Paul Heyman Talks Writing WWE TV "GM Roles Are Played Out"

In this clip from our live show with Paul Heyman, the new Executive Director of Monday Night Raw talks candidly about why he thinks the role of GM is played out, what he thinks would work better for todays product and how he approaches writing storylines for TV. Subscribe to the channel for more clips of our live shows and interviews and don't forget to like and comment too!
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In this clip from our live show with Paul Heyman, the new Executive Director of Monday Night Raw talks candidly about why he thinks the role of GM is played out, what he thinks would work better for todays product and how he approaches writing storylines for TV. Subscribe to the channel for more clips of our live shows and interviews and don't forget to like and comment too!

[@animeshmishra7576]

Now it looks like WWE is going get high Rattings

[@OikPoinFive]

u wysh

[@margaretseddon4653]

Gavin says: Paul should still be ECW general manager as it makes more sense!!!!!

[@Soldmysoulforablurayplayer]

Whats the bet RAW will still have a GM in the coming weeks. Cause it doesn't matter what Paul Heyman would do, Vince will still have the last word.

[@Okay0707]

Y'all need to write Fox and bitch about it

[@stonecoldsteveautism8841]

Nxt mastered this. Regal is the GM but hardly ever comes out.

[@hitriangleinc]

And when he does, you know shit's going down.

[@oz70nyc50]

@@hitriangleinc Was about to type the very same thing

[@RVNT9OE]

Regal only comes out to put mofos in WarGames lol

[@dilayaydogdu2130]

He's the best GM right now. When i see his name or his face, i pay attention.

[@mowais5395]

A Revenant In The Nine Circles of Elysium 😂😂 I was going to say that

[@mohammadsadiq9357]

William Regal is how every GM should be.

[@jonathanwilliams5243]

This guys so good totally agree

[@ews6724]

I agree a gm being on the show every week or two weeks undermines the role of gm

[@fillgollinsdergroarticheme8442]

or Ted Turner

[@cricrevolution2k24]

Please remove wildcard rules in wwe

[@LoCoAde87]

@@thewriter2634 Learn to use your caps lock button, kid.

[@DAKOTAx007]

Yes remove wildcard

[@Irraptured]

@@LoCoAde87 He *IS* using his caps lock button, kid.

[@downer9099]

@@thewriter2634 fuck you

[@bastiisalive]

I havent been keepin up wit WWE much, what is this wildcard?

[@kennyomegapushcesaropushhe4184]

Genius and best talker in history of wrestling

[@stevenmarrone1526]

Kenny Omega#PushCesaro#PushHero absolutely, he is The Godfather of wrestling

[@andrewsparkes8829]

He's good, but let's not throw people like The Rock, Austin, Heenan, JR et al under the bus when they're all great in different ways.

[@OikPoinFive]

I loved that gimmick; the genius of wwe long ago; managed mr perfect, Beverly Bros

[@OikPoinFive]

what does jr stand for?

[@kennyomegapushcesaropushhe4184]

@@OikPoinFive Jim Ross

[@liverpoolynwa2151]

Bring back the draft after Extreme rules and dont change the rosters for 2 full years

[@DAKOTAx007]

Golden bullet make sure the balls are in the spin wheel to 😂💪🏼🔥

[@liverpoolynwa2151]

@@DAKOTAx007 the good days of wwe 😂💯

[@ohMikkel]

I think once a year is better. Keeping the rosters fresh is key to keep people interested as it offers new rivalries, match-ups etc...

[@Starveed]

I loved the draft. I was hyped when they announced the brand split because of the draft but we never got it back. And now due to low ratings and because of the lack of starpower (they have many stars but didnt build them) they brought in the wild card rule which we all now, sucks

[@OikPoinFive]

spin the wheel; make the deal !

[@frank-bmtz]

Hopefully him and Eric Bischoff have complete creative control of SmackDown and Raw respectively. That will bring ratings back.

