Legend ‘Big Show’ Paul Wight leaves WWE after 22 years to join AEW leaving wrestling fans and Vince McMahon stunned

WWE legend The Big Show has dropped a huge bombshell by signing for rival promotion All Elite Wrestling.

The 7ft giant, real name Paul Wight, is one of the most famous faces in the wrestling world after an epic career inside the ring.

WWE

WWE legend Big Show has joined rival promotion AEW in a shocking move[/caption]

WWE

The Big Show has worked for Vince McMahon in WWE since 1999[/caption]

WWE

Now he is walking away from WWE to embark on a new career with AEW[/caption]

There was no doubt the former WWE champion was a future Hall of Famer with Vince McMahon’s company.

But now he has left the billionaire stunned by penning a long-term contract with AEW – following the likes of Chris Jericho, Matt Hardy and Jon Moxley in jumping ship.

Wight, 49, will both compete in the ring and commentate for the company’s new show AEW Dark: Elevation.

He said: “It’s been amazing to watch what AEW has built in just a couple of years.

“AEW Dark is an incredible platform to hone the skills of up-and-coming wrestlers, but I also love that established AEW talent can build out their personalities and showcase themselves in new ways on Dark.

“It’s no exaggeration when they say that AEW is boundless.”

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After starting out in WCW and battling the likes of Kevin Nash, Hulk Hogan and Goldberg, Wight switched to WWE in 1999 during the height of the Attitude Era and memorably fought Floyd Mayweather at WrestleMania.

At his peak, Big Show tipped the scales at a staggering 36 stone and drew many comparisons to the late, great Andre The Giant before undergoing an impressive body transformation.

But in recent years, the American – who made his wrestling debut in 1994 – has taken a step back from the ring.

Since 2016, Big Show has only made fleeting appearances in wrestling, most-recently in November 2020.

His last big match was a losing effort when challenging Drew McIntyre for the WWE Title moments after the Scot had beaten Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36.

Many expected him to continue working for WWE for the rest of his career but it is understood he failed to agree terms on a new deal to stay, and he has already removed WWE references from his social media bios.

AEW

He is the latest big name to join billionaire Tony Khan’s AEW[/caption]

AEW’s billionaire boss Tony Khan, who also owns Premier League club Fulham, is ecstatic to have the huge star on board.

He said: “Paul Wight is one of the most recognizable and impressive professional athletes in the world.

“He wanted to come to AEW because he believes that we’re the best promotion in wrestling, and we believe that he has a lot to offer us, both in the ring as a wrestler, and also outside the ring as a commentator, host and ambassador for AEW.”

Khan added: “Paul is one of the most experienced stars in all of wrestling, and he’s eager to work with our diverse roster.

“He can benefit and guide our young talent with his mentorship, and his expert commentary on AEW Dark: Elevation will educate and entertain our fans, and also educate the younger wrestlers on the roster.

“Furthermore, Paul enters AEW as a licensed wrestler, and he’s very much looking forward to studying our talent firsthand from the commentary desk in preparation for his return to the ring!”

And it was not only McMahon and the rest of WWE who were left shocked by the news as Twitter exploded: