One of the biggest news in pro wrestling’s recent memory was Paul Wight signing with AEW. He had been in the WWE for a little over 20 years and was believed to have stayed with them until he retires from pro wrestling. Immediately following this past Sunday night’s Revolution PPV, Paul Wight took part in a media call, where he revealed the conversation he had with WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon about his AEW signing.
This is what Paul Wight said:
“Here’s the thing, Vince actually called me the day it was announced that I had signed with AEW.” “He wished me a lot of luck. He agreed that I am going to be a fantastic asset to AEW, thanked me for all the years I had worked in WWE. There’s no animosity, there’s no anger, there’s no dirt so to speak. This just came down to, you know, contract negotiations and opportunities.”
Paul Wight then talked about after being in WWE for over 20 years and after doing everything there is to do, he needed a fresh start and this was his opportunity to do that.
This is what Paul Wight said:
“Let’s face it, over 20 years in WWE, I have done everything there is to do in WWE.” “I needed a fresh start, and for me, I think Vince understands that and understand me as a talent, and this was that opportunity for me to do that. When you follow the rules, like, I couldn’t reach out to AEW or Tony Khan when I was under contract, and I didn’t. I came to terms of a mutual dissolution of services and I left WWE. There’s no anger in it. I needed the freedom to pursue different opportunities. When that contract came to an end, that was the thing where I took a big leap of faith, and hoped that my reputation in the industry and the work that I’ve done would earn me a meeting with Tony Khan. He would understand that I would be an asset to AEW.”
Paul Wight then talked about when his WWE contract had expired he drove up to Jacksonville and he had a sit-down interview with AEW owner Tony Khan on wrestling and psychology and what he wanted to do in AEW.
This is what Paul Wight said:
“And when my contract expired, which is really great, I actually got a chance to drive up to Jacksonville, and Tony and I had a meeting at like 10 o’clock at night in his office.” “We talked about wrestling and psychology, and what I wanted to do in AEW, and one of the big passions that I’ve had for a long time is getting to color commentate. Trying to bring my experiences from the ring like a great Gorilla Monsoon or Jesse Ventura were able to bring to commentary to help get the talent in the ring over more, and help tell their stories, I was looking forward to that opportunity.”
Paul Wight then talked about still have the desire to compete in an AEW ring down the line.
This is what Paul Wight said:
“And also the opportunity to compete with some fresh talents.” “People that I haven’t had angles with. Some people that I can also help become better. And also, a new environment, a new place to work helps reinvigorate yourself, you know? Believe me, leaving WWE was scary, because I had so much tenure there and so much experience and had basically paid every due I needed to pay there in WWE. To leave that stock, and basically put a lot of faith in yourself and say if you’re really passionate about this and really want to do this, you need to put your big boy pants on and see if it works out.”
You can check out Paul Wight’s comments in the video below:
