Originally published on ProWrestlingSheet.

Tonight's EVOLVE special which emanated from the ECW Arena in Philadelphia featured a surprise appearance from Paul Heyman. 

The impromptu appearance caused the crowd to go nuts during EVOLVE's first WWE Network special and Raw's new Executive Director clearly got emotional.

Paul mentioned during a brief promo that he normally turns down invites to the ECW Arena for wrestling shows ... but he asked to be at this show.  

Austin Theory and JD Drake then made their entrances, and Heyman did the pre-match introduction for their title vs. title match.

For those unaware, EVOLVE founder Gabe Sapolosky was mentored by Paul Heyman.

Watch part of the surprise appearance below.