Paul Heyman believes running WWE’s creative process today is far more complicated than it was during the Vince McMahon era, and he sees Paul “Triple H” Levesque as the ideal person for the role.
Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Paul Heyman explained that the position has evolved significantly from the one he once aspired to hold.
“When I became the executive director of Monday Night Raw, Vince asked me, what’s your goal in this long term?” Heyman recalled. “My answer was, in five years, I’d like to be the Chief Creative Officer.”
Heyman noted that Levesque’s title as WWE’s Chief Content Officer reflects how much the job has changed.
“Paul Levesque is not the Chief Creative Officer in WWE, he’s the Chief Content Officer,” Heyman said. “That designation, I think, is the tell-all moment as to his approach to the responsibility and accountabilities that go with the job.”
According to Heyman, modern wrestling content must satisfy far more than just creative expectations.
“He is the Chief Content Officer in an era where technology rules the algorithm and the algorithm dictates creativity,” Heyman said. “It can be the most creative and innovative booking you’ve ever seen, but if it doesn’t feed the algorithm, no one’s going to see it.”
Heyman admitted that even he would not want the position in today’s environment because of the number of different interests that must be balanced.
“You have to please Netflix, you have to please NBCU, you have to please Disney slash ESPN. You have to please the purchasing audience. You have to please the talent,” he said.
Despite those challenges, Heyman believes Levesque excels in the role because of his ability to adapt.
“Paul Levesque is the best person for that job. He’s a collaborator. He pivots,” Heyman said. “He understands that what works today may not work tomorrow.”
Paul Heyman Names WWE Stars He Sees As The Future Of The Company
Paul Heyman also pointed to several WWE stars he believes have become major attractions under Paul Levesque’s leadership, including Oba Femi and Trick Williams.
“Look at the past eight to 10 months in WWE. Oba Femi has become an attraction. Trick Williams has become an attraction,” Heyman said.
He also predicted a bright future for Je’Von Evans and Sol Ruca, calling Ruca “an absolute bona fide attraction” and expressing confidence that Evans will reach a similar level.
Asked how Levesque handles both praise and criticism, Heyman said the WWE executive can separate constructive feedback from the noise and adjust when necessary.
“I don’t think he takes the compliments to heart, because I don’t think he takes the invalid criticism to heart,” Heyman said.
Heyman ultimately summed up his feelings on Levesque’s abilities with a strong endorsement.
“You give me a few billion dollars and say start a wrestling company,” he said. “I’m hiring him for the job.”
