Big Show
Template:About Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox professional wrestler Paul Donald Wight II (born February 8, 1972) is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) under his real name. He is best known for his tenure with World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from 1995 to 1999 as (the) Giant and his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation/WWE from 1999 to 2021 under the ring name (the) Big Show.
Wight played college basketball at Wichita State University before transferring to other schools. He began his wrestling career in 1994. In 1995, he signed with WCW, where, due to his great height and large frame, he was known by the ring name The Giant and initially introduced as "the son of André the Giant". In early 1999, he left WCW to join the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).
Between WWF/WWE and WCW, he has held 23 total championships - including being a seven-time world champion, having held the WCW World Heavyweight Championship twice, the WWF/WWE Championship twice, WWE's World Heavyweight Championship twice and the ECW World Heavyweight Championship once, (making him the only wrestler who has won all four titles),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and an 11-time world tag team champion, holding the WWF/World, WWE and WCW World Tag Team Championships multiple times with various partners. Having also won the Intercontinental, United States and Hardcore championships, he is the 24th Triple Crown and 12th Grand Slam winner in WWE history.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He also won the 60-man battle royal at World War 3 and the 30-man André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31. He has headlined multiple pay-per-view events for WCW and WWF/WWE since 1995, including the 16th edition of WWE's premier annual event, WrestleMania.
Outside of professional wrestling, Wight has appeared in feature films and television series such as Jingle All the Way, The Waterboy, Star Trek: Enterprise, and two USA Network's comedy-dramas Royal Pains, Psych and the action-drama Burn Notice. He had lead roles in the WWE Studios comedy film Knucklehead and the Netflix sitcom The Big Show Show.
Early life
Wight was born February 8, 1972, in Aiken, South Carolina. He was born with acromegaly, a disease of the endocrine system that causes accelerated growth.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By the age of twelve, he was Template:Height tall, weighed Template:Convert, and had chest hair. In 1991, as a member of the Wichita State University basketball team at age 19, he was listed at Template:Height.<ref name="Height">Template:Cite web</ref> He underwent successful surgery in the early 1990s on his pituitary gland, which halted the growth. His shoe size is 22 5E,<ref>Big Show quote on Fox 2 News Detroit, September 13, 2013</ref> his ring size is 22, and his chest is Template:Convert in circumference. In 2005, he leased a bus and hired a bus driver because of the practical problems his size presents to air travel and car rental.<ref name="JR">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Zerr">Template:Cite web</ref>
Wight played basketball and American football in high school at W. Wyman King Academy in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina. He was a standout center for the basketball team and a tight end for the football team. He quit football after his freshman year because of disputes with the coach. He continued to support the team by joining the cheerleading squad as a sophomore, partly from spite. He later called it "the greatest experience of my life... Everybody else was riding a bus with sweaty equipment, and I'm in a van with seven cheerleaders who are all learning about life". The van was driven by "a mom who was deaf in her right ear and chain-smoked".<ref name=SAS>Steve Austin Show episode 97, "WWE's Big Show" (29:00). Podcastone.com. Retrieved on April 7, 2014.</ref>
After leaving high school, Wight attended Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa, Oklahoma, where his basketball averages of 14 points and 6.5 rebounds earned him all-conference honors and helped the team win the Western Division of the Oklahoma Bi-State Conference.<ref>Here's Big Show's profile in the 1991–92 Wichita St... on Twitpic. Twitpic.com. Retrieved on April 7, 2014.</ref> He went on to attend Wichita State University, where in 1991-1992 he played for the Wichita State Shockers.<ref name="Wichita">Template:Cite web</ref> Wight subsequently attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville from 1992 to 1993, where he was a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Cougars basketball team and scored 39 points for the Cougars in limited action; he joined the Xi Beta chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.<ref name="SIUE">Template:Cite web</ref>
After graduating, Wight worked various jobs including bouncing, bounty hunting, and answering phone calls.
Professional wrestling career
Training and early career (1994–1995)
Wight paid $5,000{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__|$B= Template:Namespace detect }} to train at Larry Sharpe's Monster Factory, but due to Sharpe's gout at the time, he was only very minimally trained (Johnny Polo taught him the collar-and-elbow tie-up). Wight wrestled the first match of his career on December 3, 1994, at a World Wrestling Association (WWA) show in Clementon, New Jersey; he lost by count-out to WWA Heavyweight Champion Frank Finnegan.<ref name="cagematch.net"/>
Wight attempted to inquire about joining the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during an autograph session at the Rosemont Horizon. Promoter and scout Bob Collins turned him away after he admitted he had no experience. While attending the Monster Factory, Wight made an audition tape and gave it to Mike Chioda, whom he had met in a Philadelphia bar. Chioda forwarded it to Pat Patterson, who did not bother watching it because he assumed Wight was another wrestler, Kurrgan. Only when he later saw The Giant debut in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) did Patterson realize his mistake, much to Vince McMahon's displeasure.<ref name=SAS/>
While answering phones for a karaoke company, Wight met Danny Bonaduce in a live microphone amateur contest on his morning radio show. Bonaduce introduced Wight to his friend, WCW wrestler Hulk Hogan. They had an informal basketball game, as part of a WCW promotion for an upcoming show at the Rosemont Horizon. Hogan liked how Wight worked the crowd and recommended him to WCW's vice president, Eric Bischoff. Wight went to the Horizon show, and was invited into the locker room, where he met Ric Flair, Arn Anderson (his boyhood hero) and Paul Orndorff. He later met Bischoff there and came to a deal.<ref name=SAS/>
World Championship Wrestling (1995–1999)
WCW World Heavyweight Champion (1995–1996)
In 1995, Wight signed with WCW. He debuted on May 21 at Slamboree, where he was billed as the son of André the Giant (although this was later dropped) and accordingly used the ring name "the Giant" as a member of Kevin Sullivan's Dungeon of Doom stable. Wight made his professional in-ring debut at the Halloween Havoc pay-per-view in October 1995, challenging Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. He won the match after Hogan's manager, Jimmy Hart, purposely got Hogan disqualified and then turned on him.<ref name="Milner"/> The following night, the Giant appeared on WCW Monday Nitro wearing the championship belt; Hart, who became The Giant's manager, revealed that he had put a stipulation in the contract for the match that if Hogan lost via disqualification, he would lose his championship. WCW responded by nullifying the title change due to the circumstances surrounding it and the championship was vacated.
