In a candid interview with TMZ Sports, former WWE Superstar Paul Wight, now part of the All Elite Wrestling (AEW) roster, expressed his enthusiasm for the newfound opportunities arising from talents freely moving between AEW and WWE.
The wrestling giant shed light on the benefits and challenges presented by the evolving landscape of professional wrestling.
In a world where competition is king, Paul Wight believes that the current wrestling scene, featuring major promotions like AEW and WWE, offers a refreshing change. With AEW gaining momentum and mainstream coverage, thanks to its backing by Tony Khan and the Khan family, Wight sees the potential for talents to explore and evolve.
Wight shared,
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“If a talent can’t find their groove in AEW, they might find it in WWE. And vice versa. If they can’t find it in WWE, they might find it in AEW. And it’s refreshing. You’ll get talents that transfer and new exciting matches for the fans, and sometimes they get to see some of their favorites from years ago.”
Embracing the spirit of competition, Wight emphasized the positive synergy created by having multiple talented individuals across different promotions. Drawing parallels to his own resilience, he humorously quipped,
“I’m kind of like Snake Plissken from Escape From New York. People are happy I’m still alive.”
Beyond the ring, Wight plays a mentorship role for the younger generation in AEW. He shared insights into guiding the aspiring talents, stressing the importance of making mistakes and learning from them.
“I try to help them with just the little nuances of being consistent and knowing when to let things get under our skin and when not to.”
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Reflecting on the evolving dynamics of talent development in the age of social media, Wight acknowledged the advantages and challenges. He emphasized the need for talents to stay grounded and true to themselves in the face of instant public feedback.
“You have to find that sweet spot where you know who you are as a talent. You’re honest with yourself on what you need to improve on, and you accept that sometimes you’re going to make mistakes.”
When discussing his love for AEW, Wight highlighted the authenticity of the product. Contrasting it with his experience in a more structured environment, he appreciated AEW’s approach where talents have the freedom to shape their own promos.
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“When a talent has a promo, there’s no one writing that promo for the talent. The talent has to go out there and basically get themselves over.”
In a heartfelt moment, Wight shared his perspective as a wrestling fan, emphasizing the importance of emotional connections between the performers and the audience. He praised AEW for providing a platform where talents can grow and succeed, breaking free from the notion that there was only one dominant force in the industry.
As the landscape of professional wrestling continues to evolve, Paul Wight’s insights shed light on the exciting possibilities and challenges that lie ahead for talents crossing between AEW and WWE, bringing a fresh perspective to the world of sports entertainment
