Paul Heyman Analyzes Paul Levesque's Leadership in WWE!

Paul Heyman spoke on Triple H (aka Paul Levesque) taking over as the head of creative in WWE and his skill as the Boss! Paul shares key insights on their history dating back to 1997 and what it's like collaborating on the Bloodline storyline and Wrestlemania 40.
This is from the exclusive notsam wrestling podcast where Sam Roberts dives deep into the WWE storyline process and more.
Paul Heyman on How Long The Bloodline Has Left, Being Put Through a Table & More | Notsam Wrestling - • Paul Heyman on How Lon...
#tripleh #paulheyman #wwe #prowrestling #notsam

[@cathallynch1]

Hunter is what Hogan should have become - using his experience and privilege to nurture instead of desperately trying to keep himself relevant.

[@Michiba]

Agree 👌

[@progers2810]

So, so true. It's such a shame to see where Hulk is, compared to where he could have been.

[@TehJew22]

​@@progers2810 or where he was.

[@iggyg6251]

The timing of it wouldn’t work for hogan brother. Cause Vince was still in charge. And hogan wasn’t dating his daughter.

[@WackGloony]

@@iggyg6251 Hogan still had many chances when he went to TNA to lead that place and he completely messed that up too.

[@StealthMarmot_]

Paul Levesque reminds me a lot of Don Vito Corleone from the Godfather. In a messy business like wrestling, Levesque tends to work on gaining loyalty through generosity and favors, he works on making people feel valued and would be the one making sure they are cared for and covered. He values long term relationships and understands the value of friends. Levesque was often the designated driver of the Clique, and in my opinion that wasn't him being nice, but being a long term thinker. It both made sure his friends stayed out of trouble where possible AND made sure they knew who they could count on. I think Levesque honestly does care for people, but I think that more than that he knows that this sort of behavior reaps long term benefits. He's not afraid of getting harsh or nasty if needed, but he probably sees it as a last resort. Levesque doesn't just value loyalty, he cultivates it, and that's what makes him a good leader. Don't mistake it for being nice, or kind, but instead see it as being smart.

[@BadLuckGino]

What an observation and it makes us the fans respect Triple H even more. He commands respect without ever demanding it if that makes sense. And this is what leadership is, not being a boss but someone people can count on when it's time to go to war. People need LEADERS, not bosses.

[@sparkywilson1405]

Being willing to give people the shirt off your back *can* get you out of a lot of tight spots in life.

[@lucianocortes8636]

Rofl he a shoveler

[@moeski17]

He's been through it firsthand and schemed his way to the top just like Vito. Kind of what makes him a great leader, he can see everyone's perspective.

[@MALITH666]

Not surprised. I remember somone else (Cornet? Lawler?) said along the lines of - As much as Hunter says he is the 'Game', in reality he is a 'Student of the Game' since day one. He loves to learn new things and ideas whether its moves or business.

[@jamesedmonds7519]

He said it himself, he was interested in production, camera placement etc. People act like he only got to that position by marrying Stephanie but I think that's nonsense. If he was no good at it, Vince wouldn't have elevated him and he wouldn't have made a success of it. He was already in production meetings for years before he got with Stephanie.

[@liamjohnstone1062]

​@@jamesedmonds7519 ive always hated that argument. "He only ever got a push cos he was screwing the bosses daughter!" Bro was a 3x WWE Champion before they even started dating

[@LiftandCoa]

But its an undenieable fact that hunters exec position is a product of nepotism. Yes, he does have the necessary skills to back up his promotion. He certainly has the skills to outperform his direct rival for that position (Shane). But both of them were in consideration because of who they were, not what they can do. The final decision (either Shane or Hunter) may was on merit.

[@jamesedmonds7519]

@LiftandCoa Hunter would have had a prominent role without Steph. He has a great understanding of the business, he's passionate, intelligent and he did it, at the highest level for decades. Nepotism is clearly involved but he does have the ability to do actually do it. Also, I don't think Shane wanted it.

[@solodolo4098]

​@@jamesedmonds7519did any of you watched the curtain call interview that Tripple H did with JR? That broke him and he became The game.

[@eyzzquare7811]

I remember in a Bret Hart interview, he dissed Triple H saying "He never have a creative idea, all he do is listen and follow." And I think that's what makes Triple H the best student of the game. He listens to everyone and learn as much as possible, and now, he's applying everything he learned over the years. Being a good listener is not a bad thing.