The Giant then entered the sixty-man battle royal contested for the vacant championship at World War 3 on November 26. He was one of the final six combatants, being eliminated simultaneously with Sting and Lex Luger by Hogan. The Giant did not leave the ring upon being eliminated and pulled Hogan underneath the ropes while Randy Savage was eliminating the One Man Gang from the match. The referee did not see the Giant's actions, only that Hogan was on the floor, and thus awarded the match and the title to Savage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Giant teamed with Ric Flair to defeat Hogan and Savage at Clash of the Champions XXXII in January 1996,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but was defeated by Hogan in a cage match at SuperBrawl VI the following month.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> A grudge between the Giant and fellow Dungeon of Doom member Loch Ness soon developed over who was the only true giant of WCW, with Giant defeating Loch Ness at Uncensored in March 1996.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the April 22, 1996 episode of WCW Monday Nitro, the Giant teamed with WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair to face WCW World Tag Team Champions Sting and Lex Luger (who was also the WCW World Television Champion) in a match with all three titles on the line. The match ended in a disqualification when Flair accidentally threw hot coffee in the Giant's eyes, leading the Giant to issue a challenge to Flair. Later that night (in a match that aired on April 29, 1996), the Giant pinned Flair following a chokeslam to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship for a second time. At Slamboree in May 1996, he successfully defended the title against Sting. At The Great American Bash in June 1996, he successfully defended the title against Lex Luger. At Bash at the Beach in July 1996, the Giant teamed with Kevin Sullivan to defeat Arn Anderson and Chris Benoit. After Hulk Hogan formed the New World Order (nWo), he defeated the Giant for the title at Hog Wild on August 10, 1996 following interference from Scott Hall and Kevin Nash.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
New World Order (1996–1999)
The Giant joined the nWo in September 1996, citing Ted DiBiase's money as his primary motivation. At Fall Brawl '96: War Games later that month, he defeated Randy Savage with the assistance of Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. He went on to feud with Lex Luger and the Four Horsemen. At Halloween Havoc in October 1996, he defeated aspiring Four Horsemen member Jeff Jarrett by disqualification after Four Horsemen leader Ric Flair gave him a low blow.
After winning the World War 3 match at World War 3 in November 1996, the Giant asked Hogan for a World Heavyweight Championship title match. For this, he was thrown out of the nWo on December 30. He fought against the nWo along with Sting and Luger, winning the WCW World Tag Team Championship twice. The Giant began a feud with nWo member Kevin Nash, who constantly dodged the Giant, including no-showing their scheduled match at Starrcade in December 1997. At Souled Out in January 1998, the two finally met in the ring, with Nash accidentally injuring the Giant's neck when he botched his signature jackknife powerbomb. The botch was worked into a storyline, according to which Nash had intentionally dropped the Giant on his head in order to break his neck.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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When Nash left the nWo and formed his own stable, the nWo Wolfpac, the Giant re-joined the original nWo to oppose Nash and his allies. While back with the nWo, the Giant won two more WCW World Tag Team Championships, once with Sting as an unwilling partner (as the match was signed before the Giant returned to the nWo) and once with Scott Hall. In the interim between those two reigns, he lost his half of the titles to Sting in a singles match where only the winner would remain champion and could choose a new partner. On the October 12, 1998 episode of Nitro, Bill Goldberg defeated the Giant in a no-disqualification match. In a show of strength, Goldberg executed a delayed vertical suplex before executing the Jackhammer on the Giant.<ref>Bill Goldberg. Accelerator3359.com. Retrieved on June 8, 2011.</ref><ref>Wrestling Information Archive – WCW Monday NITRO Archives – 1998 Template:Webarchive. 100megsfree4.com. Retrieved on June 8, 2011.</ref><ref>House Show Results from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Sunday, 10/11/1998. Ddtdigest.com. Retrieved on June 8, 2011.</ref> After the nWo Hollywood and nWo Wolfpac stables merged again in January 1999, Hogan declared that there was only room for one "giant" in the group, forcing Giant and Nash to wrestle for that spot. On the January 11, 1999 episode of WCW Monday Nitro, Nash defeated Giant following a run-in by Scott Hall and Eric Bischoff. The Giant was then attacked by the entire nWo; this marked Wight's final appearance in WCW. On the "Building An Army" episode of the Monday Night War feature from the WWE Network, Wight stated that he was making a fraction of what the main eventers were making and his salary was not increased after he requested it be by Eric Bischoff; as a result, Wight allowed his WCW contract to expire on February 8, 1999, his 27th birthday.
