'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Paul Heyman is one of, if not the greatest, managers of all time. The former ECW owner has managed some of the biggest names to ever grace the industry. These include Steve Austin (as part of The Dangerous Alliance), Mean Mark Callous, Rob Van Dam, and The Giant. He has managed a record six world champions over his career, including a current one.
Though the 56-year old has managed many successful superstars, some of his clients haven't found as much success as their more illustrious counterparts. Under Heyman's tutelage, some stars have failed to reach the heights they once seemed destined for.
Without further ado, here are three superstars who excelled under Paul Heyman and three who flopped:
#6. Cesaro didn't fulfill his World Championship potential under Paul Heyman
Trending
When Cesaro declared himself a Paul Heyman guy the night after WrestleMania 30, hopes were sky-high. The Swiss Superman was always a world-class performer in the ring, with his only perceived weakness being his mic work. With Heyman by his side, fans expected Cesaro to soar to new levels and storm the main event scene. The former ECW owner's electric promos combined with The Swiss Cyborg's explosive ring acumen were set to propel him to the top.
Unfortunately, the partnership lasted only three months, coming to no significant result, with Heyman becoming an advocate to only Brock Lesnar and Cesaro staying in the mid-card scene.
The WWE Universe can only look back and wonder what could've been.
#5. Former record 434-day WWE Champion CM Punk thrived under Paul Heyman
Paul Heyman and CM Punk enjoy a long friendship dating back to their days in Ohio Valley Wrestling. The two instantly hit it off due to similar views of the industry. Heyman advocated multiple times for Punk to become world champion in his first WWE stint before leaving the company in 2006.
Upon his return, The Wise Man joined Punk on his journey to becoming a record 434-day WWE Champion. He stood in The Straight Edge Superstar's corner as he faced John Cena, The Rock, and Daniel Bryan, among others. The duo took a shot at breaking The Undertaker's streak at WrestleMania 29 before another of Heyman's clients accomplished the feat the following year.
#4. Curtis Axel didn't find much success as a Paul Heyman guy
When Paul Heyman announced that he'd be managing Michael McGillicutty, son of WWE legend IRS, big things were expected. When the second-generation star was renamed Curtis Axel, it felt like a fresh start away from his Nexus days.
However, Axel's career under Heyman never took off, possibly due to Heyman's other clients higher on the card. As a result, his partnership with Heyman ended within months, leaving him in no better position.
Curtis Axel was eventually released, having been a one-time Intercontinental and two-time tag champion in his 10 years with WWE.
#3. Roman Reigns transformed into a record 520+ day Universal Champion with the counsel of Paul Heyman
On Smackdown before Payback 2020, WWE revealed, to everyone's shock, that Roman Reigns had aligned himself with Paul Heyman. This was the dawn of the long-awaited heel turn for the former SHIELD member, leaving fans ecstatic.
The following week, the self-proclaimed Head of the Table won the Universal title. What followed was a path of destruction and dominance as Roman ran through the likes of John Cena, Edge, and Rey Mysterio.
At the moment, Reigns' rivalry with Brock Lesnar is the biggest story in wrestling, and the key piece is none other than The Wise Man himself. By the time WrestleMania 38 is in the books, the hand of Heyman will have guided the destiny of one, if not both, world titles.
#2. Ryback's WWE Championship potential fizzled out despite having Paul Heyman in his corner
Ryback aligned himself with Paul Heyman at Night Of Champions 2013 after helping the latter defeat former client CM Punk. The Big Guy seemed primed for a push since he'd been in the main event picture for much of the previous year. This alliance was seen as the final piece of the puzzle that'd propel him to world championship glory.
However, Ryback lost multiple times to CM Punk, derailing any momentum he might've had. After parting ways with Heyman, he'd go into the tag division, leaving the company as a one-time Intercontinental Champion.
#1. Brock Lesnar is Paul Heyman's magnum opus
No pro wrestler has worked longer and won more titles with Paul Heyman than Brock Lesnar. The Beast Incarnate first aligned himself with the 56-year old in 2002, quickly becoming a King of the Ring, Royal Rumble winner, and WWE Champion in less than a year. Paul then betrayed The Next Big Thing in favor of The Big Show, ending their first run together.
When Lesnar rejoined WWE after eight years away, Heyman returned as well, joining forces with The Beast after a six-year absence of his own. Together, the duo embarked on a run that saw the end of The Streak, the decimation of John Cena at SummerSlam 2014, and multiple world championship reigns.
At Royal Rumble 2022, another wrinkle to the tale unfolded as Heyman betrayed The Conqueror. Lesnar's long, trophy-laden career is Heyman's greatest project, and their story is far from done.
