Tag: paul wight

Paul Wight reportedly re-signs with AEW

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Paul Wight has now reportedly re-signed a new contract with AEW.

Wight, currently a backstage presence in AEW, has now decided to extend his stay with the promotion, as per a report from Fightful Select. According to sources close to Fightful Select, Wight’s contract with the company was set to expire earlier this year. However, it is now believed that he agreed to a new deal to stay with AEW. Although Fightful has not yet learned the contract length, it is believed he is firmly under contract.

Wight had previously expressed his interest in staying with AEW in his final few years. Despite not having retired completely, Paul last wrestled in 2024 and is currently undergoing a weight loss transformation.

The 54-year-old joined AEW in 2021 and is now reportedly set to stay with the promotion for the next few years at least.

Paul Wight talks dream AEW opponent

Ahead of his rumored in-ring return, Paul Wight recently opened up and discussed his dream opponent in All Elite Wrestling.

“So, when I look at our AEW roster, even though he’s not a younger cat, he’s still somebody that I’ve had respect for a long time – Kenny Omega. I think Kenny is one I would think ‘man, I would love to either tag with Kenny or to compete against Kenny’. I would love to have a great heel run and work Darby. I mean, that would be ridiculous. Cause I could sling Darby’s guts all over the place. Even the old school one where I slammed Rey (Mysterio) into the ring post when he was tied to the stretcher. I can only imagine the carnage I could do with Darby.”

Paul Wight reflects on acromegaly diagnosis and being told wouldn’t live past 45

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Paul Wight discussed his acromegaly diagnosis and surgery that saved his life.

In an interview with High Performance, Wight talked about his visit to the Mayo Clinic when he was at University, and the doctor informing him about the acromegaly diagnosis.

“I was 19. I went my whole life, I thought I was just gifted because I had incredible endurance. I ate whatever I wanted. I could run all day, and strong and all that. Then, I went to Wichita State, and the doctor there had worked at the Mayo Clinic and was familiar with (it). He looked at my hands, and there’s different things. Like the roof of my mouth is very high, jawline, sinuses, and stuff like that.”

“He says, ‘I think you have acromegaly.’ I’m like, ‘What?’ Then, within a week, I was at the Mayo Clinic, and they’re telling me they got to do this pituitary surgery. What, I had a tumor? This is why I’m this way? I would have been big anyway. I would have been probably 6’7″, 6’8″, anyway, because my family’s big so I didn’t, I got the benefits of it, but I didn’t have a lot of the trauma that a lot of people that get acromegaly go through because they weren’t made to be bigger people. So they really got the bad end of the deal for the bone growth and other problems.” 

He further highlighted that the doctors warned him of life expectancy until the age of 45 and advised him to undergo surgery. 

“That was just a figure that I was told because I almost didn’t get the surgery. They were telling me, ‘Well, if you don’t get this surgery, you’ll probably be dead by the time you’re 45.’ Because this will shut down, this will happen. I remember thinking like, ‘45’s a long time away. I don’t know.’ I mean, you know, I’m going to start my sophomore season at Wichita State. I don’t know. Maybe I should just, you know, not get the surgery. And I remember my sister was very adamant at the time. No, you’re getting the surgery.”

Wight was associated with WWE for a little more than two decades with multiple runs in the company. He signed with AEW in 2021 where he was a commentator for Dark. Wight has also been working on his physique transformation in his time away, and is already hopeful of an in-ring return soon. 

Paul Wight reveals AEW dream opponents ahead of anticipated in-ring return

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Paul Wight discussed the array of wrestling talent today and reveals his AEW dream opponents. 

In an interview on Under The Mat With Simon Miller, Wight talked about Will Ospreay’s work ethic and his keen understanding of the industry. 

“Super positive. Super hard work ethic. Gets the business, the industry, incredible love for wrestling and for going out there and giving everything for the fans.”

