Paul Wight Had Knee Injury Going Into Recent AEW Dynamite Street Fight
Highlights
- Former "Big Show" Paul Wight returned to AEW Dynamite after 18 months out of the ring due to injuries and surgeries.
- Wight competed in a match, showing off his strengths and taking some painful bumps, despite limitations from his injured knee.
- Chris Jericho praised Wight's performance and suggested it may be time for him to retire due to age and injuries.
On AEW Dynamite a few weeks ago, the former "Big Show" Paul Wight made his return to the company after 18 months out of the ring. The 51-year-old multi-time world champion hadn't wrestled much since debuting in Tony Khan's promotion due to injury, including to his knees. He's been on the shelf as he healed from surgeries, while spending most of his time as a commentator. When his former tag team partner in WWE, Chris Jericho, announced that Paul Wight would be the third man in his team with Kenny Omega against the Don Callis family, Wight appeared on stage during the reveal, but fans were worried by what they saw. The giant was wearing a knee brace, and he looked like he could barely move as his legs and hips were cocked at odd angles.
Still, on the November 15 Dynamite, Paul Wight competed, and was able to move around, throwing wrestlers off the stage, and taking a big bump backstage when Powerhouse Hobbs slammed him onto a car hood. It looked painful, but just how much pain was Wight in for the entire match?
During his Talk Is Jericho Podcast, the Demo God talked about the limitations his friend was dealing with."We wanted to focus on Show's positive -- I call him Show, you know what I mean, Paul Wight -- Paul had hurt his knee and has some issues where I think he has to get some of that cleaned out right now. The idea was to involve him, showing some of his strengths. Originally, he just wanted to be in the back, but I said, 'the people in the arena are going to want to see you.' He came out, beat some guys up, did some Paul Wight big chops and chokeslammed Fletcher through a table on the floor, which is huge. Him and Hobbs fight to the back and Hobbs ends up slamming him onto the roof of a car, which is insane, the bump that he took. It also continues to build Hobbs as a giant killer. That worked great, I think we did a great job with Show's presentation there." (h/t Fightful)
Why Paul Wight Hasn't Been Seen In AEW, Explained
Paul Wight has had a few matches in AEW since signing in 2021, however, a knee injury has kept him off of television for months.Is It Time For Paul Wight To Retire?
As The Giant in WCW, Wight made his debut in 1995, beating Hulk Hogan for the WCW Championship in his first match. After struggling with weight issues and falling down the card, Wight left WCW in 1999 for WWE. His career was reborn as The Big Show. Though it became a joke how often he turned face and heel, few wrestlers were as accomplished as Wight, as he won five world championships and eight tag team titles during his WWE run.
Wight left WWE in early 2021 as he sought to resurrect his career. Age and injuries, however, have limited what he can do in the ring. It's time for Paul Wight to retire and accept his legacy while he can still walk.
