WWE legend The Big Show, real name Paul Wight, has signed a long-term contract with AEW that will see him have an “extensive role within AEW” including his in-ring return and commentating on AEW’s newest show – AEW Dark: Elevation.
Wight would spend most of is career in WWE, but has also previously wrestled on TNT as The Giant in WCW. Big Show’s last WWE appearance was at Legends Night, with his final “official” singles match being at WrestleMania vs Drew McIntyre, which aired on the following night’s RAW. Following this match, the Big Show competed in a Handicap Match, a Six-Man Tag Team Match, and an Unsanctioned Match with Randy Orton in 2020.
Speaking of the move, AEW CEO Tony Khan said:
“Paul Wight is one of the most recognizable and impressive professional athletes in the world. He wanted to come to AEW because he believes that we’re the best promotion in wrestling, and we believe that he has a lot to offer us, both in the ring as a wrestler, and also outside the ring as a commentator, host and ambassador for AEW.”
“Paul is one of the most experienced stars in all of wrestling, and he’s eager to work with our diverse roster. He can benefit and guide our young talent with his mentorship, and his expert commentary on AEW Dark: Elevation will educate and entertain our fans, and also educate the younger wrestlers on the roster. Furthermore, Paul enters AEW as a licensed wrestler, and he’s very much looking forward to studying our talent firsthand from the commentary desk in preparation for his return to the ring!”
Welcome to the team…@PaulWight is #AllElite
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Watch #AEWDynamite TONIGHT at 8pm on @tntdramapic.twitter.com/jYT2ltyZwv
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 24, 2021
Meanwhile, the announcement of Wight’s signing is complemented by the announcement of a new Monday night show, AEW Dark: Elevation, which will air at 7 pm. ET on AEW’s YouTube channel. An official press release says the show “will showcase AEW’s established and rising stars, as well as the top independent wrestlers within the industry” and will also maintain continuity with AEW Dynamite, AEW Dark, AEW pay-per-view shows and streaming events, with wins and losses factoring into each wrestler’s ranking in the company.
Paul Wight spoke of the move:
“It’s been amazing to watch what AEW has built in just a couple of years. AEW Dark is an incredible platform to hone the skills of up-and-coming wrestlers, but I also love that established AEW talent can build out their personalities and showcase themselves in new ways on Dark. It’s no exaggeration when they say that AEW is boundless.”
Just last month, Wight said he still had hopes of facing off against Shaquille O’Neal at WrestleMania. Shaq will make his in-ring debut against Cody Rhodes on next week’s Dynamite.