World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment (1999–2007)
WWF Champion (1999–2003)
Template:See also Wight signed a ten-year contract with the World Wrestling Federation in the midst of the promotion's "Attitude Era". He debuted on February 14, 1999 under the name "Paul Wight" at St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House, establishing himself as a member of Vince McMahon's villainous stable, the Corporation. During McMahon's cage match against Stone Cold Steve Austin, Wight tore through the canvas from underneath the ring and attacked Austin, establishing himself as a heel. After he threw Austin into the side of the cage, the cage broke, causing Austin to fall outside to the floor, resulting in Austin winning the match. Wight served as McMahon's enforcer and was renamed Big Show.<ref name="Milner"/><ref name="BigShowDVD">Template:Cite AV media</ref>
At WrestleMania XV on March 28, he faced Mankind for the right to referee the main event between Austin and The Corporation's WWF Champion The Rock. Big Show incapacitated Mankind and was disqualified. After the match, McMahon slapped him, so he punched McMahon, turning face and leaving The Corporation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He lost to Mankind in a Boiler Room Brawl at Backlash on April 25.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They eventually formed a stable with Test and Ken Shamrock known as The Union, who fought against the Corporation and later The Corporate Ministry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Fully Loaded on July 25, Big Show defeated Kane.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He turned heel again by teaming with The Undertaker; they won the WWF Tag Team Championship from Kane and X-Pac at SummerSlam on August 22, but lost them to Mankind and The Rock the following week on Raw is War.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They regained the titles in a Buried Alive match on the September 9 episode of SmackDown!, before losing them again on the September 20 episode of Raw is War.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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After The Undertaker was sidelined with injuries, Big Show turned face once again and began a feud with the Big Boss Man around the death of Big Show's father (in reality, Wight's father had died years before).<ref name="BigShowDVD"/> During his feud, they taped a segment where Big Boss Man invaded the funeral and used a chain to steal the coffin.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Survivor Series on November 14, Big Show replaced Austin in a triple threat match against The Rock and WWF Champion Triple H after he was (kayfabe) run over by a car, winning the WWF Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show retained the title at Armageddon on December 12 against Big Boss Man, before losing it to Triple H on the January 3, 2000 episode of Raw is War.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Milner"/> Big Show was the last man eliminated in the Royal Rumble match on January 23 by The Rock.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They started a storyline where Big Show turned heel once again by producing a videotape that showed The Rock's feet striking the ground first, leading to a match with The Rock at No Way Out on February 27, with the WrestleMania title shot on the line, which Big Show won.<ref name="Milner"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Rock was desperate to reclaim his title shot and eventually agreed to a match with Big Show on the March 13 episode of Raw – if he won, the WrestleMania title match would become a triple threat match, and if he lost, he would retire from the WWF. Shane McMahon, now actively supporting Big Show's bid to become champion, appointed himself as the special guest referee, however, The Rock defeated Big Show when Vince assaulted Shane and donned the referee shirt, personally making the three count. On the March 20 episode of Raw, Triple H defended the title against The Rock and Big Show on the condition that the match would not take place at WrestleMania 2000 on April 2, pinning Big Show. Linda McMahon stated this match would not occur at WrestleMania as Triple H would defend the title there in a fatal four-way elimination match with Mick Foley as the fourth man, but Big Show was the first man eliminated from the match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Big Show turned face again and took on a comical gimmick where he began mimicking other wrestlers, lampooning Rikishi as Showkishi, The Berzerker as Shonan the Barbarian and Val Venis as The Big Showbowski.<ref name="BigShowDVD"/> He defeated Kurt Angle at Backlash on April 30 dressed like Hulk Hogan as the Showster.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Shane voiced his disapproval of Big Show's antics, leading to a Falls Count Anywhere match at Judgment Day on May 21, which Big Show lost.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He returned two months later, apparently intending to gain revenge on Shane. Instead, he turned heel again and attacked The Undertaker and sided with Shane once more, forming a short-lived stable known as "The Conspiracy" with Shane, Chris Benoit, Kurt Angle and Edge and Christian. After The Undertaker threw Big Show off a stage through a table on the August 7 episode of Raw is War, he was removed from WWF television for the remainder of the year and sent to the WWF's developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling, to lose weight and improve his cardiovascular fitness.<ref name="BigShowDVD"/><ref name="Ristic">Template:Cite web</ref>
Big Show made a surprise return as the 23rd entrant in the Royal Rumble match on January 21, 2001, but was immediately eliminated by The Rock.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He won the WWF Hardcore Championship from Raven at No Way Out on February 25, but lost it back to him on the March 19 episode of Raw is War.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show lost to Kane in a triple threat match for the title also involving Raven at WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He lost to Shane McMahon, the on-screen owner of WCW, in a Last Man Standing match at Backlash on April 29.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show then turned face and, throughout The Invasion, remained loyal to the WWF. At Invasion on July 22, he teamed with Albert and Billy Gunn in a loss to Chris Kanyon, Hugh Morrus and Shawn Stasiak.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was also part of the victorious Team WWF at Survivor Series on November 18.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
After WrestleMania X8, on March 17, 2002, Big Show was drafted to the Raw brand.<ref name="Milner"/> On the April 22 episode of Raw, Big Show turned heel again when he chokeslammed Stone Cold Steve Austin during a tag team match against X-Pac and Scott Hall, joining the nWo in the process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Judgment Day on May 19, Big Show and Ric Flair lost to Austin in a handicap match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After the stable disbanded due to Kevin Nash getting injured, Big Show achieved little success on Raw, notably losing to Booker T in a No Disqualification match at Vengeance on July 21.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In October, Big Show was traded to the SmackDown! brand, immediately challenging Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship, which he won at Survivor Series on November 17, ending Lesnar's undefeated streak with help from Paul Heyman.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He lost the title to Angle at Armageddon on December 15.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Royal Rumble on January 19, 2003, Big Show lost a Royal Rumble qualifying match to Lesnar.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He then began feuding with The Undertaker after Big Show threw him off the stage, injuring his neck.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show lost to The Undertaker on February 23 at No Way Out and teamed with A-Train in a loss to Undertaker at WrestleMania XIX on March 30.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After defeating Rey Mysterio on April 27 at Backlash,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show renewed his feud with Lesnar, but failed to win the WWE Championship in a stretcher match at Judgment Day on May 18.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a title rematch on the June 12 episode of SmackDown!, Lesnar superplexed Big Show off the ropes and the ring imploded.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the June 26 episode of SmackDown!, Big Show, Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas defeated Mr. America (a disguised Hulk Hogan), Lesnar and Angle when Big Show pinned Mr. America, which was Hogan's last appearance as Mr. America.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He again failed to win the title in a triple threat match at Vengeance on July 27.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
