The transition from active in-ring competitor to a different role is a reality every professional wrestler eventually faces. For Paul Wight, the performer long known to fans as Big Show, that realization arrived during a specific moment in 2020. While speaking with TMZ Sports, the current AEW star opened up about the exact instance he understood his tenure as a WWE in-ring talent was concluding.
A Shift in Perspective
Wight explained that the realization occurred during the COVID era of WWE programming. At the time, he was involved in a storyline with Randy Orton, which eventually led to an Unsanctioned match on WWE Raw. That bout would serve as his final appearance inside a WWE ring. According to Wight, the turning point came during a conversation with Vince McMahon.
In all the years he had known the former WWE chairman, McMahon had always addressed him as Show or Big Show. However, during that specific period, McMahon referred to him as Paul. Wight noted that when he heard his real name used in that context, he felt a shift in how he was perceived by the company. He realized that McMahon no longer viewed him primarily as an active talent, but rather as someone to be transitioned into ambassador roles.
Moving Forward in His Career
Wight admitted that hearing the change in how he was addressed caused him to feel that his opportunities to compete were effectively over. He did not take the decision personally, acknowledging that it was a business move on the part of the company. Because he was not yet ready to retire from professional wrestling, he decided to seek opportunities elsewhere.
This realization led to his departure from WWE in 2021. Shortly after, he reached out to Tony Khan, who brought him into the AEW fold. Since joining the promotion, Wight has balanced a variety of responsibilities. While he has stepped into the ring for a handful of matches, his primary focus has shifted toward working as a broadcaster, backstage interviewer, and brand ambassador for the company.
The story highlights the often quiet, professional shifts that occur behind the scenes in the wrestling industry. While Wight has left the door open for potential future matches, his career path has clearly evolved since that moment in 2020. It serves as a reminder of how quickly the landscape can change for even the most established veterans in the business.
For more on his career, you can watch the full interview on the official TMZ Sports YouTube channel
Source: Wrestling Inc