[@rathuel4701]

Sadly they don't. They still have to go through the subborn old man who still oversees everything

[@frank-bmtz]

@@rathuel4701 One can stay hopeful. If Vince is smart and cares about his business, he will let them do their thing. All he has to do is realize AEW is a forced to be reckoned with, and that being stubborn will only make Fox lose interest once AEW starts airing in the fall. Fox won't keep an unprofitable SmackDown in its portfolio forever, and USA will eventually get tired RAW and their low ratings now that they'll have some reasonable competition.

[@13Dixiefried]

@@rathuel4701 Vince McMahon wouldn't put those two encharge if he didn't truth them to get the job done.

[@rathuel4701]

@@13Dixiefried it's tough to call what's going to end up happening here, but no Vince is still in charge. I think if he truly wanted there to be change he would realize his ways don't work and would step down. But who knows, maybe he will just let them do their thing. It's tough to say

[@13Dixiefried]

@@rathuel4701 yeah, this is more of a sit back and see what unfolds by WrestleMania next year.

[@oldisnew3967]

Paul Heyman is giving me hope for WWE. More matches less backstage political crap being made into TV drama.

[@Josh92SA]

To be honest, that's a bad thing. I mean, think about how much drama went on around matches back in the attitude era & ruthless aggression era. That's why they were so popular. It's the shit storylines and crap acting that's bringing the business down.

[@oldisnew3967]

@@Josh92SA I understand your disagreement. I think because I've been watching NJPW for the last two years, I've grown accustomed to having great matches first, then having the option of watching backstage stuff after the show. I do miss the old days of great storylines, don't get me wrong, but so many of years of abuse to my senses by the insulting storylines have made me fall more in love with the wrestling aspect and less with the story aspect. If wrestlers are given carte blanche to come up with their own promos and not have to read scripts every week maybe I can learn to love them again, but it will take time to rebuild that trust.

[@heelstevenmaggle5615]

@@oldisnew3967 If there's no story, it's just boring midgets pretending to fight.

[@oldisnew3967]

@@heelstevenmaggle5615 I'll reiterate, the days of old, slow, 5 move wrestling is boring to me now. The newer generation that can fly high, and string together multiple moves that rival a high flying trapeze artist, are what draw me in, and I'm not alone. I respect your opinion that a story can enhance the actual wrestling, but I no longer rely on story to get me through a program. Just my opinion, but I see your side too. Like I said, they might win me back if consistency comes back to the storytelling, but I would rather watch wrestling than listen to someone talk for 30 mins one week and then nothing really comes of it in the form of a satisfying payoff at the end.

[@dx_lost_xb1103]

Real wrestling is what we need again. Ecw, some hardcore real wrestling. No bullshit story’s, actual heat between wrestlers in a match, and better “superstars” as Vince would say. He cut so much talent off it’s actually sad.

[@Nemesis_T_Type]

WWE's biggest mistakes this past few years: 1. Not giving Braun the WWE title. 2. Not letting Asuka and Shinsuke win at Wrestlemania. 3. Their heels are pathetic. They need to build them up as legit threat and not some fodder.

[@Y2Karnage]

I would of had Nakamura win the title and Askua would lose her match. Nakamura really that win to get over with the casual audience. They could of had Carmella try to cash in on Charlotte after the match. And Askua would of screwed Carmella over in a show of respect to Charlotte.

[@CarterHayes77]

Nemesis T-Type everyone sounds the same on the mic, overly scripted dialogue.

[@WCWThunderRosa]

That’s how Vince has always booked though. He always builds up monster heels for the top guys to beat. And it used to work in the territory days when the heel would go somewhere else after the blowoff match but that doesn’t happen anymore.

