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By Andrew Ravens
Contributing Sports Writer
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Paul Wight, formerly known as The Big Show in WWE, has provided a significant update regarding his future in the wrestling ring, confirming that he has no intention of retiring just yet. Wight, who joined AEW in 2021 as an announcer for the "AEW Dark: Elevation" YouTube show, has largely worked in a backstage capacity recently and has not competed in an official match since the Jericho Cruise in early 2024.
Despite his absence from the ring due to health reasons, the wrestling giant made it clear during an interview with Sam Roberts that he is not ready to walk away.
"The last thing I'm gonna do is go out in the ring and have people go, ‘Aw, poor Paul. They should just kill him like Old Yeller’ or something. If I'm not out there humping and bumping and getting after it and slapping people's souls out of their chests and carry that presence, then it's time to hang up the boots. I'm not ready to hang up the boots yet," Wight said.
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Wight revealed that his return to action has been hindered by a recent medical procedure. He disclosed that he underwent a "small back surgery" a couple of months ago, which has temporarily stalled his physical comeback. However, he remains optimistic about his recovery, citing the strong medical team he has assembled in South Florida.
"I’m working with the best people I can work with in South Florida. I got a lot of great people on the team. I've got great medical support. Tony Kahn's been extremely supportive. So, we're just plugging away," Wight said.
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Before joining AEW, Wight built a Hall of Fame-worthy career in WCW and WWE, where he became a multiple-time world champion and held the Intercontinental, United States, and Tag Team Championships.
His final appearance as a wrestler in a WWE ring occurred in July 2020 against Randy Orton at the WWE Performance Center during the pandemic era. In AEW, his most recent televised appearance was as an announcer on a pay-per-view pre-show, calling a match between QT Marshall and Big Boom AJ.
While Wight continues his rehabilitation, AEW is preparing for its final pay-per-view event of the year, "Worlds End". The event is scheduled to take place on December 27 at the Now Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and will feature the conclusion of the Continental Classic tournament. As the company moves toward 2026, it remains to be seen if Wight will be cleared in time to participate in the promotion's expanding schedule.
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