Wight talked about a few of the notable wrestlers he worked with throughout his career, and further elaborated on the extensive diversity of talents in wrestling today. 

“I’ve worked with some of the greatest talents that have ever set foot in this business or been around them from legends from the 70s and 80s like Flair and Hogan and Savage and Arn Anderson, Terry Taylor. I got to sit, talk with Harley Race. I mean, there were so many amazing talents. Brett Hart, Kevin, Scott. You look at today’s talent that’s out there.”

“Overall, there’s never been, in my opinion, an influx of such incredible talent in men’s and women’s wrestling. The talent is unreal. Sure, there’s a different business. There’s different ways of psychology. There’s different match approaches, but there’s a lot of incredibly athletic talent,  diversified talents that have personalities that’s just when you think it’s all been done, there’s something new that comes along.”  

Wight specifically talked about Kenny Omega and Darby Allin as dream opponents in AEW. 

“So, when I look at our AEW roster, even though he’s not a younger cat, he’s still somebody that I’ve had respect for a long time – Kenny Omega. I think Kenny is one I would think ‘man, I would love to either tag with Kenny or to compete against Kenny’. I would love to have a great heel run and work Darby. I mean, that would be ridiculous. Cause I could sling Darby’s guts all over the place. Even the old school one where I slammed Rey (Mysterio) into the ring post when he was tied to the stretcher. I can only imagine the carnage I could do with Darby.”

Last month, Wight shared an update on his physique transformation and looks forward to an in-ring return in AEW before ultimate retirement. 

AEW’s Paul Wight reveals inspiring weight loss transformation, shares new goal

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Standing tall at 7ft, WWE and AEW veteran Paul Wight recently revealed undergoing an inspirational weight loss journey.

Speaking to TalkSport before AEW’s All In PPV at Wembley Stadium in London on August 30, 2026, Wight opened up about his physical transformation and weight loss.

Once billed as “standing seven feet tall and weighing more than 400 pounds”, Wight now revealed his new weight. “I’m only 383 (pounds) now, I’ve lost some weight. We’re doing good. I want to get down to about 350.”

Addressing his transformation, the 54-year-old further opened up about his new goal of becoming a Calvin Klein underwear model. “I want to become a Calvin Klein underwear model, so I’m working on it. Their big and tall section. It’s kind of a big and tall and short, if you put it all together.”

Earlier this year, in February 2026, Wight revealed reaching 293lbs, and now, within a span of two months, the veteran has lost around 20lbs

Last wrestling back in 2024 at the Jericho Cruise, Wight often appears on AEW television as a part of the commentary team and recently opened up about his future while speaking to Chris Van Vliet.

Daily Update: Alberto El Patron, Linda McMahon, Paul Wight

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • The most detailed update on the Janel Grant case, with her new filing and claims, a look at those claims in detail, what is net for the case, the key thing regarding the future of the case and why it really comes down to the judges ruling, and timeline for all of this. We cover new cais and the arguments for and against binding arbitration or continuing the civil case.
  • Update on WrestleMania, the card as of this point, reasons for some of the new matches, when matches changed and why, as well as the business for the show, how far behind are ticket sales and interest in the show as compared to the same period last year.
  • Chris Jericho returns to AEW and as much detail as we have on the decision
  • AEW Dynasty update and updated major event ticket sales
  • The death of J Robinson, a college coaching legend and his connections with a number of key figures in pro wrestling, including the recruiting of Brock Lesnar by WWE and the politics behind why WWE waited an extra year to offer him a deal.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for all the pro wrestling shows this past week, including competition, comparisons with one year back, Raw vs. Dynamite and how close it has become, and more.
  • It’s CMLL tournament of champions month starting this week
  • Anniversary shows at Arena Mexico and Arena Coliseo this week including a look back at the first show in each building
  • A look at the four title match show at ArenaMexico on Tuesday
  • A super hot match to watch on AAA
  • A look at Stardom’s biggest stipulation of the year and Yokohama Arena show
  • Current Tiger Mask retires
  • Best of the Super Junior tournament update
  • Largest crowd of the year for women’s wrestling in Japan
  • Hodge trophy winner looked at
  • Maple Leaf Wrestling announces new TV deal and a look at the weekend shows
  • Stabbing at a pro wrestling show
  • Very interesting political match will take place with TNA champion vs. AEW star
  • American gold medalist challenges UFC undefeated champion
  • Rebellion notes
  • Lots of injury updates and business notes
  • Wrestler complaining about AEW not booking them enough
  • Kenny Omega talks his and Kota Ibushi’s health
  • Brody King talks the chants
  • Tony Khan and his enemies
  • Kayla Harrison on why her next bantamweight fight will be her last and why she should never have fought at bantamweight to begin with
  • Crazy Dana White story
  • Will Mayweather-Pacquiao II take place and what are the issues
  • Fedor Emelianenko wants to return to combat next year
  • Nick Khan acquires TKO stock
  • Bret & Ross Hart talk Badnews Allen in WWE Hall of Fame