[@spy1545]

Yes Heels should be dominant there is not a perfect heel on the roster today comparing with old times

[@spy1545]

@@CarterHayes77 yes especially seth and kofi and all babyfaces

[@hope2bedopeentertainment867]

Priorities for a good wrestling company... 1. Story/Storytelling. 2. Character Development 3. In-Ring performance 4. Continuity 5. Whats on the line/ reason for fighting

[@Starman.2957]

Hope2BeDope Entertainment perfect

[@promisnwekenta9703]

And where's money? Terrible list guy, don't talk smart when you dumb

[@drewcoate8671]

@@promisnwekenta9703 he is talking about the quality of the product you moron. You do the things on the list, and the money follows. Dont talk

[@desmondciauri4616]

I hope there is building up to matches instead of these guys hate each other “Just because”

[@Ticketman99]

@@drewcoate8671 "the money follows" This is not guaranteed.

[@matthewcaligari9981]

If Vince McMahon doesn't suffocate Paul & Eric, we are in for the best story telling we've seen in over a decade. If not two.

[@SuperKeith00]

Well Paul will be fine but I don't know about Eric. To me Eric Bischoff has alot to prove.

[@expeditocolladojr5240]

SuperKeith00 I hope we get a new stable like the nwo if Eric does it , yeah I know aces and eights burned and crazy , but main event mafia was a dope concept

[@diskeyes]

Eric STILL has to prove himself. His writing was always mediocre. Paul will make RAW great again

[@svsps]

That’s one hell of a big “if”

[@MrPerfect2000Z]

Vince should have some input. The best of content is ones where creative minds are in unison like the Attitude Era. That was Russo writing with Vince's vision

[@fillgollinsdergroarticheme8442]

Heyman: writes the end first WWE creatives: writes page 1, then cancels the story

[@TheJM_]

Seeing this excites me even more!

[@DM-hq9gs]

Honestly surprised why their isn't a show called "Heyman Talks" or "Heyman Says"

[@realbishopvalentine]

dari_ m I’d definitely watch, this guy is music to my ears.

[@Blueshadow866]

And this is why he Runninng Raw because he gets it he knows everything has to be built up and not carry by a Gm sure when people see him they are gonna say ohh he runs the show but he not the GM he literally one of the writers soo he know when he out there how it feels and how the mood is this why Paul is perfect the man to drive raw

[@itsmequeenbee235]

yeah you basically wrote what he said throughout the video

[@spiritofthewolf1880]

Excited to see what Heyman brings to the table. :D

[@michaelistheman1533]

I can listen to Paul heyman all day long, he knows how to talk his way and make great things happen!

[@nickgonzales4674]

Greatest mind in the business. Make Mondays Raw again! Get'em Paul

[@IntoxicatedGhost1]

Bring back the draft and people have to earn a title shot and not just have to request for it. Put the cruiser weight back into ppv they are awesome

[@combatreigns_6696]

IntoxicatedGhost1 2016

[@IntoxicatedGhost1]

@Eric Lewis how are they shit idea's? the draft was awesome, and its stupid that the same people can just request a title shot and lose multiple time's is dumb. besides saying they are shit idea's how about you back yourself up you wanker. there's a reason why wwe sucks now because they push the same boring people have 90% of the titles now don't mean nothing

[@redcowcat8705]

I LOVE the "behind the scenes" stuff heyman!!!

[@greywolf7583]

Also the evil McMahon's are also played out since Bret screwed Bret then continued on in the Attitude Era all the to today Vince and his family played it to death.

[@MrJohnboy301]

WOW!!! What a concept! Actually knowing where you want the story to go, long term, before starting the story!!

[@nofsgiven3855]

Brilliant!. That’s a very good way to put things down write the ending and then work on getting there

[@EpicCollecting]

Paul Heyman literally just described story telling 101. Figure out your ending, have it be long term to develop characters and storylines and then do the beginning. The plus of doing this is you can also add in different characters in the event that there's an injury, or family emergency or whatever life throws. This way, the storyline continues and doesn't feel like anything is rushed or just thrown together last minute. I really look forward to what storylines come out and what talent is used to help tell the stories and wrestle and put on a clinic.

