Backstage Update On Why Paul Wight Signed With AEW
Just how did Paul Wight's AEW signing come to be, and why did the Big Show depart WWE?
With the wrestling world currently in a state of shock at Paul ‘Big Show’ Wight having been announced as the latest person to become All Elite, there’s now an update on just how Wight’s AEW signing came about.
As per PWInsider, the six-time World Champion’s WWE contract expired in January. Wight and WWE officials had discussions to extend Show’s WWE tenure, but both parties reportedly couldn’t come to agreeable terms on the financials of this new deal.
Having had a shot at Drew McIntyre’s WWE Championship on the post-WrestleMania 36 episode of WWE Raw, the Big Show went on to become a semi-regular presence on WWE TV throughout 2020 – appearing as part of McIntyre’s rivalry with Randy Orton, then being one of the names present at November’s Survivor Series PPV to give the Undertaker a send-off.
Wight most recently appeared for WWE on the 4 January ‘Legends Night’ edition of Raw, with the World’s Largest Athlete having been with Vince McMahon’s sports entertainment juggernaut for 22 years; his debut for the then-WWF coming at February ‘99’s St Valentine’s Day Massacre PPV.
For those who missed the earlier story – full details of which can be found here – Tony Khan today announced that Paul Wight has signed a multi-year deal with AEW to serve as a commentator on the company’s upcoming new AEW Dark: Elevation show, while the veteran will also be used as an in-ring talent.