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Paul Wight leaving WWE for AEW sent shockwaves through the wrestling world.
After over 20-years with WWE, Wight made the decision to exit the company, citing creative frustrations in a recent interview with Oral Sessions with Renee Paquette.
Wight says he made the decision in a span of 48 hours to sign with All Elite Wrestling. He will serve as a color commentator on AEW Dark: Elevation alongside Tony Schiavone, as well as be an in-ring performer.
“It was a very quick decision that was made in a matter of 48 hours for me. For me, it was creative frustration. I had gone back and forth with Paul Heyman, Bruce Prichard, and Vince. I had some medical issues a couple of years ago where I had problems with my hip real bad. You know how things are there. If you get out of the loop a little, it’s hard for them to work you back into the ring, no matter how much talent you have or have to offer. It was frustrating for me because, yeah, I was making money and working once against Drew and did a couple of things like be partners with Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe, but I was like, ‘I need more than this.’ I’ve never been a sit on the bench guy. I’m not going to take my money, sit at home, and be happy like a little princess. I like to work for my money and earn it. I went 18 years in WWE without missing a tour. I love doing what I’m doing,”
Wight spoke on his frustrations with Vince McMahon, indicating it’s hard to communicate with him. He did reiterate a statement he made during the post-Revolution media scrum, revealing Vince wished him luck after signing with AEW.
“That was the biggest letdown for me; not being able to get something going creatively. I’ve known Vince for a long time and when he gets focused and blinders on, it’s hard to be the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. If you’re not at TV and nobody is going, ‘Paul Wight is still alive, he can work.’ It got frustrating and I got frustrated trying to knock on the door. They were trying to use me for other things like relations. They were trying to do me a favor and put me in Shady Pines. I didn’t want to be in Shady Pines. I told them, ‘Don’t put me in Shady Pines.’ I had the opportunity to do something else and I took it. I talked to Vince and Kevin Dunn. Nobody is mad, nobody is upset. The day I signed, Vince called me and wished me luck, saying I was a big asset for AEW and he was glad I signed. They did a lot of things for me. For me to try and bury WWE, it’s not about that. It’s just business.”
You can listen to the full episode here
Thanks to Fightful for the transcription.