AEW star was Shane McMahon's "special project" in WWE, Jim Ross recalls
Shane McMahon recently made headlines after a photograph emerged of the former WWE employee's surprise meeting with AEW President, Tony Khan. Jim Ross, an original member of the Jacksonville-based promotion's broadcast team, recalled on his podcast how McMahon was initially responsible for Paul Wight's WWE presentation.
Wight works for AEW as an ambassador and occasional on-screen talent. Before joining the company in 2021, the 52-year-old was best known for his work as The Giant in WCW and The Big Show in WWE.
Ross spoke on his Grilling JR podcast about WWE hiring Wight and Chris Jericho in 1999. Discussing Shane McMahon's backstage role around that time, the legendary commentator revealed how the former on-screen authority figure helped Wight, and also noted he was the one to come up with the name, 'The Big Show.'
"Big Show was a special project for Shane McMahon, to the point that Shane gave him his name," Ross said. "And it worked, the name fit. That was two good ones for us to get at that point in time. Two main-event level stars that had longevity. I enjoyed working with both those guys." [14:04 – 14:33]
Seven months after his WWE debut, Wight won the world title from Triple H at Survivor Series 1999. The seven-foot star also headlined WrestleMania 2000 alongside Mick Foley, The Rock, and Triple H.
Jim Ross on Paul Wight's presentation after Shane McMahon's initial help
Fans often reference that Paul Wight's, 'The Big Show' character switched between babyface and heel several times throughout his career.
Jim Ross believes that despite being a great hire, Wight was possibly overexposed to WWE audiences and should have appeared more sporadically on television, to maintain the status of an "attraction guy."
"Big Show was a great hire, but he's an attraction guy. Big Show should never have been an everyday wrestler. You don't put those Andre the Giant-type statistics and not say, 'Well, this guy's [on every show].' You don't wanna see him every night. And that's not a knock on Big Show or Andre or anybody else, but they're better kept special when they're an attraction person," said Ross. [12:43 – 13:10]
One of Wight's early WWE feuds came against his behind-the-scenes supporter, Shane McMahon. McMahon ultimately won the rivalry by defeating the former WCW star at Judgment Day 2000 and Backlash 2001.
What are your thoughts on how Paul Wight was booked as The Big Show in WWE? Hit the Discuss button and let us know.
Please credit Grilling JR and embed the YouTube video with an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription, if you use Ross' quotes from this article.