Despite not appearing regularly on AEW television, Paul Wight wants fans to know hes still very much part of the companyand proud of it.
Wight joined AEW in 2021 and has worn many hats since then, from wrestling occasionally to serving as a color commentator on AEW Dark: Elevation with Tony Schiavone. Hes also been involved with Ring of Honor and has supported younger talent at ringside. But with his onscreen presence limited in recent months, some fans have questioned whether the former Big Show had quietly left AEW.
During a recent interview with Bill Apter of WrestleBinge, Wight set the record straight in his own words: I am still with AEW. Still very happy with AEW. Uh, very happy with Tony Khan and what hes doing.
He took the opportunity to explain why AEWs backstage environment suits him so well, especially at this point in his legendary career. Wight made it clear that AEWs creative process is very different from what wrestlers experience in more tightly controlled companies.
I think theres a lot of, um, couch bookers out there that always have the best ideas on what should be done, he said. I appreciate Tony and the way he treats his talent and the kind of liberty that Tony gives talent to discover themselves and find themselves.
Wight contrasted AEWs style with other promotions that tell wrestlers exactly how to walk, talk, and dress. For him, AEWs authenticity is what makes the company special.
Its not a cookie-cutter process in AEW. Theyre not like, This is your ring entrance. This is how you pose. This is what you wear. AEW is very grassroots, authentic. And you know, for me, at this stage of the game, I appreciate that.
While Wight hasnt wrestled in a major capacity since AEW Full Gear Zero Hour in 2023, his comments suggest hes happy playing a supporting role behind the scenes and stepping up when needed. His loyalty to the AEW brand and his respect for Tony Khan speak volumes about the environment AEW fosters.
What do you think about Paul Wight still being with AEW? Would you like to see him return to the ring, or do you think his behind-the-scenes role is where he belongs now? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
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