[@KevinMartinez-ct3wx]

People must learn their different ways to lead. All cause you are the leader doesn’t mean you have all the ideas. Shutting up and listening then using those things to make a plan is leading as well. So as great as Bret is he needs to learn that

[@chriskay1449]

Bret has had to eat his words since Triple H took over.

[@Silica.Animus]

He is The Game

[@shankleythebest]

Should always take what Bret says with a pinch of salt, the guy is so bitter and is completely up his own arse.

[@whatsthisaboveme6064]

So Paul heyman secretly wants to conquer Canada

[@vileluca]

he wants Vancouver's weed for RVD

[@Master-Ganja]

@@vileluca LMAO!! I want Vancouver's Weed for Me

[@crashpal]

I'm Canadian and totally down with that. Justin Trudeau never did good for us and Conservatives are full of corrupts.

[@CanadianJames]

We need Paul ECW Heyman to save Canada from Justin Trudeau

[@kaeleastlord]

​@@vileluca He wants the weed for himself

[@unclefred3128]

Triple H has probably had the biggest babyface turn in the history of wrestling and it didn't even happen in storyline. He went from Shawns Cliq friend, to big-leaguing to remain on top, to being the Son-in-law who takes up half of a PPV. Then suddenly he's running NXT, kicking ass at it and everyone loves him backstage. And then there's now...... Who'd have thunk it?

[@RicoSuavae]

Also a period of time where he started dating Stephanie and went through grusome matchs getting buried while HBK was gone for those years

[@themondliverse]

Thunk it, ,or thought it?🤣

[@unclefred3128]

@@themondliverse Really? You're attempting to correct a deliberate typing choice when you're in no position to do so. You put a comma, a space, another comma and then no space between words lol

[@themondliverse]

@@unclefred3128 I appreciate the correction on the commas, I'll be mindful of that going forward. Secondly, calm down. Nobody is pointing a loaded rifle to your head. It ain't that deep.

[@unclefred3128]

@@themondliverse If it "isn't" that deep; why did you comment?

[@petros-v4w]

One thing that HHH posseses that is rare nowadays, in each and every profession, is that 99% of the people work because they have to. Imagine a worker going up and up the ranks becoming a CEO. He knows everything about the job, however he is bored now and just mechanically works. HHH is not only this worker that went up and up and up to become a CEO, but on top of that, he LOVES HIS WORK eternally, never stopped this. And this is the secret of his success.

[@MrBogus213]

Being thoughtful, generous, loyal and open minded while still being shrewd and forward thinking? That will get you places anywhere. I'm not surprised he is running the show, he's almost always been on the right side of backstage politics as well... Almost. I think taking singular accountability for the curtain call incident really garnered a lot of respect from He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named for Levesque.

[@krectus]

He kinda gave up on that invading Canada analogy, didn't really land it but that's how good Heyman is, doesn't even matter, still enthralled by him

[@yancgc5098]

I think he land it pretty well and really explained how Triple H thinks

[@krectus]

@@yancgc5098 So how does Triple H invade Canada then? Where does he land on that? He says the president says lets just invade Vancouver not really listening to anyone else. He's trying to make the point that Triple H listens and collaborates but the Canada thing didn't really land.

[@ggsimmonds1]

@@krectus It wasnt a great analogy, but it served its purpose. At the end Paul said the president said okay well lets invade only a segment of Canada. He was illustrating that invading Canada was a divisive decision, so the president edited his idea to only take part of canada because that seemed like it would have broader appeal

[@SuperheroRockstar]

As a Canadian I was like 😡. Then, as a Torontonian, when he doesn't mention Toronto I felt left out.

[@BEMSmarky]

Heyman's analogy about Levesque totally describes the latter's idealogy about long-term storytelling lmao

[@darrellmitchell765]

The leadership of Triple H, I have no words, and I can tell, bro, I will work with him fa sure

[@nicholasbrown7068]

Sounds like Paul Heyman has seen the movie Canadian Bacon.

[@speed6725]

I love Paul Heyman, but can somebody get this man a different suit?

[@jamesedmonds7519]

He's taller laying down than he is standing up, there's no suit that will look good on him.

[@speed6725]

@@jamesedmonds7519 I’m talking just a different suit in general. Something other than blue with white stripes

[@dgthe3]

@@speed6725 White with blue stripes?

