People think Paul didn't earn his promotions, and maybe he didn't, but it might be a mistake to imagine that he was just a gopher hiding in the shadows before becoming boss. Reason I say that is because of the era in which Big Paul was made. Back in the time he was straightened out, demonstrating the ability to whack someone was probably more important. It didn't matter if you looked like a coward. If you were ordered to knock someone off, you had to knockem off. Maybe obedience was more important a virtue to possess in the old days then sheer courage and toughness.