United States Champion (2003–2005)
At No Mercy on October 19, Big Show defeated Eddie Guerrero for the WWE United States Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was a part of Lesnar's team at Survivor Series on November 16, but was eliminated by John Cena.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was the last man eliminated by Chris Benoit at the Royal Rumble on January 25, 2004 and failed to win a triple threat match for a WWE Championship match at WrestleMania XX at No Way Out on February 15.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At WrestleMania on March 14, Big Show lost the United States Championship to Cena.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the April 15 episode of SmackDown!, Big Show promised to quit if he lost to Guerrero that night, which he did, and, believing that Torrie Wilson had laughed at him for losing, upended her car and threatened to throw her off a ledge. SmackDown! General Manager Angle ascended the ledge to try to talk some reason into Big Show, but he chokeslammed Angle off the ledge, (kayfabe) concussing him, breaking his leg and causing the back of Angle's head to bleed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was not seen or mentioned on television for months as he underwent knee surgery.<ref name="Milner"/> In August, Big Show was reinstated by new general manager Theodore Long as he interfered during a lumberjack match between Guerrero and Angle on the September 9 episode of SmackDown!.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show had a choice to face either Guerrero or Angle at No Mercy on October 3, choosing to fight Angle, turning face in the process. Big Show defeated Angle at No Mercy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the weeks before the match, he claimed to have "lost his dignity" when Angle tranquilized him in the middle of the ring using a dart gun and shaved his head on the fifth anniversary episode of SmackDown!.<ref name="Milner" /> At Armageddon on December 12, he defeated Angle, Mark Jindrak and Luther Reigns in a handicap match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Big Show unsuccessfully challenged John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL) for the WWE Championship in a triple threat match involving Angle at Royal Rumble on January 30, 2005, and in a barbed wire steel cage match at No Way Out on February 20.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At WrestleMania 21 on April 3, Big Show faced Sumo Grand Champion Akebono in a worked sumo match. In the weeks preceding the match, Big Show pushed over a jeep driven to the ring by Luther Reigns to show that he was capable of moving the marginally heavier Akebono.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show lost to Akebono at WrestleMania 21.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show subsequently feuded with Carlito and his bodyguard, Matt Morgan, losing to Carlito at Judgment Day on May 22 after Morgan interfered.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the June 27 episode of Raw, Big Show was drafted to the Raw brand in the 2005 WWE draft lottery, defeating Gene Snitsky in a tag team match, which turned into a singles match when both men's partners brawled backstage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They continued feuding over the next few weeks in singles and tag team matches on Raw.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Unforgiven on September 18, Big Show defeated Snitsky.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the September 26 episode of Raw, Big Show defeated Snitsky again in a Street Fight to end their feud.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Teaming with Kane (2005–2006)
Template:Main article On the October 17 episode of Raw, Big Show defeated Edge and was entered in an online opinion poll, with the winner of the poll facing John Cena and Kurt Angle in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship at Taboo Tuesday on November 1.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The poll was won by Shawn Michaels, meaning that the other two wrestlers competed for the World Tag Team Championship. At Taboo Tuesday, Big Show teamed with Kane to defeat Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch for the World Tag Team Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They successfully defended the titles against Cade and Murdoch in a hardcore match on the November 7 episode of Raw.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In the weeks preceding Survivor Series on November 27, Big Show became involved in the rivalry between the Raw and SmackDown! brands. Big Show and Kane invaded the November 11 episode of SmackDown! and, along with Edge, attacked and inadvertently injured Batista.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the November 21 episode of Raw, Big Show and Kane "injured" Batista by delivering a double chokeslam onto the windshield of a car.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Survivor Series, Big Show, Kane, Carlito, Chris Masters and team captain Michaels represented Raw in a match with Team SmackDown! (JBL, Rey Mysterio, Bobby Lashley, Randy Orton and Batista). Big Show was eliminated by Mysterio and Team SmackDown! won the match, with Orton being the sole survivor.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following the event, Big Show and Kane began feuding with WWE Tag Team Champions Mysterio and Batista, leading to a tag team match at Armageddon on December 18, which Big Show and Kane won.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The week prior on Raw, Big Show lost a qualifying match for a shot at the WWE Championship in an Elimination Chamber match at New Year's Revolution on January 8, 2006 to Michaels by disqualification after Triple H hit Michaels with a chair, intentionally costing Big Show the match and the title shot. In retaliation, Big Show cost Triple H his qualifying match with Kane later that evening.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At New Year's Revolution, Triple H defeated Big Show after striking him in the head with his sledgehammer and a Pedigree.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Big Show and Kane next feuded with Masters and Carlito, who they defeated to retain the World Tag Team Championship on April 2 at WrestleMania 22.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following night on Raw, Big Show and Kane lost the championship to Spirit Squad members Kenny and Mikey following copious interference from the other members of the Spirit Squad.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They faced Spirit Squad members Johnny and Nicky in a rematch one week later, but lost via disqualification after Kane "snapped" and left the ring to attack the other members of the Spirit Squad.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The ensuing feud between Kane and Big Show culminated in a match at Backlash on April 30 that ended in a no contest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
ECW World Heavyweight Champion (2006–2007)
At WWE vs. ECW Head-to-Head on June 7, Big Show joined the newly debuted ECW brand as he removed his Raw shirt to reveal an ECW shirt during a twenty-man battle royal including members of the Raw and SmackDown! rosters against members of the ECW roster, which he won by last eliminating Randy Orton.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show then appeared at ECW One Night Stand on June 11, attacking Tajiri, Super Crazy and The Full Blooded Italians after their tag team match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the July 4 episode of ECW, Big Show defeated Rob Van Dam to win the ECW World Heavyweight Championship with the assistance of ECW's Representative Paul Heyman, who declined to make the three-count for Van Dam after he performed the Five Star Frog Splash on Big Show. Heyman then instructed Big Show to chokeslam Van Dam onto a chair before making the three-count so Big Show won the title, making him the first non-ECW Original to hold it. The fans almost rioted when Big Show won the title, throwing drinks and empty cups into the ring as Heyman and Big Show celebrated, turning heel in the process. The victory made him the first ever professional wrestler to hold the WWE Championship, WCW World Heavyweight Championship and ECW World Heavyweight Championship.<ref name="ECW title win">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="MacKinder">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Flair"/> He made his first successful defense against Ric Flair on the July 11 episode of ECW.<ref name="Flair">Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show lost to The Undertaker at The Great American Bash on July 23 in the first ever Punjabi Prison match, replacing The Great Khali, who was removed by SmackDown! General Manager Theodore Long and replaced with Big Show as punishment for an attack on The Undertaker shortly before the match.<ref name="Punjabi Prison">Template:Cite web</ref> He defeated Kane to retain the now renamed ECW World Championship two nights later on ECW.<ref name="Sabu attack1">Template:Cite web</ref> He also had a brief feud with Sabu, whom he defeated at SummerSlam on August 20 to retain the ECW World Championship.<ref name="Sabu attack1"/><ref name="Sabu attack2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="EGaug2006">Template:Cite web</ref> Also at SummerSlam, Big Show was one of the "resources" used by Vince and Shane McMahon in their match against D-Generation X (DX). He teamed with Vince and Shane against Triple H and Shawn Michaels in a 3-on-2 handicap Hell in a Cell match at Unforgiven on September 17, which was won by DX. During the match, DX shoved Vince's head up Big Show's buttocks in a mockery of Vince's Kiss My Ass Club.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