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

Tony D'Angelo WWE NXT

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Tony D’Angelo, Joe Hendry, Ricky Saints & Ethan Page vs. DarkState eight-man tag match from NXT last night.
  • In an interview with former WWE wrestler Tyrus, Linda McMahon was asked if she’s considered running for president:
    • Oh my gosh, no. No, no, no, no. That is definitely not in my future. Definitely not. I’m very, very happy with what I’m doing. I’m very happy to be, you know – think about this – for me, a little girl from New Bern, North Carolina. I just grew up in a very humble, middle-class family, an only child, great parents. Just one of those wonderful childhood kind of things. But never dreamed, ever that I would be in the president’s cabinet. Let alone the opportunity to serve twice.
  • Liv Morgan shared a new picture showing that the swelling has gone down on her forehead bump after the injury she suffered on Raw. She still has bruising on her forehead and nose.
  • Sid Vicious’ son Gunnar Eudy noted on Facebook that, because his father is a Legacy inductee, his family will not be doing an acceptance speech at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony:
    • There will be no acceptance speech because they are putting him in the legacy wing. We will just be in the crowd
    • We would have been honored to give a speech but at the same time I feel like his fans rather see a video package of him than two people talking that they don’t know
  • Charlotte Flair was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.
  • Complex’s Graps podcast interviewed Kit Wilson.

Other Wrestling

  • The Crash Lucha Libre issued a statement announcing that Alberto El Patron has been suspended from the promotion following his domestic violence arrest.
  • AEW’s social media highlighted Will Ospreay’s NJPW return at Sakura Genesis and post-show comments where Ospreay told United Empire that he could use some backup in his feud with Jon Moxley and the Death Riders.
  • Ahead of her return on tonight’s Dynamite, Queen Aminata was interviewed by Ian Riccaboni.
  • Aminata, who has been out of action for five months due to a neck injury, tweeted about tonight’s matchup against TBS Champion Willow Nightingale: “No pressure, no noise… just me proving to myself that I’m still that woman.”
  • Megan Bayne & Lena Kross joined Renee Paquette on a new episode of AEW Close Up.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Paul Wight (Big Show) addressed his many face/heel turns and said he doesn’t think a giant like himself ever had to be World Champion:
    • Arn Anderson told me, ‘The dumbest thing you ever did is learn how to work.’ So any minute, I was able to be a good opponent for what we were doing. I knew that me, personally, I don’t think I should ever have been champion. You don’t need a giant to be a champion. You need a giant to be an obstacle for the upcoming champion. You need somebody, something, a wall, a mountain, something that has to be overcome so that the next talent can be on its way. There’s a damn good living to be made in that position. I think the last time I got the title was just because I had been five or six years in title matches all the time, hadn’t won the damn thing. ‘Well, he’s been in here while, we might want to put it on him, so get some validity out of it.’ But I was okay with that. I enjoyed that, because I look back at my career now, I got to help create some big, big stars. I was working early with Roman and working early with Cody. There are a lot of talents that I had a great [time with], Kofi and Woods and Cesaro. Big moment, Cesaro at WrestleMania, those are all good moments for me. I always understood that I’m not, and this is no way am I putting myself down. I’m not a leading man, I’m not Rock, I’m not Stone Cold. I’m not John Cena. I’m not the leading guy, I’m the funny sidekick, or I’m Thanos, the villain. That’s where I fall in, and that’s okay.
  • After posting several teasers that appear to be for new event dates, TNA indicated that an announcement is coming tomorrow at noon Eastern time.
  • TNA also shared a Rebellion-related teaser on social media.
  • NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi has joined the Japanese news and information show “News Okaeri” as a regular commentator, appearing every other Friday.
  • Ultimo Guerrero has been announced for MLW’s Fantastica Mania USA in Charleston, South Carolina this Sunday (April 12).
  • Elayna Black was a guest on the Battleground Podcast.
  • Las Vegas-based CYInterview spoke with Rob Van Dam ahead of WrestleMania week.

