Big Show Leaves WWE And Joins AEW
Big Show is no longer with WWE.
AEW announced today that Paul Wight has joined the company, signing a long-term contract.
Wight will wrestle and serve as a commentator for AEW's newest show on YouTube, AEW Dark: Elevation. Elevation will air on Mondays at 7pm ET, complimenting the weekly AEW Dark show that airs on Tuesdays at 7pm ET. Elevation will showcase AEW's established and rising talent, as well as top indie talents.
Wight said it's been amazing to watch what AEW has done in a few years since launching.
"It's been amazing to watch what AEW has built in just a couple of years," Wight said in a press release. "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."
AEW CEO, General Manager and Head of Creative Tony Khan also commented on why Wight wanted to come to AEW.
"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!"
AEW is promising more details on Wight's signing during tonight's Dynamite show on TNT.
Big Show's last WWE match came on the July 20, 2020 RAW episode, a loss to Randy Orton. He had only worked a handful of matches last year, and spent all of 2019 on the shelf with an injury. He did appear for The Undertaker's "Final Farewell" segment at the Survivor Series in 2020, and appeared at RAW Legends Night back on January 4 of this year. Show first signed with WWE back in February 1999. He leaves the company as a Grand Slam Champion – a two-time WWE Champion, a one-time ECW Champion, a two-time World Heavyweight Champion, a three-time WWE Hardcore Champion, a one-time WWE United States Champion, a one-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, and a eight-time Tag Team Champion.
Stay tuned for more. Below is the full announcement issued to us today by 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.