In an interview with the New York Post about his upcoming WWE Hall of Fame induction, Paul Heyman addressed the role he has in The Bloodline's creative process.
Heyman will play a significant role accompanying The Bloodline for the main events of WrestleMania 40 next month. The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins is set to headline night one of the event. On night two, Reigns defends his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Rhodes.
Heyman told the New York Post that he carries a "significant voice" in how The Bloodline is portrayed and presented. Heyman doesn't think he would be satisfied just being a performer. He has to have some level of input -- and that input has been encouraged and well-received within WWE:
I carry a significant voice in how we are portrayed and presented — that includes everything from camera angles to music to storylines.
It’s why Roman Reigns bestowed upon me the blessing name of the Wiseman, which is both acknowledgment from the Tribal Chief to his Special Counsel, and also a historical reference to the Grand Wizard, Freddie Blassie and Captain Lou Albano, who are the only managers during the Vincent James McMahon (father of Vince McMahon) era.
I don’t know if I could only be a performer. I wouldn’t be satisfied. I wouldn’t be happy with just going out there and doing our shtick. I have to have a voice. I have to have some level of input, and so far, as luck would have it, that input has been not only welcomed but encouraged and very well received.
Heyman said The Bloodline story has staying power because it's constantly evolving. When he and Reigns were paired together in WWE, their goal was to put together a body of work that would be comparable to some of television's greatest shows:
It’s not based on instant gratification and shock value. The whole designation of the Tribal Chief, The Bloodline, the family saga that plays out on TV and premium live events, is to present the highest quality product this industry has ever seen. We’re cognizant of the fact that for generations great performers in this industry have been inspired, like Bruno Sammartino, Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, DX, Stone Cold, The Rock. It’s been done.
So, when Roman Reigns and I had a chance to work together, starting in August of 2020, our designation was to put together a body of work that would upon reflection compete with 'Peaky Blinders,' 'The Sopranos,' 'The Wire,' 'Fargo,' 'Breaking Bad' — the most compelling dramas with the most riveting villains that anyone has ever seen. It’s a disruption of what had become the status quo in sports entertainment, and then a constant search for us to disrupt that disruption.
It was announced on Monday that Heyman has been named the first member of WWE's 2024 Hall of Fame class. The induction ceremony is taking place after SmackDown in Philadelphia on Friday, April 5.
Dave Meltzer stated on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE had offered to induct Heyman into the Hall of Fame in previous years but Heyman turned it down because he's still active in the industry. Heyman confirmed that in his interview with the New York Post, noting that he's declined the honor several times.
Heyman still feels his body of work is incomplete and there's still a lot he wants to accomplish, but Heyman decided to accept the induction this year.
"This being the first year that Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, WWE’s chief content officer, is fully in charge of the inductions, coupled with it being the 40th WrestleMania and happening in Philadelphia, are why he decided the time now is right," the New York Post wrote.
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