Paul Wight gives update on AEW future
Paul Wight is working to get in better shape so he can return to the AEW ring and have some more fun before retirement.
Appearing on a new episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the former Big Show said he feels like he’s behind the eight ball because of all the surgeries he’s had. Since 2018-2019, there’s been an operation almost every year — and all of those came with rehab and recovery processes that Wight had to go through. But he’s doing well now and hopes an AEW in-ring return is in his future.
“I’m feeling real good. I think my main thing now is, I understand there’s a short window left. And listen, I’m not in any way, shape or form delusional that I’m going to go out and compete for championships and pull the wagon. Those days are done,” Wight said. “And you have to [understand] reality. And also in fairness to the younger talent that’s digging and striving now, they don’t need to see my ass every week, taking up TV time and ring time.
“There’s nothing I can do that’s going to make my career any bigger or better. All I can do is enjoy some of the last years that I have under contract with AEW, and hopefully have some fun with some of the younger talent, and teach them some of the lessons that have been passed down to me. And just have a little bit of fun. I’m in a really good spot. I’ve got a good boss that believes in me, supports me, and gives me an opportunity to be a part of the business I love.”
To make that in-ring return a reality, Wight knows he has to be in good enough physical shape that he’s enhancing the product rather than taking away from it. He has already lost a significant amount of weight and wants to lose 36 more pounds.
“I think for me to get back in the ring and compete, I’m going to have to be a certain level,” Wight said. “I’ll never be what I was. I’ve got two fake knees and two hips. The proprioception is different. The connection between your joints is different. You feel different as an athlete. So I have to accept — what am I now? And does that enhance the product that I’m doing? Sure, I’m smart enough and old enough. There are certain things that I can do that will still give a little kickback to nostalgia, will still look like a big dangerous giant that is my character, and teach. But at the same time, if it looks like, ‘Oh, put a bullet in,’ well, I’m not going to do that. So that’s what all this hard work now is. Okay, what’s the one thing that I can really control? That’s conditioning and weight. I don’t need to be 500 pounds anymore. I need to be about 350. I’m 386 right now.”
Wight admits that he did not treat his body well when he was younger, partaking in bad habits like eating poorly and smoking. At 54, he has already lived a longer life than he expected to. He is eight years older than Andre the Giant was when he died. The work Wight is doing in the gym is so he can live as long as possible.
November 2023 was the last time Wight competed in an AEW ring. If he does get the chance to return, having fun will be the focus, not writing a storybook ending for his career.
“I know there’s a big current thing where everybody wants to write their story, which I’m so sick of hearing. Not everybody gets a story,” Wight said. “I may not get a story. I may not get a retirement match. I’m very real about this of — I have to do certain things and hold myself accountable to get to a position so that I can compete for fun. For no other reason other than I want to have fun in the ring.”
Wight has also contributed to AEW in roles like commentary and community outreach. Whenever his time in the ring is over, Wight sees himself as someone who is better suited to mentoring young talent rather than actually training them.
“Unless there’s a bunch of giants around that need coaching. Listen, there are great talents that are great at coaching,” Wight said. “I don’t see myself as a trainer. To me, Billy Gunn is a great trainer. He understands the mechanics and is really good at teaching. He’s amazing at teaching.
“I’m more like grandpa. I tell some good stories, make you laugh, and the hazards of don’t do this and don’t do that.”
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.