What If...Paul Heyman Managed These Wrestlers?

 

Paul Heyman the greatest manager in pro wrestling history in my opinion, gets his credit and overdue induction into the WWE Hall Of Fame Friday night. I wrote a blog earlier this week on reasons why Heyman is the greatest manager ever. Then I randomly thought about the talent's he has managed such as Steve Austin, Madusa, Kurt Angle, CM Punk, Rick Rude, Big Show, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns and many more. Of course he has not been successful with every wrestler he's managed, but his track record speaks for itself. 

Which then got me thinking about which wrestlers if the stars aligned and being in different promotions and time period's wasn't an issue. Who may have been good client's to be managed by Paul Heyman. Without further ado here are ten wrestlers that may have been or could be good Paul Heyman guys and girls. 

10. Abyss

Abyss is a pillar of TNA he wrestled for the company from it's inception in 2002 until 2018. He was TNA's equivalent of The Undertaker and Kane. He was known for being brutal and taking a heap of punishment on his body. He was a conflicted character who later morphed into his "brother" Joseph Parks. For much of his time in TNA, he was managed by Father James Mitchell who accentuated his act.

Imagine if Paul Heyman was by his side as opposed to James Mitchell. Screaming at the time of his lungs at ringside for Abyss to seek and destroy. Followed by a vicious promo from Heyman to fans and opponents on the vicious beatings Abyss would dish out and the atrocious acts he could commit. Abyss may have been an even bigger star in the organization.

9. Lucha Brothers

The Lucha Brothers are two of the best luchadors wrestling today and definitely in the conversation as all time. Pentagon and Fenix are very light on their feet and make their acrobatic move sets look so flawless and easy. They also are not afraid to get into brutal matches, just look at their full metal mayhem match against LAX at Impact's Rebellion in 2019. They have very innovative moves in their respective arsenals, they would have been very exciting to watch during Heyman's ECW run.

Since English isn't their first language they typically do not conduct promos in AEW or any promotion. And Heyman typically has always managed big powerhouse or very technical wrestlers, so taking high flyers under his wing would be a nice change of pace. With Heyman by their side they could rise up the ranks as individual talents and maybe world champions. Much like Pentagon was during his run in Impact.

8. Shelton Benjamin

Shelton Benjamin is one of the most athletically gifted wrestlers to ever step foot in the ring. Even approaching his 50's he still can go toe to toe in the ring with many of today's talents. His amateur wrestling background combined with his natural gift just made for a very unique in-ring talent. Many forget he was a member of the Class of 2002 along with John Cena, Randy Orton, Batista, and his college roommate and teammate Brock Lesnar. He has had a long twenty plus year career spanning several promotions and was successful in every one.

One skill Shelton definitely never had was comfortability on the microphone. Paul Heyman would take care of that much as he has done for Brock Lesnar. In fact he probably would hype up Shelton's natural talent so well, opponents may would second guess if they had a chance against Shelton.

 I'm kind of shocked this was never entertained during Lesnar's sabbatical's from the WWE to utilize Heyman's unique skill as a manager, and Shelton's in-ring talent to climb the ladder.

7. Bull Nakano

A fellow WWE Hall Of Fame inductee this year, Bull Nakano was probably the original hard-hitting submission specialist female wrestler North American fans saw. She made her name in her home country of Japan before traveling to Mexico to gain more exposure and skill, and then making her way to the WWF. Which at the time during the mid-90's the womens roster consisted of Bull, fellow hall of famers Madusa and to an extent Luna Vachon, and Rhonda Singh who wrestled as Bertha Faye. She then moved to WCW which had the same situation, before retiring in 1997 due to multiple injuries.

Bull was intimidating with her eraser head style haircut and war paint she would wear to the ring, and ahead of her time in her wrestling style. Imagine if instead of joining WWF,  the story goes a young Heyman as Paul E. Dangerously made a million dollar deal to bring Bull Nakano to an American audience by her side as her advisor. While competition may have been slim, the mythology and star power of Bull would have grown exceptionally with Heyman as her hype man. She may have been able to make more of an impact in the U.S. and be beloved even more.

6. Josh Alexander

Josh Alexander is arguably the best technical wrestler on a nationally televised promotion right now. His mentality and his presentation just shout's old school with his hard hitting submission style, combined with his singlet and headgear amateur wrestlers wear. Since joining TNA in 2019 as a member of a tag team with Ethan Page called The North, Alexander has risen up the ranks and made a name for himself. Becoming a main event player in TNA and winning the world championship twice and embarking in a very entertaining and brutal feud against Moose.