[@senceoffence34]

Cant wait to see these two revamp raw and smackdown

[@NuclearAtoms]

I'm currently playing svr gm mode and this just gave me an idea of how the story line should be going on a track!!!👏

[@expeditocolladojr5240]

Nuclear Atoms man I fucking miss that in the games , they became alil boring

[@Rafay7969]

PAUL'S RIGHT. It's like making a goal for example "I wanna go to college next year". That's the endpoint/goal and so them you work your way through till that day and be like here's how we get there. More of wrestling ideas and storyline creations should be like this so the endpoint is not disappointing.

[@kingblitzz3743]

I'm excited again can't wait!!

[@swinehouse]

Heyman there, as always, making it look easy and validating his new job, while simultaneously giving me hope for Raw in less than 2 minutes

[@BronzeBullBalls]

"It was not me sir..." lol Prichard does a good Heyman.

[@SillyDeal1604]

Please Paul, You're our only hope. Make RAW great again.

[@DeeBuilder713]

Looks like it’s gonna be a good time for wrestling WWE & AEW it’s gonna be beautiful

[@peterarvanitis6497]

Hood Fight 101 exactly my friend

[@hunterboyd3472]

Start from the ending...love it

[@longhornfanforever1576]

Last night showed Heyman was in charge. Good show.

[@scottrae4450]

Voice of a wrestling genius.

[@ianaddison6277]

I'm liking his ideas already. Planning things out long term instead of one-two days of hype then a rivalry match. Building the story and having the WWE Universe understand and choose their sides in a rivalry.

[@rubbishgamingtv3792]

This could be interesting, I’ll tune in tonight to see if anything’s changed

[@rubbishgamingtv3792]

Well for a start the first show was way better than anything they have done for the past few years

[@jounigames5876]

More please!!!

[@marco4149]

I love this man so much... I haven't watched wrestling for years. And now I hear that both him and Bischoff are coming back? I'll give it a try.

[@TheRV1HD]

An example of the GM stuff being played out is the contract signings in the ring being overseen by an authority figure. Why does it always have to be in the ring and why for a match we already know is being booked for an event? You want to see a contract signing done right go watch the segment where Heyman got Undertaker to sign a contract in a darkened room. That sold everything. You want them to go face to face? You don't always need Miz TV. Do a sit down interview like JR did with Rock and Austin prior to Mania 17

[@pauladams1915]

How do you get to see the full interviews ?

[@dixiep33]

This gives me hope.

[@Rasoighar14875]

Great to see future of wwe

[@YourCeeCeeDuelist]

man seeing this is making me more excited for tonight

[@am2382]

We count on you Paul.

[@tonymatrisin4328]

Hopefully Paul makes Somoa Joe like Tazz was in ECW, on Raw in 2019

[@iamchrollo425]

we need this kind of thinking

[@RetroX-uu6cq]

Well I might start watching WWE again after 8 years. With Paul Heyman and Eric bischoff back taking some type of creative control for each respected show. It would be very interesting to watch how both men tackle each show in their own way and compare them I will definitely start watching when they start

[@punkjustice86]

Amen!!!!! God bless this man! 💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼

[@fartdonkey8290]

I always thought the whole GM thing was just another way to eat up time by talking more and wrestling less

[@itspricila]

i attended the july 1st match and it was an awesome show so happy to see heyman back! i do agree i hate seeing contract signings its just a waste of time

[@morphdous9673]

The gm character makes for interesting segments though, in my personal opinion at least. Especially when it came to trading wrestlers. I still remember the heyman, Eric, flair moments. Even some of teddy longs. General manager plays an important role I think on the whole brand split idea. Especially with Paul and Eric running opposite shows.. having them in the spotlight once in a while making competitive moves against each other would be interesting to see.

[@ryanpotter9152]

how do i buy the whole thing?

[@Brhoward31]

Thank you

[@johns3491]

Paul Heyman nailed it perfectly! I've been saying this for years, where I hate these corporate B.S. storylines involving GMs, contract signings, dressing up in suits/ties, etc. Whatever happened to wrestlers getting over based on things they say and do to each other? This is what AEW, NJPW, and NXT are getting right.

