WWE: Who can be Paul Heyman’s next client?
Having a manager is often seen as a crutch, as the management doesn’t trust the superstar that he could go out and speak the points that he had earlier read from the scripts he received. But having a manager means far from just the inability to read bullet points. Having a manager lifts off the burden from the performer, and it also adds another dimension to the character. For example, The Undertaker, although a good talker, had Paul Bearer as his manager for over a decade! That gave him the liberty to tweak his character, as he underwent many transformations, which was also the reason for him being one of the most successful superstars in the history of the industry. Having a manager would also give a certain heel-ish aura to the performer, and hence, make him more devilish than a normal heel. That is why Jack Swagger received a huge push when he came back with a different character along with Zeb Colter. Zeb created magic for Swagger, and that almost earned him the World title!
Now, in this business, you have many managers, and one of the most successful managers among them is the devil himself, Paul Heyman. Heyman has been in this business for a good part of three decades, and has managed some of the biggest names in the industry, along with Brock Lesnar in the WWE and a certain CM Punk, and was a part of his historic 434 day run as the WWE Champion.
There are very few managers who understand the business like Paul Heyman does, and at this point, since Punk is injured, Heyman has only one client, who is Brock Lesnar. After Lesnar’s match with Triple H at Extreme Rules, Lesnar will be kept on the back burner for a while, leading to his next program likely with The Rock, and Heyman will be out of clients. The WWE has already published an article for a possible superstar who would require Heyman’s managerial services. In this article, I look at three possible superstars who can use Paul Heyman’s managerial expertise.
Ryback
Ryback is probably one of the worst talkers in the industry at the moment. His promos are monotonous and boring, and if anyone can use a manager, it is Ryback. Although using Paul Heyman will be difficult to explain storyline wise, WWE has never cared to join the dots, and hence, we can see Heyman adding the name of Ryback to his client list. If that happens, then Ryback will be seen as a more legitimate threat for the WWE title. It will be interesting to see how Ryback would cooperate with CM Punk once he returns, but that will also make for interesting TV. A three pack faction including Punk, Lesnar and Ryback with Heyman as their manager could be an unstoppable force, something that has never been witnessed in the WWE or in the wrestling industry!
Antonio Cesaro
Antonio Cesaro is probably the most talented superstar in the WWE at the moment. Cesaro tasted success after coming to the WWE’s main roster by capturing the United States title and having a 200 day odd run as the champion. But right now, Cesaro has been kept on the side burner, and the rumour has it that the WWE management feels Cesaro is ‘boring’. Although I do not understand how that is possible, one of the solutions the WWE creative can come up with is by pairing Paul Heyman with Antonio. Heyman is an indy guru, and thereby must be a fan of Cesaro for his work in the independent scene. This would not only create a unique and interesting chemistry, but will also give Cesaro that extra push, which can elevate him to main event status in the company.
Wade Barrett
The brawler from the United Kingdom and the current WWE Intercontinental champion has been lingering in the mid card ever since his impressive debut on RAW as the leader of Nexus. For a long time, Barrett has been struggling to find his footing in the main event scene, and just when reports suggested that he was in line for a main event push, Barrett got injured, and since he came back, he found himself lost in the shuffle. Barrett needs a good mouth piece which would complete his character, and that mouth piece can be Paul Heyman. Heyman believes in managing the young blood, and who better to manage than the future of the company, Wade Barrett? If that indeed happens, then Wade will find himself knocking on a championship opportunity very soon.
Those are my three picks who can certainly avail the services of Paul Heyman. Let us know your opinions by commenting below, and tell us who you think can be Paul Heyman’s next client in the WWE.