Paul Wight Bio
Paul Donald Wight II (born February 8, 1972) is an American professional wrestler and actor signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under his real name. Best known under the ring names Big Show and The Giant, he spent decades as a main event player in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/WWE) before joining AEW in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Wight was born in Aiken, South Carolina, and grew to exceptional size as a child due to acromegaly; he underwent successful surgery on his pituitary gland in the early 1990s to halt further growth. By his late teens he was already a standout basketball center and attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College, Wichita State University and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville while continuing his athletics career.
During high school in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina, Wight played basketball and briefly played football as a tight end. After college he worked a variety of jobs while pursuing professional wrestling, training at Larry Sharpe’s Monster Factory and making his in-ring debut on December 3, 1994.
Path to WWE and AEW
Wight began his professional wrestling career in regional events before signing with World Championship Wrestling in 1995, where he was introduced as The Giant. His size and athletic background immediately positioned him as a marquee attraction and led to high-profile matches and storylines through the late 1990s.
In early 1999 Wight jumped to the World Wrestling Federation, beginning a long tenure under the ring name Big Show. After more than two decades with WWE and a run that included world titles and headlining pay-per-views, he signed with All Elite Wrestling in 2021 to serve as a commentator and occasional in-ring performer under his real name, Paul Wight.
Paul Wight Career
Early Career (1994–1995)
Wight paid to train at the Monster Factory and made his first recorded match in December 1994 at a World Wrestling Association event. His early work was formative and helped him develop the basic in-ring skills that would carry him into major promotions.
Shortly after debuting, Wight produced an audition tape and began to attract attention from larger promotions, setting the stage for his signing with WCW in 1995.
WCW Breakthrough (1995–1999)
Signed by World Championship Wrestling in 1995, Wight was presented as The Giant, a towering force billed as the son of André the Giant in storyline terms. He headlined events and captured the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, establishing himself as a dominant big-man presence in the company.
During his WCW run he participated in marquee matches and major storylines that raised his profile nationally and led to his move to the World Wrestling Federation in 1999.
WWE Era (1999–2021)
Wight joined the WWF in early 1999 and became a longtime fixture of the company through multiple eras and creative directions. Performing as Big Show, he won numerous championships across singles and tag team divisions, headlined pay-per-views and was a regular presence on flagship shows and WrestleMania events.
Across his WWE tenure he held multiple world titles, tag team championships and secondary titles, and he completed the company’s Triple Crown and Grand Slam accomplishments. The WWE years featured frequent character turns between hero and villain, multiple high-profile feuds, and several lengthy title reigns and marquee moments.
All Elite Wrestling Era (2021–present)
AEW announced Wight’s signing in February 2021, initially assigning him to commentary duties for AEW Dark: Elevation while confirming he would also wrestle. He debuted on AEW Dynamite in March 2021 and registered his first AEW in-ring victory at All Out on September 5, defeating Q. T. Marshall.
In AEW Wight has balanced broadcast work with occasional matches and special appearances. His role has included both commentary alongside established broadcasters and participation in multi-man bouts and segments that use his veteran status to elevate other talent.
Driving Style and Strengths
Wight’s in-ring style is that of a classic “big man”: power-based offense, decisive finishing strikes and the ability to sell size and impact. His strengths include crowd presence, the ability to work both as a heel and a face, and experience carrying storylines and helping develop younger performers through high-profile interactions.
Notable Races and Milestones
Key milestones in Wight’s career include multiple world championship reigns, victory in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31, and a long run of tag team successes. He has headlined major pay-per-views in both WCW and WWE and later transitioned to a dual broadcast and in-ring role in AEW.
Paul Wight Career Wins
Wight’s career achievements span multiple decades and promotions. Between WCW and WWE he has held a large number of championships, including world titles and numerous tag team and secondary championships.
WWE Highlights
Wight’s WWE résumé includes multiple world championship reigns and numerous tag team title runs. He completed WWE’s Triple Crown and the original Grand Slam format, and he captured marquee achievements such as the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31.
WCW and Other Achievements
In WCW Wight won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and was positioned as a top-tier attraction. Outside of the major U.S. promotions, his early regional work and later appearances in film and television broadened his public profile beyond the wrestling ring.
Paul Wight Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Wight was raised in South Carolina where his family background included working-class roots; his father worked as a mechanic. He has often been compared to André the Giant because of similar physical traits and a shared medical history of acromegaly, though they are not related.
Personal Life
Wight married Melissa Piavis in 1997; they divorced in 2002, and they have one daughter. He married Bess Katramados in 2002. Wight has been a longtime supporter of the Special Olympics and has served in ambassador roles for the organization.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025 Paul Wight remains signed to All Elite Wrestling, performing primarily as a commentator and occasional in-ring competitor. His AEW role emphasizes veteran leadership, broadcast presence and special appearances that help spotlight other roster members.
Across the 2025 calendar year his contributions continue to balance on-screen commentary duties with selective match involvement, positioning him as a multi‑faceted performer for AEW while preserving his status as a veteran attraction and mentor to younger talent.
