On February 24, 2021, it was announced that Paul Wight, formally known as The Big Show in WWE, had officially signed with All Elite Wrestling to be both a wrestler and commentator. To say the news was unexpected would be an understatement, as Wight had appeared on WWE television the prior month and was thought to be a WWE lifer. Initially, he was hired to work alongside Tony Schiavone for AEW’s YouTube series AEW Dark: Elevation. Still, it had been known he would at some point compete in the ring.
Now it appears his in-ring debut for AEW is close, as, during this week’s episode of Dynamite, he would make the save for Tony Schiavone and his son Chris when they were being assaulted by QT Marshall, Aaron Solo, and Nick Comoroto. The live crowd popped huge for Wight’s entrance which featured vocals by Joe Altier, who sang on his legendary WWE theme “Crank It Up.” Once in the ring, Wight chokeslammed Solo and then would stare at QT Marshall, who had left the ring, teasing an upcoming match between them.
Wight last wrestled in 2020 when he lost an unsanctioned match to Randy Orton on Raw. While WWE did offer him a new contract, both parties could not agree on terms. This opened the door for the former seven-time world champion to join AEW and end a twenty-plus-year association with Vince McMahon’s company. With AEW’s next pay-per-view All Out scheduled for September 5, that would seem the most likely event Wight will wrestle Marshall on. However, with AEW about to debut their new show Rampage and now needing to have matches on two A shows every week, it could take place on television to help to attract WWE fans.
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