Paul Wight gives update on AEW future

Posted on by Joseph Currier

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.”

Paul Wight shows off weight loss, only 33 pounds away from goal

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Paul Wight has lost a significant amount of weight and is close to reaching his goal in his fitness journey.

On social media today, Wight shared a new picture showcasing his physique. He now weighs 393 pounds and is approaching his goal of weighing 360 pounds. At his heaviest, the former Big Show was billed as weighing around 500 pounds.

“Currently 393lbs. Shooting for 360lbs,” Wight wrote. “I truly appreciate the years of support. . #fitnessjourney #gymselfie”

The 53-year-old Wight has been under contract with AEW since 2021, serving in a variety of roles including wrestling, commentary, and community outreach. He recently made an appearance on commentary for the January 24 episode of Collision.

It’s been more than two years since Wight last competed in the ring, but the former WWE and WCW World Champion is not ready to retire yet. He’s just waiting until he’s physically capable of performing at a level he can be proud of. Wight has undergone a number of surgeries in recent years. The most recent was a minor back operation.

“I don’t plan on going anywhere. I like being in AEW, so it’s just getting my sh*t together and getting ready, and also bringing a good product out,” Wight said on Not Sam Live toward the end of 2025. “The last thing I’m going to do is go out in the ring and have people go, ‘Aww, poor Paul. They should just kill him like Old Yeller’ or something. We’re not going to have that. If I’m not out there humping and bumping and getting after it and slapping people’s souls out of their chests and carry that presence, then it’s time to hang up the boots. So I’m not ready to hang up the boots yet.”

Paul Wight makes TV commentary return on AEW Collision

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Paul Wight joined the AEW Collision commentary team for Saturday’s episode in his first TV appearance on AEW in roughly 18 months.

As the broadcast began, Wight joined Excalibur and Tony Schiavone. Wight has previous commentary experience on AEW Dark Elevation and has also made a handful of in-ring appearances over the years.

His last commentary appearance dates back to the AEW Full Gear Tailgate Brawl show. The Collision appearance marked his first non-PPV pre-show commentary appearance since his work at AEW Battle Of The Belts XI in July 2024.

A WWE/WCW star and former World Heavyweight Champion, Wight last wrestled for AEW in November 2023 against Brian Cage & The Don Callis Family (Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher & Powerhouse Hobbs) while he teamed up with Kota Ibushi and The Golden Jets (Chris Jericho & Kenny Omega).

Despite having undergone a recent back surgery, Wight is not yet ready to hang up his boots.

Paul Wight thinks former WWE star could help AEW’s product

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Paul Wight thinks a former WWE star could be what AEW needs.