At Cyber Sunday on November 5, Big Show faced John Cena and King Booker in a Champion of Champions match, with the fans voting for Booker's World Heavyweight Championship to be on the line. He lost the match when King Booker pinned Cena following interference from Kevin Federline, who was beginning a feud with Cena.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Survivor Series on November 26, Big Show competed in the traditional 10-man Survivor Series tag team match, but was the last man pinned by Cena.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He then began a feud with Bobby Lashley, who left SmackDown! to join the ECW brand to participate in the Extreme Elimination Chamber match for the ECW World Championship at December to Dismember on December 3, where Big Show lost the title to Lashley.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following an unsuccessful rematch two nights later on ECW, Big Show took time off to heal from injuries.<ref name="Milner"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 8, 2007, it was announced that Big Show's WWE contract had expired.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Memphis Wrestling (2007)
Wight replaced Jerry Lawler when the WWE withdrew him from a match with former nWo partner Hulk Hogan at PMG Clash of Legends on April 27, 2007. Introduced as Paul "The Great" Wight, he stated that "Big Show" was his slave name and he did not want to be owned anymore.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wight lost the match to Hogan.<ref name="Milner"/>
Return to WWE (2008–2021)
Unified WWE Tag Team Champion (2008–2010)
Template:Main article On February 17, 2008, at No Way Out, a much slimmer looking Big Show made his return to WWE television, attempting to attack Rey Mysterio after his World Heavyweight Championship match with Edge but got into a physical confrontation with boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. after Mayweather came from the crowd to challenge Big Show. The confrontation ended with Mayweather breaking Big Show's nose with a punching combination.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show lost to Mayweather at WrestleMania XXIV on March 30 by knockout after a shot to the jaw with brass knuckles.<ref name="WM24 Res">Template:Cite web</ref> He then turned face in a feud with The Great Khali, defeating him at Backlash on April 27.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
At One Night Stand on June 1, Big Show defeated CM Punk, John Morrison, Chavo Guerrero and Tommy Dreamer in a Singapore Cane match to become the number one contender for the ECW Championship at Night of Champions on June 29. During the bout, he received a black eye and deep gash along the eyebrow, which required stitches after Morrison swung a Singapore cane to his knee, which caused Big Show to fall with the steps. As he fell, the steps accidentally moved to the right, which hit Big Show in the eye.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He failed to win the title in a triple threat match at Night of Champions after champion Mark Henry pinned Kane.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Big Show was then assigned to the SmackDown brand, where he turned heel by siding with Vickie Guerrero in her ongoing feud with The Undertaker, attacking him at Unforgiven on September 7.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He defeated The Undertaker by knockout at No Mercy on October 5.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, Big Show lost to The Undertaker in a fan-voted Last Man Standing match at Cyber Sunday on October 26 and a casket match at Survivor Series on November 23.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the December 5 episode of SmackDown, Big Show lost to The Undertaker in a steel cage match to end their feud.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At No Way Out on February 15, 2009, Big Show competed in an Elimination Chamber match for the WWE Championship, but was eliminated by Triple H.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In March, it was revealed by John Cena that the Big Show was having secret relations with Guerrero.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At WrestleMania 25 on April 5, Big Show was involved in a triple threat match for the World Heavyweight Championship, which was won by Cena.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On April 13, Big Show was drafted to the Raw brand as a part of the 2009 WWE draft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Backlash on April 26, he interfered in Cena and Edge's Last Man Standing match for the title, throwing Cena into a spotlight, resulting in Edge winning the title and Cena being seriously injured.<ref name="LastManStanding">Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show lost to Cena at Judgment Day on May 17 and at Extreme Rules on June 7 in a submission match,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> before defeating him on the June 22 episode of Raw to end the feud.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
At Night of Champions on July 26, Big Show was introduced as Chris Jericho's new tag team partner due to Edge needing time off to tend to an injury. Together, Jeri-Show successfully defended the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship against The Legacy.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They successfully defended the titles against Cryme Tyme at SummerSlam on August 23, MVP and Mark Henry at Breaking Point on September 13 and Rey Mysterio and Batista at Hell in a Cell on October 4.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Bragging Rights on October 25, Big Show represented Team Raw, but betrayed and attacked his teammates, which led to Team SmackDown winning so that he could receive an opportunity at the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Survivor Series on November 22, he failed to win the title in a triple threat match against The Undertaker and Jericho.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Jeri-Show lost the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs on December 13 to D-Generation X (DX) in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As a member of the SmackDown roster, Jericho could only appear on Raw as a champion, so DX intentionally disqualified themselves in a rematch to force Jericho off the show.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the January 4, 2010 episode of Raw, DX again defeated Jeri-Show, ending their team.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the February 8 episode of Raw, Big Show regained the titles from DX with his new tag team partner The Miz in a triple threat tag team elimination match also involving the Straight Edge Society (CM Punk and Luke Gallows).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On February 16, he and Miz successfully defended the titles against Yoshi Tatsu and Goldust on the final episode of ECW.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the March 1 episode of Raw, Big Show and The Miz defeated DX in their rematch.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At WrestleMania XXVI on March 28, they retained the titles against John Morrison and R-Truth.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Extreme Rules on April 25, ShoMiz competed in a tag team gauntlet match where the team that beat them would earn a title match the next night on Raw. In the gauntlet, ShoMiz defeated Morrison and R-Truth and MVP and Henry, before losing to The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the April 26 episode of Raw, they lost the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship to The Hart Dynasty.
