The announcement of Paul Heyman’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame for the 2024 class in Philadelphia has stirred considerable excitement, particularly among former WWE Champions.
WWE has chosen Paul Heyman, famously known as The Bloodline’s “Wise Man,” as the first inductee into the 2024 Hall of Fame class.
This decision has been met with widespread acclaim, given Heyman’s significant ties to Philadelphia as the former proprietor of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW).
One individual whose career flourished under Heyman’s tutelage is Rob Van Dam, a former WWE Champion.
During a discussion with Bill Apter, RVD shared his thoughts on Heyman’s upcoming induction. He stated:
“It’s wonderful to see Heyman receiving this recognition because he played a crucial role in shaping the legacy of ECW. Without his vision, ECW wouldn’t have achieved the success it did.”
“He was the driving force behind it all, demonstrating exceptional leadership, courage, passion, and artistic direction. Paul, we owe you a debt of gratitude for everything.”
Reflecting on Heyman’s contributions within WWE, Van Dam remarked:
“Since his tenure in WWE, he has risen through the ranks with remarkable speed.”
“During my time there, particularly during the transition from ECW, Heyman encountered resistance from other agents who were hesitant to embrace change. However, many of us recognized his brilliance.”
“He consistently offered advice and support to wrestlers, even before it became an official part of his role. Seeing his journey—from overseeing everything at ECW to achieving success on a grander stage—is truly inspiring.”
“It’s evident that his perseverance and dedication have paid off.”
Rob Van Dam himself was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021. He recently made an appearance on the February 21 episode of AEW Dynamite and is scheduled to appear on AEW Collision on April 20.