Speaking to Notsam Wrestling Live (h/t: WrestlePurists) Wight said he feels Bishop Dyer, aka the former Baron Corbin, could be someone that AEW needs.

“l’ve told everyone this — if you look at Tom [Pestock]’s footwork, he’s got some of the best footwork of any big man in wrestling,” Wight explained. “If we give Tom the right character, he could be such a great heel. He’d be such a great heel for us. He knows how to work. He can talk on the microphone. When I look at people that can help AEW, Tom is a guy that I think could help our product. I really do.”

Dyer had a long tenure in WWE, where he held the United States Championship and is a former King of the Ring and Money in the Bank winner. When Triple H took over WWE creative in 2022, Corbin was briefly associated with JBL before eventually going down to NXT. In the 2024 WWE Draft, he was called up to SmackDown and remained there until WWE chose not to renew his contract in November of that year.

In the year since his release, Dyer has continued to wrestle, making appearances for MLW.

Paul Wight on retirement: ‘I’m not ready to hang up the boots yet’

Posted on by Ian Carey

Paul Wight says he’s still got one run left in him.

It’s been over two years since Wight wrestled a match for AEW. During a recent appearance on Not Sam Live, he told host Sam Roberts that he recently had back surgery but is not ready to hang up the boots just yet.

Big Show was quoted as saying (transcriptions via Wrestlepurists):

“It’s just a week-by-week thing. I had a small back surgery done a couple months ago… I’ve had like a major surgery every frickin’ year for about the past five, whether it’s a knee surgery or a hip surgery… I’m working with the best people I can work with in South Florida. I got a lot of great people on the team. I’ve got great support medically. Tony Khan’s been extremely supportive. So, we’re just plugging away.”

“I don’t plan on going anywhere. I like being in AEW, so it’s just getting my sh*t together and getting ready, and also bringing a good product out. The last thing I’m gonna do is go out in the ring and have people go, ‘Aw, poor Paul. They should just kill him like Old Yeller’ or something. We’re not gonna have that. If I’m not out there humping and bumping and getting after it and slapping people’s souls out of their chests and carry that presence, then it’s time to hang up the boots. So I’m not ready to hang up the boots yet.”

Wight has said that he would like to have a run as his Captain Insano character in AEW. He filed to trademark the term with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in January. His last appearance with AEW took place at the Full Gear Tailgate Brawl, where he got involved in the match between Roppongi Vice and QT Marshall & Big Boom AJ while on commentary. Wight’s last match for AEW was a street fight on the November 15, 2023 Dynamite, where he teamed with Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, and Kota Ibushi in a win over The Don Callis Family.

Paul Wight makes appearance during AEW Full Gear Tailgate Brawl

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Paul Wight has returned to AEW!

Surprising fans at the AEW Full Gear Tailgate Brawl, Paul Wight made a shocking return to the Jacksonville-based promotion. On November 22nd at the FPrudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Wight appeared ahead of the second match during the Full Gear Tailgate Brawl.

During the Boom & Doom vs. RPG Vice, Wight appeared and joined the commentary team. However, his role wasn’t limited to announcing duties. Toward the closing moments of the match, Wight punched Trent Beretta after he grabbed Big Justice, all while the referee was distracted. This crucial moment allowed Boom & Doom to secure the victory.

Paul Wight was previously known as ‘Big Show’ in WWE which he departed in 2021, before signing with AEW in the same year. Wight’s last official wrestling match was against Lance Archer & The Don Callis Family at Jericho Cruise 2024.

Paul Wight speaks highly of his AEW transition

Following a lenghty run with WWE for over two decades, Paul Wight joined All Elite Wrestling in 2021. Last year, appearing on The YES Network, Wight opened up and addressed his transition to AEW.

