Former WWE Star Paul Wight Joins AEW

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The wrestling war between WWE and AEW continues to heat up.

On Wednesday, AEW announced the signing of former WWE star Paul Wight aka The Big Show.

The news broke just hours before AEW Dynamite and WWE's NXT were set to air.

A legend and big name like Wight signing with AEW is a huge move, one that had the wrestling community buzzing.

He becomes the latest ex WWE star to join AEW, which has Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley, and Sting on their roster.

The seven-foot star started his wrestling career by working for another of WWE's competitors.

From 1995 to 1999, wrestled as The Giant in WCW, where he'd become a member of nWO and a two-time World Heavyweight Champion.

In February 1999, he would join WWE, and now went under the new name The Big Show.

Throughout his 22 years with the company, he'd become one of their tops stars and a Grand Slam champion. Whether he was a heel or a babyface, The Big Show decimated his opponents.

In recent years, Wight was off WWE television due to a string of injuries. 

One of his last appearances was on the January 4th, 2021 edition of Monday Night RAW, which had a Legends Night.

Wight's departure from WWE came as a shock.

Although, he didn't wrestle much in his final years, fans believed as a legend he'd stay with the company in some capacity.

However, when it came time to negotiate a new contract, he and his bosses weren't on the same page.

When they failed to reach an agreement about financial terms, Wight decided to leave.

It didn't take long for Wight to make his next move in his career. He's still going to be part of wrestling with his new job in AEW.

49-year-old Wight's role in AEW will be as commentator.

Wight will be part of the commentary table for the company's new YouTube show AEW Dark: Elevation, which will air at 7pm on Mondays starting on March 15th.

In a press release, AEW founder Tony Khan said he was happy to have Wight join the company and feels the wrestler could be a mentor to the younger talent.

Wight said he's excited about being part of the Elite and is amazed to see how much AEW is thriving as a wrestling promotion.

Although, Wight will mostly be a commentator in AEW, fans are wondering if the lovable giant will step inside the ring again.

His last wrestling match took place in July 2020 when he faced Randy Orton in a match on RAW.

Many fans believe that with Wight in AEW, they'll finally get to see the dream match between him and NBA player Shaquille O'Neal.

Back in 2016, WWE began planting the seeds for a match between Big Show and Shaq, which would take place at WrestleMania 33. However, the planned match was eventually called off.

Shaq is set to face off against Cody Rhodes in a match next week on Dynamite, but that may not be the only time the basketball player steps inside the ring.

One day, fans may finally get to see Wight and Shaq fight inside the squared circle.