Since he is a straight forward wrestler his microphone skills are passable, but not amazing. Which is where a partnership with Paul Heyman would have been gold. Heyman would do all the talking while Alexander did all the domination. A partnership between The Walking Weapon and Heyman would be akin to Heyman's time managing Kurt Angle in ECW. A pure wrestling machine working hard, while his advisor makes sure he get's the best deals.

5. Monty Brown

I wrote a blog about Monty Brown and how big of a star he could have been. He was a rising star in TNA with solid in-ring skills, commanding mic skills, and charisma. Many fans and industry analysts were clamoring for him to become world champion in the mid-2000's with the organization. He left for WWE in late 2006 and joined the ECW brand, with his biggest claim to fame was being a member of the New Breed.

He just missed working with Heyman on the ECW brand. Brown debuted as Marcus Cor Von in January 2007, while Heyman left the company over disagreements in December 2006. Imagine if Heyman had a hand in fine-tuning Brown's skill set. Eventually appearing alongside him to elevate his microphone skills and presence. He may have been world champion of the brand before Lashley and Punk and may have shot up to the main roster. 

4. Wardlow

When Wardlow was a member of The Pinnacle and his role was the enforcer for MJF, there was a slow burn to him turning face. Fans became very invested in his journey from the dark side, with many comparing his ascension to when Batista slowly separated from Evolution before finally pulling the trigger after overhearing Triple H and Flair attempted to sabotage him in 2005. Fast forward to 2022 where after a couple months of slow dissension, Wardlow had enough and turned on MJF. 

He embarked on his own while he has had mild success as a 3 time TNT champion, he went from red hot to eh in a matter of months. Had he walked out on an episode of Dynamite one week with Heyman by his side, man oh man he may still be the AEW World Champion. He is a dominating talent with pure power, and Heyman could be his guiding light keeping him calm and methodical when he is caught up in the moment. Then reminding him when it's time to let loose. Wardlow as a Paul Heyman guy is something I would have loved to see.

3.Awesome Kong

Awesome Kong was a pillar of TNA's Knockout Division when they realized there was a market for real womens wrestling. To TNA's credit they found a way to introduce T&A and actual female wrestling into one that would appease multiple parties. The anti-knockout was Awesome Kong, she towered over the other Knockout's on the roster, and often made quick work of many of them. She had adversaries though in Gail Kim, ODB, Angelina Love and Velvet Sky, Tara, and many more to build that division up.

While she treated other members of the roster like rag dolls, Heyman could hop on the microphone and offer his hyper exaggerated play by play of the devastation. Warning whomever Kong's next target was of the impending danger coming their way and advocating for her as would dominate the knockout's division more than she did. Imagine opponent's fear as she walked to the ring side by side with Paul Heyman

2. FTR

FTR are an old school tag team, hard hitting and to the point. They are often compared to teams like The Enforcers (Arn Anderson & Larry Zybszko), The BrainBusters (Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard), and The Midnight Express among other other school teams. They are very accomplished winning tag team championships in every promotion they have competed in. Despite their hard hitting style resulting in injuries from time to time, they still perform at a high level each match and are in the conversation as one of the greatest tag teams ever.

If a situation arises where they become the clients of one Paul Heyman, the appreciation of their hard work would turn into disdain for them even stepping outside. Heyman's rhetoric about how better they are than everyone else may take things to the old days, of having fans storm to the ring hoping to get their hands on the hated heels. 

1. Cody

Man oh man, just close your eyes and imagine The Bloodline angle has completed. Cody has finished his story and won the world championship a couple of times. His character may have grown stale or maybe the fan's just suddenly turned on him much like they did in AEW. His riveting speeches just aren't connecting like they use to, and he needs a change....enter one Paul Heyman. 

They would have to share mic time, but they have great chemistry together. Just watch or rewatch this promo by the two from February for evidence. Paul Heyman by Cody's side reminding fans what idiots they are for not appreciating him, his talents, and what he has done for the business. While Cody by this time very arrogant soaking in all of adulation bestowed upon him. Would make for some great TV segments, and possibly make him the next greatest heel the wrestling business has seen. With Heyman by his side, this version of Cody could possibly be the most successful Cody ever. 

You never know how the story may go, so if that were to occur in real life. It could go so many ways, if it does happen I'd be along for the ride.