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Current TNA exec and former WWE, ECW and Cirque du Soliel exec Lou D'Angeli paid tribute to Paul Heyman ahead of Heyman going into the WWE Hall of Fame this Friday as part of Wrestlemania 40 weekend on D'Angeli's Instagram account:
"It being a couple days out from Paul’s (@paulheyman) induction into the WWE Hall of Fame has me reflecting on so much. I spent a world of time with Paul in ECW and WWE. There is so much to say, share, and be thankful for. However, I will share one moment that has always stuck with me.
It’s January 31, 1997 at 2am … and I get a call from Paul asking if I can pick up Rick Rude from the Philadelphia airport and drive with him to our ECW show in Long Island that night. Of course I am doing this … to spend that time with Rick Rude? Ask questions? Listen? Sign me up all day. That ride ended up being one of many I would embark on with Rick. That car time was instrumental in my learning of the wrestling business. Those are all stories for another day.
Rick died on April 20, 1999. Two days later, we had an ECW show in Staten Island. The minute I saw Paul at the building I asked for a minute. I thanked Paul for providing me with the opportunity to have had that time with Rick. As I went to ramble on all the good and all I learned, Paul stopped me and acknowledged what I was saying and asked me to do one thing. Paul asked me to please call Rick’s wife, Michelle, and share this all with her … let her hear the good from others that had spent time and were influenced by her husband…and I did.
Congrats on your induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, Paul. Thank you for these moments and for giving this ringside photographer a chance."
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