AEW Veteran Paul Wight Aspires to “Go Out Like Sting” in Wrestling Retirement
Veteran wrestling icon Paul Wight, previously called Big Show in WWE and now an active competitor in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has expressed his choice to retire in a manner just like his mythical peer, Sting. The 52-year-old wrestler, who has had an illustrious profession spanning nearly 3 decades, discovered at some stage in a latest interview on ‘Downunder The Ring’ that once the time comes for him to hold up his boots, he wants to do so with the identical level of recognize, admiration, and fanfare as Sting’s retirement.
Sting, a wrestling legend in his very own right, closed the curtain on his career in advance this yr on March third, 2024, at some point of AEW Revolution. His very last healthy noticed him crew up with growing star Darby Allin to guard the AEW Tag Team Championship against The Young Bucks in the front of a bought-out crowd at Greensboro Coliseum, North Carolina. It was the right send-off for a man whose profession has spanned 39 superb years, inclusive of memorable stints in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), WWE, and AEW.
Announcing his retirement well earlier, Sting gave his fans an opportunity to appreciate his presence one closing time. This farewell tour allowed him to show off his enduring capabilities, mixing it up with AEW’s younger stars and proving he nonetheless had tons to offer, even in the twilight of his profession. Fans reacted with overwhelming positivity, which has set a benchmark for the way a wrestling legend have to bow out of the spotlight—some thing Paul Wight now hopes to emulate whilst he’s taking his final steps inside the ring.
“Going Out Like Sting”: Wight’s Retirement Vision
Speaking candidly approximately his aspirations, Paul Wight expressed the significance of leaving on a high note, as Sting did, in preference to fading into obscurity or overstaying his welcome in the ring. Wight is acutely aware of the physical and emotional challenges of winding down a career in professional wrestling, and he intends to be fully prepared before taking his final bow.
“It’s about me getting in the gym, training, getting ready where I feel comfortable,” Wight said. “’Cause it’s basically a one-shot run. I can’t pull the trigger on this half-ass and go out and fail. There’s an unbelievable amount of pressure on myself to get this done and get it done in a way where the fans are appreciative of seeing me compete again and not like, ‘Oh, that’s sad. Shoot him. Put him out of his misery like Old Yeller.’ I don’t want to get put down yet.”
Wight’s words encapsulate the duality of being a wrestling legend—on one hand, the deep preference to stop on a high note, and on the other, the concern of tarnishing one’s legacy with the aid of performing below par. In trying to reflect Sting’s sleek go out, Wight hopes to have a farewell run that will allow him to perform at his fine, depart a long-lasting impact, and make the fans sense like they’ve witnessed something special.
A Passion for Passing the Torch
Much like Sting, who spent the final phase of his profession supporting elevate young stars like Darby Allin, Wight is eager to use his experience to advantage AEW’s rising expertise. He spoke enthusiastically approximately the following generation of wrestlers, praising their athleticism, innovation, and willpower to the enterprise.
“I kind of want to go out like Sting did, have a nice little run, have some great matches, work with some of this amazing young talent we have in AEW, and then slide out,” he stated.
It’s a philosophy that embodies the wrestling culture of “passing the torch,” ensuring that the commercial enterprise remains in desirable palms as soon as the veterans step aside. Wight’s willpower to AEW’s teens talent reflects his consciousness of the cycle of wrestling, where the older technology helps the more youthful stars discover their footing at the same time as retaining a connection to the past.
The Contrast: AEW President Tony Khan’s Reluctance to Return to the Ring
While Wight goals of a very last run inside the squared circle, AEW President Tony Khan seems to haven’t any such preference to return to any bodily position within the wrestling enterprise. Khan, who become attacked by way of The Elite on the April 24th edition of Dynamite, has made it clear he does now not plan on in search of revenge inside the ring.
The incident on Dynamite left Khan writhing in pain, but the AEW boss has emphasised that he prefers to live backstage, guiding the business enterprise from a business angle in preference to becoming a storyline discern. While wrestling has visible many promoters and managers step into ring, Khan’s restraint in this area demonstrates his clear vision for AEW and his role within the company.
For Paul Wight, however, the thrill of competition remains irresistible. With a legacy that spans WWE, WCW, and now AEW, his final run promises to be one of reflection, appreciation, and perhaps even a few surprises. As he prepares for that final chapter, all eyes will be on Wight to see whether he can deliver the kind of farewell he envisions—one that evokes the same respect, emotion, and admiration that Sting received in his final bow.
H/T: Fightful for the above transcription.
