When it comes to elevating talent, few minds in wrestling have the credibility, creativity, and cunning of Paul Heyman. A manager, advocate, and on-screen genius, Heyman has molded some of wrestling’s biggest stars—making them believable, dangerous, and unforgettable. But not all Heyman guys are created equal. Some went on to become legends. Others fizzled despite the hype.
In this list, we’re ranking the 10 greatest Paul Heyman Guys in order of credibility—not just popularity, but how believable, dominant, and legitimate they felt under Heyman’s guidance.
10. Heidenreich
Let’s be honest—Heidenreich is the classic example of the wrong pairing at the wrong time. While Heyman was paired with him during his SmackDown GM run in 2004, the experiment never clicked. Heidenreich was meant to be a deranged enforcer—a modern-day psychopath—but fans saw through it. He lacked ring presence and promo ability, and Heyman couldn’t mask those flaws.
Credibility-wise, Heidenreich was never seen as a serious threat. Despite feuds with The Undertaker and a run with the tag titles alongside Animal (yes, that Animal), he never felt like a top-tier star, and Heyman’s involvement couldn’t change that. He’s a footnote in the Paul Heyman legacy. The less said about the fact that he likely raped Michael Cole and read him poetry, the better.
9. Cesaro
When Paul Heyman aligned with Cesaro in 2014—immediately after Cesaro won the inaugural André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal—fans were thrilled. It felt like a turning point. Cesaro had long been seen as one of the most technically gifted wrestlers in the world, and pairing him with Heyman should’ve meant a main event run.
Unfortunately, the pairing was short-lived and awkward. Heyman spent most of their time together still referencing Brock Lesnar’s victory over The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX, stealing attention from Cesaro. The Swiss Superman never truly benefitted from Heyman’s mouthpiece status. He remained stuck in the upper-midcard, never breaking into full main event territory during that time. Cesaro makes it to number 9 instead of 8 because of “potential,” which is not something we could say for the next guy…
8. Curtis Axel
When Curtis Axel was unveiled as the new “Heyman Guy” in 2013, many fans were intrigued. The son of WWE legend Mr. Perfect and a former NXT standout, Axel had wrestling pedigree and the right look. Not the mention, that that moment, from now, from this moment on, this will be the moment, starting now, of the Genesis of McGillicutty. Heyman gave him instant credibility by aligning him with CM Punk’s former advocate, and Axel was quickly elevated into the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Despite winning the IC title and being involved in key storylines (including feuds with Triple H and Punk), Axel lacked charisma and in-ring explosiveness. Heyman’s efforts felt like overcompensation. The crowd never truly bought into him as a threat. While he had gold around his waist, he didn’t carry the aura of a top-tier competitor. Even Heyman has said in interviews that he felt sorry for Axel because he was simply used as a punching bag to move along Brock Lesnar’s storylines, and that was always the plan and all he’ll ever be.
7. Ryback
This one’s polarizing. Heyman aligning with Ryback in 2013 seemed like a creative Hail Mary after Ryback’s failed face push. Heyman turned him into a “bully for hire,” helping him feud with CM Punk. The results were mixed. Ryback had intensity and size but lacked the finesse and psychology needed for a true main event heel.
Still, Ryback’s time with Heyman added depth to his character and presented him as a legitimate threat—if only briefly. While he never captured world championship gold, his image under Heyman was more believable than that of Axel or Heidenreich. He was dangerous, if not championship material. Not to mention, Heyman has been vocal in the past of not being a big fan of Ryback. Not really a good sign when the guy who’s purpose in kayfabe is to hype you up when in real life he doesn’t think much of you, DAD.
6. Big Show
The Big Show is often overlooked in Heyman’s history, but he was a surprisingly effective Heyman Guy—especially during his 2002 run when Heyman turned on Brock Lesnar to side with Show. This move led to Show winning the WWE Championship from Lesnar at Survivor Series, a shocking moment that cemented his role as a credible top heel.
Heyman added edge and urgency to Show’s character, transforming him from a floundering giant into a calculating monster. Their alliance made Show feel important again and led to some of his most impactful work during the Ruthless Aggression Era. This was, of course, just before Show turned face, heel, face, tweener, face again, heel, and, of course, double heel.
