Since returning to the WWE in 2012, Lesnar has been a phenomenal success. After defeating Triple H in a long-term feud in 2013, the Beast did the unthinkable: ending the Undertaker’s undefeated Streak at WrestleMania XXX.
With a lengthy WWE Championship reign in 2014-15, and an even longer Universal title reign from 2017-18, it’s clear to see that he has been a truly dominant force of nature.
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But Brock has not had this success alone. Flanked by his manager Paul Heyman, the former ECW owner has shown why he is regarded by many as the greatest manager of all time.
Managing the likes of Brock and CM Punk, Heyman has had some huge success as a manager, but here are 5 superstars you didn’t know were Paul Heyman guys.
#1 Rey Mysterio
By 1995, the American Wrestling scene was still the land of the giants, with stars such as Diesel dominating in the WWF, with Hulk Hogan being the top guy in WCW.
That same year, Heyman’s ECW was raided by both major companies, leaving the locker room short on new and innovative talent. In his efforts to constantly provide an alternative, Heyman looked at smaller, faster guys, including the most recognizable cruiserweight, Rey Mysterio.
His philosophy of “accentuate the positives, hide the negatives” worked wonders here, with fans not caring about Mysterio’s diminutive size. Instead, they just saw a fantastic wrestler, who was taking his first steps into a much larger world.
#2 Heidenreich
An often-forgotten superstar, Jon Heidenreich made his main on-screen debut in 2004, flanked by Heyman.
A deranged, demented figure, Heidenreich would attack whoever he wanted, before citing poetry, which he referred to as his disasterpieces.
With Heyman, Heidenreich made an impact from the start, attacking the legendary Undertaker, costing him the WWE Championship at both No Mercy 2004 and Armageddon 2004.
Despite coming up short against the Deadman in a Casket Match at the 2005 Royal Rumble, Heidenreich would have some success after being managed by Heyman, capturing the WWE Tag Team Championships at the Great American Bash that same year.
#3 ‘Ravishing’ Rick Rude
Before joining WWE, even before joining ECW, Heyman worked for World Championship Wrestling.
In late 1991, one of the biggest stars in the Georgia-based company’s history, Ric Flair had left for the WWF, a large hole was left in their roster.
It was Heyman’s idea to sign former WWF star Rick Rude, who Paul knew was at the top of his game.
Together, the two had great success in WCW, with Rude being the crown jewel of Heyman’s flock at the time, which included Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Larry Zbyszko and Madusa.
#4 The Miz
The road for Mike ‘The Miz’ Mizannin to WWE was a long and complicated one. Coming up short in the 2004 Tough Enough to Daniel Puder, The Miz would finally make it in 2006, as the host of Friday Night SmackDown.
From there, Miz would eventually get to wrestle, and has since captured the US, Intercontinental, Tag Team and WWE Championships.
Bringing Mizannin to OWV in Kentucky, Heyman was able to help break the nerves of The Miz, allowing this worried goody-two-shoes to express a meaner, more cocky attitude.
However, Heyman refuses to take credit for the Miz’s overwhelming success, saying he was just lucky to work with him at the time.
#5 Steve Austin
One of the most iconic WWE superstars of all time, Austin is a former WWF, Intercontinental and Tag Team Champion, as well as the 1996 King of the Ring, and a record-setting 3-time Royal Rumble winner.
But before he was Stone Cold, Austin joined Heyman’s ECW, after being famously fired (via a FedEx) from WCW.
Whilst Austin credits Heyman for helping him make the Stone Cold character, Paul has always said Austin would have got there himself, and the manager was just lucky to be able to work with the right guy at the right time.
When firing him, Bischoff said how there was nothing that could be done with Austin: who wore a simple black boots and black trunks look. Oh how wrong they were.
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