5 SmackDown GMs and why WWE had to let them go

SmackDown has featured some of WWE's brightest stars, and some of its most intriguing general managers.
SmackDown has featured some of WWE's brightest stars, and some of its most intriguing general managers.

#2 Paul Heyman

Ad
Paul Heyman was right at home when placed in charge.
Paul Heyman was right at home when placed in charge.

In 2003, Paul Heyman was appointed to the role of SmackDown general manager, a fine spot for one of the best talkers in wrestling history. Heyman was successful, if unremarkable in his role as the blue brand’s figurehead, but after a half year, he got moved out of that spot when he was drafted to the Raw brand, only to reject the position on account of not wanting to work as Eric Bischoff’s assistant.

In reality, WWE was strategically positioning Heyman for the relaunch of ECW as a third brand. Heyman would become the on-air authority figure for the ECW brand that he had, in reality once presided over, while having creative input, but not autonomy. In the end, Heyman has confessed to having been dissatisfied with WWE’s vision for ECW—particularly in pushing established stars like The Big Show and more mainstream guys like Bobby Lashley over more organically ECW styled performers like CM Punk.

Quick Links

Edited by Shruti Sadbhav
sk promotional banner
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications