Heyman Treating WWE Hall of Fame Induction Like ‘Rookie of the Year’ Award

Just because Paul Heyman is being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this year doesn’t mean he’s slowing down anytime soon … ’cause the wrestling legend tells TMZ Sports in reality, he’s just getting started!!

The big news was announced earlier this week … stating the “Wise Man” would receive top honors when WrestleMania 40 goes down in Philadelphia next month.

Heyman says he turned down several attempts to get into the Hall sooner … but everything lined up perfectly to get it done this time around — especially with it being in the City of Brotherly Love, where WCW was based.

Despite the nostalgic aspect of the ceremony, Heyman admitted it’s not his style to look back on his journey … ’cause he’s always thinking about what’s next.

“I never dwell on the past, I’m always looking into the future, which is another reason why I’ve never accepted it before,” Heyman tells us. “I kind of really look at this as my ‘Rookie of the Year’ award because I think it’s taken 40 years to kind of really figure out this industry and the art of presentation.”

Heyman says he really feels like he’s firing on all cylinders now … and he has no plans of slowing down anytime soon — unless, he jokes, WWE has something to say about it.

As for the day the news broke, Heyman hilariously described it in one word — “bothersome.”

There’s more — Heyman also has a message for the Cody Crybabies … as well as the Kelce brothers and Taylor Swift.