The Undertaker did not want WWE to send AEW star to developmental
The Undertaker established himself as one of WWE's main locker-room leaders in the 1990s. In a recent podcast episode, the Hall of Famer recalled how he did not want the company's higher-ups to send The Big Show to developmental for more training.
The Big Show, now known by his real name Paul Wight in AEW, joined WWE in 1999 after performing in WCW as The Giant. In 2000, the seven-foot star was sent to WWE's Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) developmental system to lose weight and improve as a wrestler.
Former WWE talent Mideon appeared on the latest episode of Six Feet Under w/Mark Calaway. Addressing The Big Show's OVW stint, The Undertaker said he tried to help the current AEW personality and wanted him to stay on the main roster:
"Not because of me," he said in response to Mideon saying The Big Show went to OVW. "I tried to keep him from being sent anywhere. If he'd have seen what I saw in himself [he would not have gone to OVW]." [4:55 – 5:02]
The Big Show worked with wrestlers, including Brock Lesnar and Mark Henry, in OVW. He returned to the main roster five months later as an entrant in the 2001 Royal Rumble Match.
Mideon on The Big Show and The Undertaker's interactions
In the 1990s, Mideon was part of The Undertaker's Bone Street Krew (BSK) backstage group of friends. They also worked together on television as members of the villainous Ministry of Darkness faction.
Mideon joked about how his close friend often scolded The Big Show behind the scenes if he did not do something right in the ring:
"There's nothing funnier than seeing someone that size kowtow to this guy. There was that time right after the Ministry, he pulled Show in with him. He didn't get the dad looks, but he got the disappointed [look]." [4:34 – 4:51]
The Big Show went on to work for WWE for more than two decades before joining AEW in 2021. The 52-year-old won several titles in WWE, including the WWE Championship twice and the World Heavyweight Championship twice.
Do you think The Big Show needed more training in OVW? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
Please credit Six Feet Under w/Mark Calaway and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.