“It’s been fantastic. I was blessed to work for a big company for a lot of years all over the world. Now, at my stage of the game, to find myself useful in a company that allows me to spread a lot of my knowledge to the younger talent.” He added, “get a chance to get on the microphone every now and then and enhance them, help their characters along, and then get in the ring and mix it up. It’s probably the single greatest thing that could ever happen to me. I’m blessed, grateful and thankful for the fans who still like to see me do my thing.”

Wight made his AEW debut at All Out 2021 in a win over QT Marshall and currently holds a 6-0 record in the promotion.

AEW files ‘Captain Insano’ trademark ahead of potential Paul Wight return

Posted on by Ian Carey

Paul Wight’s character from The Waterboy could be headed to AEW soon. 

According to documents on the US Patent & Trademark Office website, AEW filed to trademark “Captain Insano” for wrestling purposes on Friday, January 24, 2025. It’s the second trademark on the term AEW has sought. In 2021, AEW also filed to trademark the name, but for different purposes. 

In 2021, AEW filed for Captain Insano to trademark the term for video games and digital media. The purposes of the filing were listed as: “Video game cartridges and discs featuring wrestling games; Digital media, namely, pre-recorded DVDs, downloadable audio and video recordings, and CDs featuring and promoting wrestling; Downloadable video game software featuring wrestling games; Recorded video game software featuring wrestling games.”

Yesterday’s filing was to trademark the term for “performances by a professional wrestler,” suggesting the most recent application was made in advance of the character possibly performing in-ring. 

“CAPTAIN INSANO identifies Paul Wight, a living individual whose consent is made of record,” reads the filing.

Wight debuted as Captain Insano in the 1998 Adam Sandler film The Waterboy. He appeared under the gimmick again recently at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards in November. In full wrestling gear, Wight appeared on stage during Bailey Zimmerman’s performance of “New to Country.”

Wight hasn’t wrestled since the Jericho Cruise in January 2024. However, during an appearance on Downunder the Ring last September, Wight said he’s hoping to get back in the ring soon following partial reconstructive knee surgery last year. He wants to portray Captain Insano on the last run of his career. 

“Captain Insano was a pretty cool gift. Tony Khan worked it out, got the intellectual property rights for me. So we’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on that. Just to be honest, a lot of it’s been my fault. Having surgeries and stuff like that. So it’s about me getting in the gym, training, getting ready [to] where I feel comfortable. Because it’s basically a one-shot run.You know, I can’t pull the trigger on this half-assed and go out and fail. When I pull the trigger on Captain Insano, it’s gotto be 100 percent we run that until the wheels fall off and then we ride off into the sunset.”

Paul Wight appears as Captain Insano at CMA Awards

Posted on by Josh Nason

The Country Music Association (CMA) Awards was a “big show” indeed Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee, as AEW’s Paul Wight made a surprise appearance.

Dressed as his Captain Insano character from the 1998 Adam Sandler movie “The Waterboy,” Wight was on stage during Bailey Zimmerman’s performance of “New to Country.”

Wight was part of the set, standing near a beer pong table. Zimmerman got on his shoulders at the end of the song as the two walked around.

It’s unknown if there’s a connection between Wight and Zimmerman and what the impetus was for having him in his Insano outfit. He has wanted to bring the character into AEW and did appear once in character in a backstage segment.

Wight, who was last in action in January as part of the Jericho Cruise, said as recently as this past September, he hopes to return to the ring “real soon” after recovering from partial knee replacement surgery. The 52-year-old has targeted February’s Grand Slam in Brisbane, Australia, as a show he would like to compete at and said his next run will be the last of his long career.

Paul Wight: Powerhouse Hobbs is amazing, one of the nicest people I’ve ever met

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Paul Wight has nothing but great things to say about his AEW co-worker Powerhouse Hobbs.

The two big men were on opposite sides of an eight-man tag team street fight on AEW Dynamite last November. During the match, there was a spot where Wight was taken out when Hobbs slammed him onto the hood of a car. Wight and Hobbs were then on opposing teams in a six-man tag match on the Chris Jericho Cruise this January.