Championship pursuits and reunion with Kane (2010–2011)
Following the match, Big Show attacked The Miz with a knockout punch and hugged Theodore Long, turning face in the process. Later in the night, as part of the 2010 WWE draft, Big Show was drafted back to the SmackDown brand.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Four days later on SmackDown, he was named the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship and began feuding with champion Jack Swagger.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show defeated Swagger via disqualification at Over the Limit on May 23, but did not win the title.<ref name="WHC">Template:Cite web</ref> With this victory, he qualified for a fatal four-way match for the World Heavyweight Championship at Fatal 4-Way on June 20, but lost as Rey Mysterio won the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="WorldHeavyweightChampionship">Template:Cite web</ref> On the following episode of SmackDown, Swagger debuted his new ankle lock finishing move and applied it on Big Show, injuring his ankle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He then feuded with Punk and his Straight Edge Society, unmasking Punk to reveal his bald head on the July 16 episode of SmackDown.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He failed to win the SmackDown Money in the Bank ladder match at Money in the Bank on July 18.<ref name="SmackDownMITB">Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show next unmasked the mysterious masked member of the SES, who was revealed as Joey Mercury.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show defeated the SES in a 3-on-1 handicap match at SummerSlam on August 15 and Punk at Night of Champions on September 19.<ref name="HandicapMch">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="ShowvsPunk">Template:Cite web</ref> At Bragging Rights on October 24, Big Show was the captain of Team SmackDown; despite being counted out with Sheamus, his team was victorious.<ref name="Bragging14">Template:Cite web</ref> He was on Mysterio's team at Survivor Series on November 21, where he and Mysterio won as the remaining survivors.<ref name="TraditionalSurvivorSeriesEliminationTagTeamMatch">Template:Cite web</ref>
On the January 7, 2011 episode of SmackDown, Big Show lost a fatal four-way match to determine the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship due to interference by former Nexus leader Wade Barrett.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The next week, he defeated Barrett via disqualification when former Nexus members Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel attacked him. Ezekiel Jackson then appeared to help him, but instead attacked Big Show.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Barrett, Slater, Gabriel and Jackson formed the Corre and continued to assault Big Show in the following weeks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Elimination Chamber on February 20, he participated in an Elimination Chamber match for the title, eliminating Barrett before being eliminated by Kane.<ref name="times">Template:Cite web</ref>
The following month, Big Show reunited with Kane to fight the Corre, teaming with Santino Marella and Kingston to defeat them at WrestleMania XXVII on April 3.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the April 22 episode of SmackDown, the duo defeated Corre members Gabriel and Slater to win the WWE Tag Team Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show was drafted back to the Raw brand as a part of the 2011 WWE draft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He and Kane then started feuding with the New Nexus, successfully defending the titles against Barrett and Jackson at Extreme Rules on May 1 and Punk and Mason Ryan at Over the Limit on May 22,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> before losing them the next night on Raw to Michael McGillicutty and David Otunga. Big Show was sidelined with an injury after being run over by Alberto Del Rio's car, driven by his ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He returned during a match between Kane and Del Rio, attacking Del Rio and Rodriguez.<ref name="wrestleview.com">Template:Cite web</ref>
Big Show then began feuding with Mark Henry after he attacked and injured him on the June 17 episode of SmackDown, as Big Show's frustrations and anger towards Del Rio was redirected unintentionally to Henry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Capitol Punishment on June 19, Henry retaliated by attacking Big Show during his match and attacking him with the World's Strongest Slam through an announce table, causing Big Show to lose to Del Rio by knockout.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Henry did the same thing on Kane through the broadcast table the next night on Raw after their arm wrestling match, and again on the June 27 episode of Raw when Henry broke the cage door during the steel cage match between Big Show and Del Rio, allowing Del Rio to escape. He then attacked Big Show with the cage door, breaking the cage viciously.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 17, at Money in the Bank, Henry defeated Big Show. After the match, Henry fractured Big Show's fibula, keeping him out of action for almost three months.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
World Heavyweight Champion (2011–2013)
On the October 7 episode of SmackDown, Big Show returned and became the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship after attacking Henry and chokeslamming him through the broadcast table.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Vengeance on October 23, Big Show fought Henry to a no contest after the ring collapsed following a superplex from Henry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He won a title rematch by disqualification when Henry hit Big Show with a low blow on November 20 at Survivor Series, after which he crushed Henry's ankle with a chair.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs on December 18, Big Show defeated Henry for the title in a chairs match. Afterwards, Henry knocked Big Show out with a DDT onto a chair and Daniel Bryan immediately cashed his Money in the Bank contract on Big Show to win the title, giving Big Show the shortest-ever World Heavyweight Championship reign at 45 seconds.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the January 6, 2012 episode of SmackDown, Bryan retained his title against Big Show by disqualification when he goaded Henry into attacking him.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The next week on SmackDown, Big Show's rematch for the title, contested under no disqualification, no countout rules, ended in a no contest after he accidentally crashed into and injured AJ (Bryan's storyline girlfriend) at ringside.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Royal Rumble on January 29, 2012, Big Show faced Bryan and Henry in a triple threat steel cage match for the World Heavyweight Championship, but Bryan escaped the steel cage to retain his title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Elimination Chamber on February 19, Big Show was the second man eliminated in the titular match for the World Heavyweight Championship by Cody Rhodes.<ref name="EliminationChamber2012">Template:Cite web</ref>
In the following weeks, Big Show began a feud with Rhodes, who highlighted Big Show's embarrassing moments in previous WrestleManias, causing Big Show to lose matches in the process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At WrestleMania XXVIII on April 1, Big Show defeated Rhodes to win the Intercontinental Championship, becoming the twenty-fourth wrestler to win the Triple Crown Championship and the twelfth Grand Slam Champion in the WWE; he is the most recent wrestler to complete the original Grand Slam format.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show then began highlighting embarrassing moments in Rhodes' career.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He lost the Intercontinental Championship back to Rhodes on April 29 at Extreme Rules in a tables match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a rematch on the May 7 episode of Raw SuperShow, he defeated Rhodes via countout after Rhodes walked out on the match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following week, Big Show was fired by Raw and SmackDown General Manager John Laurinaitis for making fun of his voice.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
At Over the Limit on May 20, Big Show seemingly appeared to help John Cena in his match against Laurinaitis; instead, he knocked out Cena, allowing Laurinaitis to pin Cena and turning heel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following night on Raw SuperShow, Big Show explained that his actions were of necessity to keep his job in the WWE, therefore resulting in Laurinaitis re-signing him to an "ironclad contract with a big fat bonus", also stating that nobody showed him any sympathy when he got fired.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Due to the terms of his contract, he attacked Cena and other wrestlers over the following weeks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the June 11 episode of Raw SuperShow, he accidentally knocked out Vince McMahon after he decided that Laurinatis would be fired if Big Show lost to Cena in a steel cage match at No Way Out on June 17,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which he did, thus per stipulation, Laurinaitis was fired.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Money in the Bank on July 15, Big Show competed in the WWE Championship Money in the Bank ladder match, which Cena won.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 23, at Raw 1000, Big Show attacked Cena during his WWE Championship match against CM Punk, causing a disqualification.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following week on Raw, a WWE Championship number one contender's match between Big Show and Cena ended in a no contest due to interference from Punk. Raw General Manager AJ Lee inserted both Big Show and Cena in the championship match at SummerSlam on August 19, but Punk retained the title.