[@harrymcmullen2227]

Spot on as usual. I’ve always been intrigued by the concept of a wrestling show that was formatted like a boxing show. Weight divisions, tiered matches and talent, and title belts providing the focal point for competition. I’d be interested to see a realisation of this concept that utilised promoters rather than GMs. In wrestling it would be like old school managers - characters such as Jim Cornette, Bobby Herman, Mr Fuji, even Paul E. Dangerously himself - but modelled in modern day promoters like Eddie Hearn and Bob Arum. Deals are made and guys fight guys without incident 90% of the time, but we get 10% of intrigue and extra character-driven stories from these promoters. And if it’s wrestling, there’s the opportunity for a Hearn vs Arum style match eventually after years of buildup. Just a thought.

[@stevenduncan6555]

That's a perfect way to do it. I hope Paul gets to do that.

[@jayrenninger7781]

Damn Paul. You are the shit!!!!!!!!!!!! Ty for all you do. Very excited about you and Eric taking over

[@Dewaynesite1]

I personally think the GM thing ended back in 2010 but kinda got interesting between Triple H and Johnny Ace angle along with becoming dual GM for Raw and SmackDown in 2012 at WM28.

[@ryankeefe1236]

I think William regal’s GM role on NXT is how to use a GM perfectly he’s on the show every now and then and just to move certain stories along

[@ZForceFFC]

Similar to how Jack Tunney was in the 80's and 90's, you didn't see him much, but when you did, you knew some serious stuff was going down.

[@thecarolinanativejxann8450]

Part two please

[@almonzocotton2908]

Thank you Paul Heyman

[@Robby_C]

It’s good to know that somebody in that company still gets it.

[@ITM95]

How can I watch the rest of these without waiting for the uploads?! Lol

[@ericbrenner690]

Would like to see more free reign of a wrestlers character. The only thing management should let them know is when to turn heel or face and I say that only to keep the balance of heels and faces. Other than that, they have complete control. Also, what happened to managers of a wrestler? Like Jimmy Hart. Would LOVE to see that instituted again.

[@Ticketman99]

Complete control? As in, they get to decide who wins and loses? Have you never heard of the term "going into business for themselves"? Give someone complete control over their character, then you'll have another Daniel Puder situation.

[@MrJjburgess11]

This guy knows how to build up a match. Perfect example is Taz vs Sabu. One of the greatest builds to a match in Wrestling history. Not sure Vince will let him run a program for that long. But it would be cool to see again.

[@gregthegroove]

I can listen to Paul read the dictionary. It’s funny, whenever I listen to Bully Ray, they sometimes sound identical. Their voices.

[@realbishopvalentine]

greg the groove :: drum covers WTF THEY DO

[@davinbloomfield8432]

Paul Heyman is Fuckin Legendary from his mindset to the way he handles a mic to matchmaking.

[@MRBYRNESVR1]

i love this man!

[@TheVoiceOfLiberty1]

Boy do I miss the back stage drama of first half of the 2000s

[@caxzrockz]

When was this recorded?

[@bibby5000]

yes, you have to decide on an epic moment (the end of a story to take place at a huge event that could be talked about in years to come), then work backwards and slowly get to that point. not just desperatly throw something in out of the blue (eg wildcard).

[@kempwilliams1638]

Good way of doing things I like Paul’s thinking

[@mikemadsen7926]

Welcome to a new generation of wrestling

[@bryancarloscowart8190]

Do Paul & bishoff start there new roles on this week's raw & smackdown or should I again not bother to watch or record either show????

[@staychopping1529]

. waiting for.reply cause I wanna Know too

[@cgomc323]

His first episode with creative control was better than anything we’ve gotten in months. Very intrigued to see where the product goes from here.

