Paul Heyman and The Undertaker real-life heat rumor addressed by WWE legend
Paul Heyman and The Undertaker have been two of the biggest names in the wrestling industry over the last three decades. WWE Hall of Famer John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) recently gave his take on speculation that the two men once had a strained relationship.
In late 2004 and early 2005, Heyman managed Heidenreich during the wrestler's feud with The Undertaker. The former ECW owner's involvement in the storyline ended after The Deadman placed him in a casket on the January 6, 2005, episode of SmackDown.
On Something to Wrestle, host Conrad Thompson mentioned that Heyman's history as SmackDown's head writer allegedly led to him having heat with The Undertaker. JBL responded by acknowledging how high-level creative team members, including Bruce Prichard, are in a difficult position:
"Heyman's in a position of power and in the position of trying to put duct tape and baling wire on a company together to try to make a living, and when you're in that position that comes with heat. That comes with a lot of heat. Bruce is one of the nicest guys I know and he has a lot of heat with people because of his position, so I think a lot of that came because of Paul Heyman's position." [1:25:01 – 1:25:23]
Heyman previously managed The Undertaker in WCW in 1990. He also represented Brock Lesnar when The Beast Incarnate ended The Phenom's WrestleMania undefeated streak in 2014.
JBL on Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon's contrasting approaches
In the 1990s, Paul Heyman helped ECW become a viable alternative to the two biggest wrestling promotions in America at the time, WCW and WWE. Vince McMahon, meanwhile, turned WWE into a global juggernaut after purchasing the company from his father in 1982.
JBL added that Heyman and nobody else in wrestling had the same ability as McMahon to make you believe a questionable idea was good:
"You disagree with something but they're the boss and they have to figure out a way to do it. You don't really like it. Very few guys are like Vince, there's nobody like Vince, that can come up with something that you disagree with and by the time you leave the room you thought it's the greatest idea ever. Most guys when you leave the room you're just mad at them." [1:25:23 – 1:25:39]
Heyman recently returned to WWE television after a five-month absence. On November 22, he reunited with the original Bloodline and introduced CM Punk as the group's Survivor Series team partner.
What are your thoughts on Paul Heyman and The Undertaker's alleged past heat? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
Please credit Something to Wrestle and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.