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The following month, Big Show defeated Randy Orton to become the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Hell in a Cell on October 28, Big Show defeated Sheamus to win his second World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 18, at Survivor Series, he lost a title rematch to Sheamus by disqualification, but retained the title. After the match, Sheamus attacked Big Show and repeatedly hit him with a chair.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs on December 16, Big Show defeated Sheamus in a chairs match to retain the championship.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the December 28 episode of SmackDown, Big Show defended his title against Alberto Del Rio, however, the match ended in a no-contest after Sheamus interfered and attacked Big Show.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Three days later on Raw, Big Show defended the title against Del Rio's ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez, defeating him via disqualification after Del Rio attacked Big Show from behind.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the January 11 episode of SmackDown, Big Show lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Del Rio in a Last Man Standing match, ending his reign at 72 days.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He failed to regain the title from Del Rio in another Last Man Standing match on January 27 at Royal Rumble and on February 17 at Elimination Chamber.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In March, Big Show began feuding with The Shield and aligned himself with Orton and Sheamus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="parks smackdown">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the March 15 episode of SmackDown, Orton and Sheamus were allowed to pick a third partner to face the Shield in a six-man tag team match at WrestleMania 29 and originally chose Ryback.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, three days later on Raw, Ryback was booked in another match at the event, leaving the spot open. Later that night, Big Show saved the two from an attack by The Shield and was immediately recruited as their partner.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At WrestleMania on April 7, Big Show, Orton and Sheamus lost to The Shield, after which Big Show knocked out both Orton and Sheamus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following night on Raw, Orton and Sheamus faced off in a match to earn a match with Big Show, however, the match ended in a no contest after Big Show interfered.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show was then defeated by Orton and Sheamus in two handicap matches on SmackDown and Raw.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On May 19, at Extreme Rules, Big Show lost to Orton in an Extreme Rules match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Authority (2013–2016)
Template:Main article After a hiatus, Big Show made his televised return to WWE as a face on the August 12 episode of Raw, saving Henry and Rob Van Dam from an attack by The Shield.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They defeated the Shield in a six-man tag team match on the August 16 episode of SmackDown.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After speaking out against COO Triple H on the following Raw, Big Show was placed into and lost a three-on-one handicap tornado tag team match against The Shield.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Authority (Triple H and Stephanie McMahon) subsequently claimed Big Show was broke, and in order to save his job, forced him to knock out his friends including Daniel Bryan, Dusty Rhodes and The Miz.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Battleground on October 6, he interfered in the WWE Championship match between Bryan and Orton (who was allied with the Authority), knocking out both of them, ending the match in a no contest.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He then faced Orton for the WWE Championship in a losing effort on November 24 at Survivor Series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
At TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs on December 15, Big Show and Rey Mysterio unsuccessfully challenged Cody Rhodes and Goldust for the WWE Tag Team Championship in a four-way match also involving RybAxel (Ryback and Curtis Axel) and The Real Americans (Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He subsequently started a feud with Brock Lesnar, but lost to him at Royal Rumble on January 26.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On April 6, Big Show participated in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania XXX, being the last person eliminated by Cesaro.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In September, he feuded with Rusev, which ended in a submission loss for Big Show on October 26 at Hell in a Cell.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On November 23, at Survivor Series, Big Show turned heel when he joined the Authority after knocking out John Cena, causing him to be eliminated from the Survivor Series elimination match against the Authority.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On December 14, Big Show defeated Erick Rowan in a stairs match at Tables, Ladders, and Chairs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Later in the event, Big Show attacked Cena during his tables match with Seth Rollins, but was stopped by Roman Reigns.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On January 25, 2015, at the Royal Rumble, Big Show entered the Royal Rumble match at number 29, eliminating five wrestlers before being eliminated by the eventual winner Reigns.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Fastlane on February 22, Big Show, Rollins and Kane defeated Dolph Ziggler, Rowan and Ryback.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show went on to win the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31 on March 29.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Extreme Rules on April 26, Big Show lost to Reigns in a Last Man Standing match.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
After a brief hiatus, Big Show returned on the June 1 episode of Raw, where he knocked out The Miz and confronted Intercontinental Champion Ryback.<ref name="raw6012015">Template:Cite web</ref> At Money in the Bank on June 14, he defeated Ryback in a title match by disqualification after The Miz attacked him.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He failed to win the title in a triple threat match at SummerSlam on August 23 and on the August 31 episode of Raw following a distraction from The Miz.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the November 9 episode of Raw, Big Show entered a 16-man tournament to crown a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion, but lost to Reigns in the first round.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the January 28, 2016 episode of SmackDown, Big Show turned face by helping Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Chris Jericho fend off The Wyatt Family, whom he, Kane and Ryback defeated on February 21 at Fastlane, but lost to in a rematch the next night on Raw.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At WrestleMania 32 on April 3, Big Show participated in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal; he faced off with Shaquille O'Neal, but they were eliminated simultaneously by several wrestlers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show and Kane's feud with the Wyatt Family ended when they defeated Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan on the April 19 episode of Main Event.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Sporadic appearances (2016–2021)
Big Show was drafted to Raw as part of the 2016 WWE draft.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At Royal Rumble on January 29, 2017, he entered at number 9, but was eliminated by Strowman.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After defeating Rusev on March 5 at Fastlane,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> he was again eliminated by Strowman in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33 on April 2.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Two weeks later on Raw, Big Show fought Strowman to a no contest after the ring collapsed when Strowman superplexed him.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show next feuded with Big Cass, but lost to him at SummerSlam on August 20.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the September 4 episode of Raw, Big Show lost to Strowman in a steel cage match, after which he was thrown through the cage by Strowman.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This was done to write Big Show off television as he required hip surgery.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His next appearance was on April 6, 2018, when he inducted his long-time friend and rival Mark Henry into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Big Show returned on the October 9 episode of SmackDown, where he lost to Randy Orton.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following week, on the 1000th episode of SmackDown, Big Show formed a short-lived alliance with The Bar (Cesaro and Sheamus) by helping them defeat The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, turning heel in the process.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This alliance ended on the November 27 episode of SmackDown, after Big Show performed a KO Punch on Cesaro backstage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following this, Big Show was written off television due to a hamstring injury.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was inactive in 2019.