[@Losing_momentum]

@@dgthe3 😂😅

[@davidmenzies333]

He probably has 50 of same suit

[@christianking5549]

3:24 was a shot fired at Vince lol 😆 Paul is right Triple H is doing amazing

[@edwardfordyce6174]

Craziest explanation of how someone collaborates with others. LMAO. Heyman rules

[@EwanCumia]

Sam needs to acknowledge his Uncle Paul

[@PerigeeParrot]

tsst yeah, he's like uncle, paul over I need to take a leak or sumtin tsst

[@davidjsaul]

I love how Heyman always seems to be at least half in character, even in "shoot" interviews 😂

[@btek7301]

always been a triple h fan. im always amazed when they do mount rushmores that almost no one (except mjf, which actually says alot) has him on there. at the end of the day he has contributed more to wrestling then most, and he has done it in all phases. this guy has brought back attitude era popularity and he's done it without austin, rock, hhh, taker, angle.. ..i could go on forever with the level of talent back then also that era had models topless, barking like dogs, bra and panties, and mud matches... which also dragged in a ton of guys bc internet porn didnt exist. im not justifying it, but it was another reason ppl watched.

[@BEMSmarky]

To think Survivor Series Wargames 2024 is coming to Vancouver, British Columbia, this year makes it even hilarious.

[@syncl_rity]

2:40: Paul Heyman turns into Vince McMahon/L.A. Knight.

[@allureofthelens8858]

People can hate if they want and the booking decisions across points in the 2000s were certainly questionable, but HHH was always a guy who knew what he wanted out of the wrestling business. He broke in as a nobody and became a star in the era where guys were fucked up, drunk, pilled up and dying young and he didn't do any of that, he had his eyes on the prize and he got there. People can say what they want about marrying the bosses daughter, but the fact is they're still together with 3 kids 20 years later and Vince very clearly wanted someone like HHH for Stephanie, which again speaks to his personality and focus in a business where guys were fucked up on drugs, cheating on their wives and going to strip clubs. A quote from a documentary on Evolution a few years ago stuck with me. HHH came to a young floundering Batista and said to him something along the lines of "Do you want to be liked or do you want to make it? If its the latter come with me."

[@RobertoJr.Pangilinan]

❤❤❤

[@D0ntTaseM3Br0]

Triple H was a dick back in the day for real. But this man also was the only one who never gave up on Shawn Michaels.

[@hiddensword9387]

What do you mean he was a dick? Have you spent a lot of time around him to come to this conclusion? He may have been a dick to some or perceived as such but there's some who liked him. plus, I take what wrestlers say with a big grain of salt as they are known to twist the truth and backstab, bitch and think they are being held down due to something they haven't done wrong.

[@chriskay1449]

Shawn is similar. Shawn also changed for the better because of his kids and now wants to help nurture the business. Shawn is the even more impressive case because he was a massive drug addict which Triple H was not.

[@chriskay1449]

@@hiddensword9387 Well there is a large portion of Chyna's fan base who still holds a grudge, but they completely lack any maturity to admit Chyna did everything to herself.

[@weacro]

I wish Paul would lose some weight. I want him around for a lot longer and I worry about his health at his age.

[@gerryavalos7734]

Hunter having alot of discipline to not drink surrounded by it

[@SuperMooselight]

Canadian here Winnipeg is in fact shit

[@88Diamonds]

Tvat was the strangest analogy I have ever heard.

[@NeoakiraIV]

You think Trump saw this and said hell yeah

[@eyelessnosea1413]

Looks spectacular for a guy that was slammed through a table by 3 dudes

[@rattlehead999]

he should lose a lot of weight.

[@williammoore1980]

Just wondering if Heymen has paid back all the ECW guys he didn’t pay back from back in the ECW days.

[@icedupwolf]

I bet no one from Winnipeg was offended.