5. Rob Van Dam
RVD and Paul Heyman are forever linked through ECW. As one of the faces of the original promotion, Van Dam’s credibility skyrocketed thanks to Heyman’s creative trust and booking style. Heyman let RVD be RVD—innovative, cocky, and reckless in the best way.
That credibility carried over into WWE. When Heyman returned in the mid-2000s, RVD became one of his pet projects, culminating in the memorable One Night Stand PPV in 2006 where RVD defeated John Cena for the WWE Championship—thanks in part to Heyman’s interference. Under Heyman, RVD always felt like a revolutionary, someone who could change the industry, and for a while, he did. And then, he went and smoked once up, which as we all know is a terrible, lowdown, evil thing to do unless you’re Randy Orton, idiot!
4. Kurt Angle
Paul Heyman’s time as SmackDown’s lead writer during the Ruthless Aggression Era saw him guiding Kurt Angle through some of the best work of his career. While Heyman wasn’t Angle’s on-screen advocate, he was the driving force behind how Angle was presented—relentless, intense, and every bit a wrestling machine.
Angle’s credibility was never in doubt—Olympic gold, flawless in-ring work, and a compelling heel character. But it was Heyman’s behind-the-scenes vision that allowed Angle to thrive as the “face” of SmackDown, putting him in legendary matches with Brock Lesnar, Chris BenoCENSORED, and Eddie Guerrero. Angle under Heyman wasn’t just a star—he was the standard.
3. CM Punk
CM Punk didn’t need Paul Heyman to get over—but Heyman helped him become a legend. Their 2012 partnership was lightning in a bottle. Punk’s record-breaking WWE Championship reign (434 days) was bolstered by Heyman’s promos, strategy, and ability to generate nuclear heat. They had real-life chemistry that translated beautifully on-screen.
When Punk turned heel and aligned with Heyman, it created a villainous force that felt unbeatable. From targeting The Rock to tormenting The Undertaker, Punk’s aura of danger was multiplied by Heyman’s mind games. He wasn’t just a champion—he was a cult leader with a master strategist by his side.
2. Roman Reigns
The moment Roman Reigns returned in 2020 and stood beside Paul Heyman, everything changed. Dubbed the “Tribal Chief,” Reigns entered a career-defining era—one fueled by calculated dominance, storytelling excellence, and Heyman’s unmatched delivery.
Heyman gave Reigns something he always lacked as a babyface: credibility and depth. Reigns was no longer a corporate push. He became a dangerous, complex anti-hero. With Heyman’s whispering influence, Reigns would go on to hold the Universal Title for over 1,400 days, unify the WWE and Universal belts, and headline multiple WrestleManias. He’s arguably the most effective “Heyman Guy” in modern wrestling. Ironically, when pairing up with Paul Heyman, this became the one time in history where Roman Reigns would NOT need a mouthpiece.
1. Brock Lesnar
There can be no doubt. Brock Lesnar is the ultimate Paul Heyman Guy—and quite possibly the best “client” in pro wrestling history. From the moment he debuted in 2002 with Heyman by his side, Lesnar was booked as a generational monster. And Heyman’s promos sold that idea with terrifying precision.
Lesnar became the youngest WWE Champion ever. After returning in 2012, Heyman guided Lesnar through one of the most dominant stretches in wrestling—ending The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania 30, crushing John Cena at SummerSlam 2014, and winning multiple world titles.
No other star in the Heyman orbit has exuded credibility like Lesnar. He was part-time, yet always felt like the biggest threat on the roster. Heyman’s promos made it clear: when Brock Lesnar enters the ring, something real is about to happen unlike pooping on an intern’s head.
Verdict
Paul Heyman’s legacy isn’t just about who he aligned with—it’s about who he made feel real. While not every Heyman Guy became a world-beater, the best ones—Lesnar, Reigns, Punk—felt like untouchable forces in their prime. Also, you’ll notice that Seth Rollins didn’t make the list. That’s because his stint with Heyman isn’t over, and honestly, has been one of least credible additions in a long time.
Love him or hate him, Heyman’s eye for talent and ability to enhance credibility is second to none.
Who’s your favorite Paul Heyman Guy—and who do you think he should manage next?
