“The Big Show” Paul Wight has left WWE and joined with AEW.
AEW announced the signing on Twitter today, stating the Wight has signed a long-term deal with the company.
Wight will serve as the commentator on AEW’s newest show, AEW Dark: Elevation, which will air on Monday night at 7 p.m. ET on AEW’s YouTube channel. The show will highlight AEW’s established and rising stars, as well as welcome some of the top independent wrestlers in the country.
The press release also states that Wight will be an in-ring competitor.
In the press release, Wight puts over what AEW has accomplished and the value of having AEW Dark to hone your skills:
“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.”
Wight has had an impressive 27 year career in professional wrestling. Starting in WCW as The Giant, he won the WCW Championship in one of his first professional matches. Wight would hold the WCW Championship twice during his tenure with the company.
After signing with WWE in February of 1999, Wight became one of the longest tenured performers in the company. For 22 years, he performed as The Big Show. Though slowed by injuries in recent years (he did not perform at all in 2019), he was still an enduring presence, having high profile matches against Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton in 2020. His last match was in July 2020. His last appearance was on the January 4 Raw Legends Night.
Wight is a 2-time WWE Champion, 2-time World Heavyweight Champion, ECW Champion, Intercontinental Champion, United States Champion, 8-time Tag Team Champion, 3-time Hardcore Champion, and won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in 2015. He’s a Triple Crown winner and the 12th Grand Slam Champion.
Here is the full press release from AEW:
Wrestling Legend Paul Wight Signs Long-Term Deal with AEW
— Wight Joins Commentary for New YouTube Extension, AEW Dark: Elevation —
February 24, 2021 – As 2021 shapes up to be the year for AEW’s biggest shows yet, today the promotion announced that wrestling legend Paul Wight signed a long-term deal, adding yet another universally regarded name to AEW’s roster of stars, legends, and upcoming talent. Wight will have an extensive role within AEW, and on top of his return to the ring, he will serve as a commentator on AEW’s newest show, AEW Dark: Elevation.
Complementing AEW Dark on Tuesdays, AEW Dark: Elevation will air on Mondays at 7 p.m. ET on AEW’s YouTube channel, and will showcase AEW’s established and rising stars, as well as the top independent wrestlers within the industry, competing against each other in the ring in pursuit of wins. AEW Dark: Elevation 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.
With new wrestling programming now available three nights per week, AEW continues to solidify its position as the fastest growing and hottest promotion in professional wrestling.
“It’s been amazing to watch what AEW has built in just a couple of years,” said Paul Wight. “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.”
“Paul Wight is one of the most recognizable and impressive professional athletes in the world,” said Tony Khan, CEO, GM and Head of Creative of AEW. “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,” added Khan. “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!”
Already a monumental day for AEW, be sure to tune in to AEW DYNAMITE tonight on TNT at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT for additional announcements surrounding Wight’s signing, the new AEW Dark: Elevation show, and the identity of Wight’s commentary partner.
Welcome to the team…@PaulWight is #AllElite
For the complete release click here https://t.co/Cru5OrCOdk
Watch #AEWDynamite TONIGHT at 8pm on @tntdrama pic.twitter.com/jYT2ltyZwv
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 24, 2021