[@JESK-rh1tw]

It’s ironic because growing up I remember giving up on RAW because of HHH’s reign of terror. I get the NWA style of having a long reigning heel champion but it only works if you want to tune in to seem them lose. I didn’t, I just wanted to stop watching. By contrast I loved Heyman’s work on Smackdown building up new stars and placing more emphasis on ring work than personalities. The Smackdown 6, Brock and Taker, Team Angle, Matt Hardy v1, Tajiri. Even the dreadful stuff like Al Wilson and Billy & Chuck fell into “so bad it’s good” territory. Now they’re working together it feels like we’re getting the best of both. We had Roman’s long title reign but look at the stars they built along the way. Both Usos, Solo, Sami Zayn, LA Knight, they’ve all seen their stock rise. And of course they also slowly built Roman’s Steamboat - Cody. On top of that you’ve got superb women’s divisions (Rhea is an absolute megastar) and Gunther’s amazing run as Intercontinental Champion. For the first time in decades WWE actually feels like it has someone at the wheel who knows WTF they’re doing. Even Bruce Pritchard seems to be coming up with great stuff now he’s free of Vince’s puppet strings.

[@chriskay1449]

I would say that people blamed Bruce for a lot that truly was not his fault. He had to do whatever Vince told him to do. He couldn't voice his disdain for the things he didn't like because Vince would make him pay for it. Now that VInce is gone and Bruce has actual freedom, you can see his real creativity.

[@Dontmatter484-3]

The game

[@Akashitb]

every time i hear all these legends praise triple h on his new roles i remember brett dumbass hart calling triple h stupid and good for nothing some time ago ...

[@9pastno0n]

The President wanting to invade Canada? HA! Come now Mr. Heyman, that would never EVER happ--

[@ErmacXtreme1991]

Can’t stop looking at his tan lines😂😂

[@_NutcasE_]

What the hell was the purpose of the canada invasion story.

[@yancgc5098]

It was an analogy, to explain how Triple H thinks

[@_NutcasE_]

@@yancgc5098 so he thinks about invading canada?

[@yancgc5098]

@@_NutcasE_ yes

[@Syringey]

​​@@_NutcasE_ Who doesn't?

[@ambskater97]

@@_NutcasE_ What, you don't?

[@TheGoodFellasz]

whats with the constant chatter in the background

[@terrybeseick8177]

Time to play the game actually is fact hes done it for the last 30 years are u ready 😂

[@manbearpig7359]

Did Paul run out of money to pay the make-up artist to orange out the top of his head?

[@CraigWeir-q5v]

Yes , Yes that is what has happened ...... what an idiot.

[@ZoahPorre]

lol, i noticed that too, but it may be a real tan, ive seen him in hats more often than not.

[@noirknight9770]

Vince McMahon turning in his grave 😂😂😂

[@PavColdYar]

I love when American democracy invades somewhere 😮

[@roebuckmckinney]

A gentleman of Mr. Heyman's age either needs to ditch the tan entirely or just do bronzer; tanning beds are just skin cancer generating devices. The Wiseman looks like he's wearing a Kane mask here.

[@34口2fds蛋トマgs]

Why is his face so much darker than the top of his balding head?

[@boundsy88]

Triple H doesn't tolerate entitlement of those haven't proved themselves in WWE. Guys like Mustafa Ali etc etc. and Edge expecting to be paid as much as Randy Orton or something to stay in WWE. Edge at the end of his career with all the damage to him is not worth even half a Randy Orton.

[@ziggy78eog]

So, if all of this is true, then who was he listening to for, "Pure Fusion Collective", and the whole lot of nothing that they have been doing?

[@DementedDistraction]

Yeah, that name needed to be run through a few more filters before getting the green light. I can barely remember who it is most of the time, and when I do, it just sounds like a nuclear power conglomerate.

[@chriskay1449]

Nobody bats a thousand. For all the great stuff you do, you will have your share of clunkers and things that don't work.

[@d.anthony4363]

Don't give Trump an idea 😂

[@AngelRolon-x6x]

He’d probably treat the people better than Trudeau.

[@AB-ez4rm]

@@AngelRolon-x6x He'd give them back their guns. And their money.

[@crashpal]

​@user-xo7kl8oq3k he did. He save Canada during covid times when Trudeau who was still in power couldn't

[@MatthiasPowerbomb]

@@AB-ez4rm FACTS

[@misterchubbikins]

Brah if Trump wants to invade canada i'd nominate him for king.

[@venkateshr6031]

He's just sucking up to Triple H because he's the head of WWE now. He wouldn't have cared about him back in the days.

[@jaybee5315]

rage baiting wont give you anything man

[@chriskay1449]

He did care for him back in the day because Triple H was the only one who backed him. Ditto for Stephanie.