Paul Heyman Named First Inductee Into WWE Hall Of Fame Class Of 2024

Legendary professional wrestling promoter, announcer, manager and executive Paul Heyman has been announced as the first inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2024.

The Associated Press first reported that the 58-year-old old will be inducted at the ceremony on April 5, which takes place in the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

Starting out as a ringside photographer during his teenage years, the outspoken New Yorker made his managerial debut in 1987. He subsequently signed with the NWA/WCW in 1988 and managed the likes of Steve Austin, Rick Rude, Mean Mark Callous (AKA The Undertaker) and others, before being let go in 1993.

Heyman duly joined Eastern Championship Wrestling, which he renamed Extreme Championship Wrestling and, as the promotion's creative head, took the company national.

After ECW was declared bankrupt and closed in January 2001, Heyman jumped to WWE. Between 2001 and 2006, Heyman worked variously as an announcer, manager and on-screen authority figure. He was also at various times on the creative team, though he often clashed heads with high-ranking executives, including Vince and Stephanie McMahon.

Though he left in acrimony, Heyman returned to WWE for a second spell in 2012 in order to once again act as Brock Lesnar's on-screen manager (or 'advocate'). As well as Lesnar, Heyman counts Kurt Angle, CM Punk, Big Show, the Dudley Boyz and Cesaro as former 'Paul Heyman guys'.

These days, Heyman acts as 'Special Counsel' to Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. He also has a creative say in The Tribal Chief's storylines.