Wrestling legend Paul Wight is officially All Elite

Signs long-term deal with All Elite Wrestling, joins commentary for new AEW Dark extension Elevation

February 24, 2021 33

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — 2021 is shaping to be a banner year for All Elite Wrestling and for the promotion’s biggest shows yet. The promotion revealed Wednesday that wrestling legend Paul Wight, formerly known as The Big Show in WWE, has signed a long-term deal with AEW.

This signing adds yet another name of universal regard to the major promotion’s roster of stars, legends and upcoming talent.

Wight’s role in AEW will be extensive, as he will be working commentary in addition to returning to action inside the squared circle.

In regards to commentary, Wight will serve as commentator for AEW’s newest YouTube program, Elevation, which is an extension of AEW Dark that airs every Tuesday night on the social media platform.

While AEW Dark airs on Tuesday nights, AEW Dark: Elevation will air Mondays at 7 p.m. Eastern on the promotion’s YouTube channel. The show will showcase the promotion’s established and rising stars, as well and top indie wrestlers within the industry, competing in pursuit of a string of wins.

The new program will also maintain continuity with Dark, as well as its primary program AEW Dynamite, which airs every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. Eastern. It will also complement all AEW pay-per-view shows and streaming events, as their overall record factors into the weekly power rankings within the company

As a result, this means AEW’s latest programming expands to three nights per week, not including special events, to solidify its position as the fastest-growing and hottest promotion in professional wrestling.

Remarks on Wight’s signing to AEW

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

“Paul Wight is one of the most recognizable and impressive professional athletes in the world,” said AEW CEO, general manager and creative head Tony Khan. “He wanted to come to AEW because he believes that we’re the best promotion in wrestling. 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.”

“Paul is one of the most experienced stars in all of wrestling. He’s eager to work with our diverse roster,” adds Khan. “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!”

How much better could things get tonight?

What was already a monumental day for AEW will be further clarified during tonight’s AEW Dynamite, which kicks off at 8 p.m. Eastern on TNT. Additional announcements surrounding the signing, the new show and the identity of Wight’s commentary partner will be topics of discussion at points of the show.

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Jake Leonard

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.