PWI Weekly for February 3, 2025
Great Minds
IT’S EASY FOR non-fans to point to our beloved sport and say that it’s just all brawn—and we don’t mean Strowman or Breakker. But behind the muscle-bound exteriors of our favourite stars, there are plenty of intellectuals at work and in this edition of the PWI Weekly, we’ve decided to highlight some of wrestling’s greatest minds.
MANAGER OF THE WEEK
2025 marks 40 years since a young upstart named Paul Heyman became a producer at the famous Studio 54 nightclub in New York City. Unsurprisingly, the wrestling obsessed Heyman set about promoting a grappling show show at the venue, featuring the like of Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes. 40 years later and “Paul E.” is still mingling with the biggest stars of the industry.
Heyman's longevity in professional wrestling is a testament to his unparalleled intellect. He seemingly possesses unlimited creativity and has an uncanny knack for bringing out the best in his charges. From elevating Brock Lesnar to superstardom to guiding Roman Reigns to unprecedented dominance, Heyman has consistently proven his mastery of character development and storytelling. He understands the nuances of psychology, expertly manipulating situations and opponents to create compelling narratives that captivate audiences.
As an on-screen talent, Heyman remains one of the finest managers of all time. He has navigated the ever-changing landscape of professional wrestling, and remained relevant in the process. Here’s hoping he’s got another 40 years in him.
A QUICK WORD ABOUT
Despite his grumpier disposition these days, Xavier Woods will likely always be thought of as one of the most entertaining performers in WWE history. His fun-loving antics as part of the New Day helped make him a star of the promotion alongside Big E. and Kofi Kingston. Beyond his in-ring persona however, Woods possesses not one, but two PhD’s. His educational pursuits have shown the importance of lifelong learning and pursuing one's passions, even while achieving success in a demanding sport like professional wrestling. Maybe it’s time WWE dusted off that old Dean Douglas gimmick and let Woods rip on those of us who aren’t as clever as him.
Oh, he’s also a pretty keen Dungeons & Dragons player as evidenced in the video below.
MUSINGS, WITH MATT BROCK
Back in the good ol' days, the 70s and 80s, wrestling wasn't just about muscles and mayhem. You had some real thinkers in the game — men with brains as big as their biceps.
Take Dusty Rhodes, for example. Now, Dusty was a poet on the mic, no doubt about it. But he was also a damn fine booker. He knew how to tell a story, how to build a crowd, how to make you believe in the impossible. He gave us classics like WarGames, a match that still resonates with fans today. It’s no surprise that “The American Dream” spent a lot of time learning from Eddie Graham while in Florida. Graham was one of the smartest promoters these old eyes have ever seen at work.
And let's not forget Bobby "The Brain" Heenan, the Weasel himself. Sure, he could cut a promo that'd make your Grandmother blush, but the guy was a master strategist. He knew how to exploit weaknesses, how to get under your skin, how to make you snap. He turned those he managed into money-making machines. If you thought Bobby was a fool, well, the joke was on you.
Then you had "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair. Flair wasn't just about the robes and the strutting. The man was a master of psychology. He knew how to work a crowd, how to get inside his opponent's head. He'd milk every move, every near-fall, making you think the match was over before it really began.
These guys weren't just wrestlers, they were cerebral in everything they did. They understood the power of storytelling, the psychology of the crowd, the importance of leaving an impression. And that's what separates the great minds from the good ones.
FROM THE VAULT
Scott D’Amore (pictured with Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide’s Dorian Roldan) is one of the most respected minds in wrestling from both a business and creative standpoint. His vision helped shape TNA Wrestling until being relieved of his duties last year. D’Amore now heads up Maple Leaf Pro-Wrestling where he also serves as the key creative figure. MLP recently announced that in 2025 they will bring wrestling back to the historic venue formerly known as the Maple Leaf Gardens.