[@Heoltor]

Teddy Long coming out for 1 minute to say you are going 1-on-1 with the Undertaker or in a tag team match are generally the only times when I want to see the GM putting matches together

[@CuongCDo]

That's my same mentality to writing! That's so cool! I think like a Heyman guy*

[@9darthtyler]

Oh Paul I love you

[@markrios3256]

Damn I honestly could see Paul heyman be part of the creative team, GM , CEO, Advocate, trainer, commentary , ring announcer he could do It all hell if he was young and fit he could compete but the man has so much skill and knowledge if Wwe had more guys like him there wouldn’t be any ratings decline, or any the controversy around Wwe creative

[@mlcash9]

This man is a wrestling god everything he says is gold

[@JimVincent]

The only person who loves hearing Paul talk more than me is Paul himself.

[@jph595]

He's so right.. with one exception. Big Johnny. We need Mr. Excitement.

[@galgor]

He's right. Get rid of the self awareness aspect.. can't wait to see what he does.

[@TheSeamus82]

Could listen to him all night

[@keeprunningforest4875]

This is live changing.

[@TheGamerRist]

I hope Vince doesnt tear it up and say "No we're not doing that! We're doing something lame and boring instead." Because I really liked that Paul said.

[@sportsnewz5608]

I think Paul Heyman approach on making storylines. If plan the ending first it will be very easier for you to plan how you're going to reach the ending rather than planning the start and continuing planning all the way you get what I'm saying. I think I'm going to use Paul Heyman approach when I'm writing novels

[@wayytoosaucyy3036]

Damnit Paul how are u so damn good I stg!!!! Wrestling is in his blood

[@Kiernanf]

He just makes sense

[@Christoffski]

Yes! Simplicity.

[@ItzMeAudrey]

He gets it. Thanks, Paul!

[@joshuat770]

I love your thinking Paul Heyman

[@Matucks]

Smart man.... Damn he spits alot... Just an observation... We don't want to see WWE fail many of us been fans since the 80's... Lets hope things get better

[@OikPoinFive]

just put on your glasses to protect you from his spit aka saliva aka mouth

[@stormerbuzz352]

I'm looking forward to watching RAW after he takes over

[@bryanmdwyer]

Please remove verbatim scripted promos...that's one of the key issues. While you're at it....I think the WWE universe has had enough of the tired Raw intro of "guy one comes out...guy 2 interrupts him. A few more guys come out. Something something catch phrase. Something something Baron Corbin...something something tag match"

[@nakymawlot]

You just described monday night raw every week...

[@codyroberts7993]

I'm going to start watching raw again

[@deojai2358]

A Back Story Can Help A Story Line But Sometimes it don't

[@vishnuprakash2581]

Ending PG era is way to bring WWE back but ending PG era has now become impossible

[@KingJonathanThe1st]

Got nothing to do with PG era or Tv 14 rating; it’s lack of creating new stars through having great writers. In 2006-2007 it was tv-14 and the product was trash

[@kazar_redbull1]

jonathan. You’re right about that Chris Jericho mentioned this years ago then they let everyone get buried by Triple H or John Cena

[@nelsoncep7379]

Save us, Paul Heyman. Look I'm so excited about AEW, can't hide that, but the people in the WWE made me fall in love with the sport in the first place(probably the case for most of us). I'm not an AEW fan just shiting on WWE for fun, its painful; i have the network, couple shirts and live in the UK so gotta pull an all nighter just to watch the PPVs. When the story is crap, it hurts. This Heyman and Bischoff move gives me serious hope. I love Paul Heyman, the dude bleeds wresting.

[@itsmequeenbee235]

then you not a real Wwe fan whether you own the subscription or not

[@WickedxWonka]

William Regal is an example of the "perfect" General Manager. His first run as GM wasnt too bad by memory, but his current run as NXT GM is the stuff of legend in my book. Especially when he works with Pete Dunn. I also kinda liked Teddy Long lol outside of the monotonous tag matches, he was kind of entertaining to me haha