During an interview with Downunder The Ring, the former Big Show praised Hobbs as one of the nicest and most humble people he’s ever met in pro wrestling.

“Will Hobbs is amazing. I have nothing but nice things to say about Will. One: He looks like an absolute monster. Two: He is one of the nicest, humble human beings – and I’ve met a lot of people in this business – Will Hobbs is top three most humble and nice people I’ve ever met,” Wight said.

“And when you talk to Will Hobbs and you give him advice from your perspective – because I tell talent all the time, ‘You can take in information, process it. It may work for you, it may not. But listen to it.’ You give Will Hobbs advice on something, ‘Hey man, in my opinion, this, this, and this’ – he’ll go out and try it, and he’ll change it, and he’ll make a change immediately.”

Wight said that, when he gives younger AEW talent advice, it’s usually about little character stuff.

Both Wight and Hobbs are out of action at the moment recovering from surgery. Wight had a partial knee replacement done earlier this year, while Hobbs had surgery done to repair his patellar tendon.

The 52-year-old Wight told Downunder The Ring that he’s hoping to be back in the ring soon for one last run using his Captain Insano character from the movie “The Waterboy”

Paul Wight hoping to be back in AEW ring ‘real soon’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Paul Wight is hoping to get back into the ring soon for one final run to close out his career.

It’s been eight months since the former Big Show has wrestled a match. He’s been recovering from a partial knee replacement surgery but is progressing in the gym and is not experiencing any pain. With the surgery, Wight has now had both of his knees and both of his hips replaced.

While doing media to promote next February’s AEW Grand Slam Australia event, Wight appeared on Downunder The Ring and was asked about returning to action.

“God I hope so, because Tony Khan paid me a sh*t ton of money to get in the ring and so far I haven’t done sh*t,” Wight responded.

The 52-year-old Wight said he’s hoping to be back “real soon” and wants to compete at Grand Slam Australia. The show, which will be AEW’s Australia debut, is taking place at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on February 15, 2025.

There have been plans for Wight to portray Captain Insano — his character from “The Waterboy” — in AEW. Wight told Downunder The Ring that it will be the last run of his career before he rides off into the sunset.

“Captain Insano was a pretty cool gift. Tony Khan worked it out, got the intellectual property rights for me. So we’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on that,” Wight said. “Just to be honest, a lot of it’s been my fault. Having surgeries and stuff like that. So it’s about me getting in the gym, training, getting ready [to] where I feel comfortable. Because it’s basically a one-shot run. You know, I can’t pull the trigger on this half-assed and go out and fail. When I pull the trigger on Captain Insano, it’s got to be 100 percent we run that until the wheels fall off and then we ride off into the sunset.”

Wight said that, when he is ready for this run, he wants to be able to do anything Khan asks of him, whether that’s tag matches, singles matches, or wrestling multiple times per week. He’s aiming to end his career like Sting did, working with the young talent on the AEW roster.

“That’s why I really haven’t been doing a lot of things on AEW, because being the awesome boss that Tony Khan [is] he’s giving me the time to basically get my sh*t straight and get ready for it,” Wight said. “Believe me, there’s an unbelievable amount of pressure on myself to get this done and get this in a way where the fans are appreciative of seeing me compete again. And not like an, ‘Oh, that’s sad. Shoot him, put him out of his misery.’ Like Old Yeller, take me out back and put me down. I don’t want to get put down yet. I kind of want to go out like Sting did. Have a nice little run, have some great matches, work with some of this amazing young talent we have in AEW, and then slide out.”

A six-man tag match on the Chris Jericho Cruise this January was Wight’s last match before having knee surgery. In November 2023, he teamed with Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi & Chris Jericho in an AEW Dynamite street fight against Powerhouse Hobbs, Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher & Brian Cage.

Wight signed with AEW in 2021 and has worked in a variety of roles including wrestling, commentary, and community outreach.