Paul Wight on Taking The Perfect Plex: ‘Those Were Unique Times’

“That was my sales pitch to all the top guys–I’d tell them I was great at taking finishes.”

Pro wrestling is continually evolving.

Yet it seems inconceivable that there will ever, ever, be another big man quite like Paul Wight.

Courtesy AEW

Wight’s career was overflowing with moments you had to see to believe. Especially in the early years, when the seven-footer was wrestling as The Giant against a roster full of stars in WCW, Wight was an athletic marvel unlike any other.

Dropkicks, missile dropkicks, the occasional sunset flip, and even kip-ups were all part of his outrageous arsenal. Though it was frowned upon backstage–a giant is repeatedly told to work like a giant, especially when you are The Giant–Wight relished showing off his powerful agility, particularly when it helped his opponents shine.

“That was my sales pitch to all the top guys: I’d tell them I was great at taking finishes,” said Wight. “I took Curt Hennig’s Perfect Plex. In WWE, I could take Angle Slams, I could take F5s.

“Those were unique times. My athletic ability kept me around in the beginning. Early on, the toughest part for me was developing the right mindset to go along with my athletic ability.” 

Currently, Wight’s primary responsibility is AEW Together, where is a leader on AEW’s community service team.

“I’m one the founding core members of AEW Together, and I’m very proud of what we’re building,” said. “I mean this–wrestling isn’t about becoming famous. It’s about giving back.”

Courtesy AEW

The last time Wight, 52, appeared in an AEW ring was November. He was part of an eight-man street fight on Dynamite, wrestling alongside Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Chris Jericho against Konosuke Takeshita, Brian Cage, Kyle Fletcher, and Powerhouse Hobbs. A highlight of the match occurred when Hobbs slammed Wight onto the hood of a car.

“Hobbs is special,” said Wight. “There is no one like him right now.”

Perhaps it takes one to know one. In an industry full of giants, Wight stands tall as one of the most legendary big men of all-time.