there ever a doubt he would have an amazing impact on this business?

He would become a manager at the urging of Bam Bam Bigelow - and become Paul E. Dangerously. Where does he rank all-time in your mind in professional wrestling managers?

Heyman would work pretty much all the territories still around at that point, from Championship Wrestling in Florida, to CWA in Memphis and be involved with Tommy Rich, Austin Idol & Jerry Lawler - and Jerry Lawler told you an infamous story on the old WWE 24/7 classic roundtable about punching Paul in the face didn’t he?

He would move on to the AWA and work with the Midnight Express before learning under the tree of Eddie Gilbert back in Memphis - looking back Paul learned from the smartest the business had to offer did he not?

Finally he would move to JCP in 1988 managing the Midnight Express against the other Midnight Express and even managing “Mean’ Mark Callous - the future Undertaker. What did you think of Paul at this time as a manager?

Heyman against Jim Cornette during the Midnight Express program produced two of the strongest heel managers - was it just a case of one upmanship?

Eventually at some point Heyman would join you in calling matches on various shows - why do you think he made that move?

He has called himself your protege when it came to commentary - is that how it was in your mind?

He has also said that while the likes of Steve Austin & the Rock have gotten themselves, the event & made a lot of money - your job was to get EVERYONE over. Was that something you instilled in him or something he learned from you?

He would have issues in WCW - was it just his age do you think?

Eventually the Dangerous Alliance would form and he would become the top manager for the top heel stable - how would you compare the Dangerous Alliance to other great heel factions in your opinion?

Could the Dangerous Alliance had been successful without Paul E?

Rick Rude would win the US title and Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton the tag team titles and a budding Stunning Steve Austin would put the wrestling business on notice and dominate most of the company in 1992. Do you think it ended too soon or early?

What were the issues with Paul & Cowboy Bill Watts?

Do you think Paul just didn’t mesh well with Watts?

Were you surprised to see Watts fire Heyman - and also that Heyman would sue to the company alleging wrongful termination & ethnic discrimination?

Did you talk to Paul after he left WCW?

You wouldn’t last much longer in WCW after Paul’s time came to an end - and he would quietly and quickly take the wrestling world by storm by becoming the creative influence in ECW. Did Paul ever reach out to you about coming in when you would have your various ups & downs in the WWF?

What do you think Paul’s impact on wrestling is with the birth of Extreme Championship Wrestling?

Was it something you watched often?

We get asked all the time about you hosting LiveWire and it being the beginning of red ass JR. One of the more infamous LiveWire moments was when “Bruce from Connecticut” would call in and promote ECW. What are your memories of doing the LiveWire show and Paul’s gorilla warfare of promoting ECW?

How did your relationship change with Paul after you took over Talent Relations?

The WWF played a big part in helping promote Barely Legal in 1997 and you pushed it heavily in commentary during those times. Was that a Vince directive or something you wanted to do to help Paul?

It was hard not to notice that a lot of under WWF wrestlers who needed a fresh paint of coat would end up in ECW - how did that all work out?

Was your communication with ECW always through Paul?

Paul bled ECW didn’t he?

Did he come to you for advice about anything while in ECW, money, contacts, etc?

Did Paul get everything out of ECW in your mind that he could’ve on the budget/money he had?

If Paul had an unlimited budget - do you think ECW could’ve been a serious contender against WCW & WWF?

Were you surprised to see ECW close?

Did Vince McMahon want Paul in the WWF?

How did that deal come together - were you a part of it?

Did anything change in the deal when Jerry Lawler left the WWF after the Kat was fired?

Did you push to have Paul next to you - or was that a Vince call?

What did you think of the move?

How had Paul changed since you last worked with him directly?

Was he a pain in the ass?

It did feel like there were genuine annoyance between the two of you at times - but you two were there for the call on what was for the longest time the biggest professional wrestling show in America - WrestleMania X7. Looking back - how proud of that are you and that you got to work with Paul on it?

What were the main differences between Paul & Lawler?

How much of a contributor was Paul creatively in 2001?

The failed ECW invasion has been discussed to death - but do you think it hurt or helped commentary when ECW became a part of the alliance?

Was there ever a moment during that story that you felt he was too far pushing ECW at the expense of the program?

Do you think he always wanted to find a way to restart ECW?

Eventually the Alliance is thwarted at the Survivor Series and the next night Heyman is fired and Jerry Lawler returns - were you sad to see Heyman end up back in just creative?

Heyman would appear next on TV as the manager of Brock Lesnar - looking back at his debut to now - has there been a more impactful pairing between on air superstar and “manager” than these two?

Paul would lead creative for Smackdown after the brand split - did you have a lot to do with him considering you were on Raw?

Do you think Paul shaped Brock for the future of the business?

Paul had various issues with Vince & Stephanie - were you ever witness to any of their blow ups?

When Paul was sent to OVW and eventually ECW returned - do you think he was burned out by that point in the business?

Do you think he could’ve run a company again?

Were you there when Heyman and Vince had what many thought was their final blow up after ECW December to Dismember?

Do you think that was a time bomb just ticking and it was always going to happen?

Did you ever think you’d see Paul back in the WWE?

Heyman coming back and aligning with Brock Lesnar in 2012 after 5 years away from the company - it was the right fit was it not?

Eventually he would align with CM Punk as well - and the infamous Paul Heyman guys story was formed. Really this would begin his run on TV for the next 11 years and includes his time in the Bloodline story. Is there anyone better than Paul to give meaning and story to professional wrestling?

You would also do live shows with Paul and one of the most memorable clips is when Paul discussed Jan in front of you…and he discussed Jan in front of you - what was their relationship like?

Paul Heyman's Speech About Jim Ross' Late Wife Jan in New York City

How important is Paul to your story and vice versa?

What is your favorite Paul Heyman story?

What is the most pissed off you’ve ever been at him?