The former WWE star revealed a deep frustration with Paul Heyman, expressing a desire to “put a bullet in his eyes” due to a $170,000 financial loss caused by Heyman’s actions. During an interview with Inside the Ropes, Sonny discussed her time in ECW, describing Heyman as extremely persuasive, earning him the nickname “The Hypnotist.” She blamed Heyman for costing her and Chris Candido a significant amount of money.
Sonny explained that she managed travel arrangements for Candido and ECW, using her personal American Express card to book flights for the roster. Normally, they would submit receipts monthly to Heyman, who reimbursed them with checks of around $30,000 to $35,000, allowing them to clear their card bills without issue.
The problem arose when Sonny and Candido left ECW, but the company continued booking flights via the same travel agency and charged the expenses to their cards for several months. Despite no longer working or getting paid by ECW, their cards were still being used for travel expenses.
At the same time, Sonny and Candido were trying to secure jobs with WCW. However, ECW blocked their debut by falsely claiming they were still under contract despite their lack of payment. This happened repeatedly in the weeks leading up to their planned WCW appearances.
To sign with WCW, Sonny said they had to forfeit the $170,000 owed to them and agree not to pursue legal action against Heyman. If they declined, they would remain tied to their ECW contract for another two years, unable to work elsewhere. Ultimately, they accepted the loss to continue their wrestling careers.
Sonny’s account sheds light on the financial struggles and manipulations behind the scenes in ECW. Paul Heyman significantly influenced the wrestling world, but according to Sonny, that influence came at a steep personal and financial cost, greatly affecting her and Candido’s lives and careers.
Fan Take: This story is a stark reminder of the complex and sometimes harsh realities wrestlers face behind the curtain, far beyond the in-ring drama. For WWE fans, understanding these struggles deepens the appreciation of the athletes’ dedication and the importance of transparency and fairness in wrestling management.