On the January 6, 2020 episode of Raw, Big Show returned from injury over a year later as a face, teaming with Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe to defeat Seth Rollins and AOP via disqualification.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In a match filmed after WrestleMania 36 ended, which aired on the April 6 episode of Raw, Big Show briefly reverted to a heel after insulting and challenging newly crowned WWE Champion Drew McIntyre for his title in a losing effort.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Big Show turned face again by helping The Street Profits and The Viking Raiders fend off the group of ninjas led by Akira Tozawa on the June 15 episode of Raw.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He last wrestled in an unsanctioned match against Orton on the July 20 episode of Raw.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 22, he appeared at Survivor Series during The Undertaker's retirement ceremony.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On January 4, 2021, Wight made his final WWE appearance on the Legends Night edition of Raw.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wight and WWE parted ways the following month after it was reported the two sides were unable to agree to financial terms on a new contract.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Wight also cited "creative frustrations" and lack of ideas as reasons for his exit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
All Elite Wrestling (2021–present)
On February 24, 2021, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) announced that Big Show, under his real name, Paul Wight, had signed with the company and would be providing commentary alongside Tony Schiavone for their new YouTube series AEW Dark: Elevation, which premiered on March 15. It was also confirmed that while commentary for Elevation would be his initial role, he would also compete as an in-ring performer.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He debuted on the March 3 episode of AEW Dynamite titled The Crossroads and announced he had a "big scoop" that AEW would sign "a Hall of Fame worthy talent that is a huge surprise and a huge asset" at Revolution four days later, which was revealed to be Christian Cage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He had his first match in AEW on September 5, defeating Q. T. Marshall at All Out.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
On the November 1, 2023 episode of Dynamite, Wight made his return to television, where he was announced as a part of Jericho and Kenny Omega's tag team to face The Don Callis Family in a four-on-four Street Fight. He appeared on the stage and knocked out Kyle Fletcher.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the November 15 episode of Dynamite, Wight's team defeated The Don Callis Family.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> After a year long absence, Wight returned on November 23, 2024 at Full Gear, where he joined the commentary team for the match between Marshall and "Big Boom" A.J..<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Reception and legacy
Wight has often been compared to André the Giant throughout his career due to both suffering from acromegaly and having a similar overall body structure to André.Template:Sfnp Unlike André, who was content with his fate, Wight had surgery of the pituitary gland to halt his condition. The similarities led to WCW billing him as André's son early in his career (despite no biological relation) and WWE involving him in similar angles as André. Wight has also stated that many older fans in the Southern United States (where Wight is from and where André made his home in the United States) not aware of kayfabe have often told Wight during autograph sessions how much they "loved his father when he wrestled", even though Wight's biological father was a mechanic.<ref>WWE Photo Shoot: The Big Show WWE Network</ref> Wight would also outlive André, who died at age 46.
Wight is also well known for his frequent turns between face and heel throughout his career, to the point it has become a running gag among wrestling fans. Wrestling sites have estimated that through 2018 Wight has made approximately 34 turns since his WCW debut in 1995, four of those alone coming during his first year with the WWF.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Wight himself acknowledged that while the frequent turns may have hurt his legacy and his mystique, he was also honored with the fact that he can play both roles well and fit in wherever he is needed to put younger talent over.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Other media
Big Show has been featured in infomercials for Stacker 2 with former NASCAR drivers Kenny Wallace and Scott Wimmer, NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Elliott Sadler, retired crew chief turned Fox Sports broadcaster Jeff Hammond, and 2002, 2005, and 2011 Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart. In addition, Wight appeared on the "Thong Song" remix music video by Sisqó and Foxy Brown. Wight was featured on the game show Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?, winning $15,000 for his chosen charity, United Service Organizations. He is the only contestant to appear on two versions of the game show in two different countries. On March 31, 2012, Big Show won the first-ever Slime Wrestling World Championship at the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, defeating The Miz after throwing him into a tub of slime. In 2018, The Big Show appeared in the Wizards of the Coast's Dungeons & Dragons stream "Stream of Many Eyes Day Three - Jocks Machina" alongside Joe Manganiello, Travis Willingham, cross fit athlete Ron Mathews, and Mike Mearls as Dungeon Master.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Reggie's Prayer | Mr. Portola | |
| 1996 | Jingle All The Way | Huge Santa | |
| 1998 | McCinsey's Island | Little Snow Flake | |
| 1998 | The Waterboy | Captain Insano | |
| 2006 | Little Hercules in 3-D | Marduk | |
| 2010 | MacGruber | Brick Hughes | |
| 2010 | Knucklehead | Walter Krunk | |
| 2015 | Vendetta | Victor Abbott | |
| 2016 | Countdown | Big Show | Uncredited |
| 2017 | The Jetsons & WWE: Robo-WrestleMania! | Big Show (voice) | |
| 2019 | Fighting with My Family | Big Show | |
| 2024 | No Time to Spy: A Loud House Movie | Ham Hand (voice) |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Thunder in Paradise | Uncredited | |
| 1997 | Figure It Out | Himself | |
| 1999 | Cousin Skeeter | "Skeeter's Suplex" (Season 1, Episode 17) | |
| 1999 | Shasta McNasty | Himself | "Pilot"/"Brothers Out Land" (Season 1, Episode 1) |
| 1999 | The Unreal Story of Professional Wrestling | Himself | Documentary |
| 2000 | The Cindy Margolis Show | Himself | "Big Show" (Season 1, Episode 4) |
| 2001 | The Weakest Link | Himself | Episode: WWF Edition |
| 2000 | Saturday Night Live | Himself | Episode: "The Rock / AC/DC" |
| 2002 | TV Total | Himself | April 29 |
| 2002 | One on One | Miles | Episode: "Is It Safe?" |
| 2003–2004 | Hollywood Squares | Himself | 10 episodes |
| 2004 | Player$ | Himself | Episode: "Barenaked Players" |
| 2004 | 10 Things Every Guy Should Experience | Himself | Season 1, Episode 2 |
| 2004 | MADtv | Himself | March 13 (Season 9, Episode 18) |
| 2004 | Star Trek: Enterprise | Orion Slaver #1 | Episode: "Borderland" |
| 2005–2007 | Hogan Knows Best | Himself | Regular appearances |
| 2005 | Late Night with Conan O'Brien | Himself | |
| 2006 | Video on Trial | Himself | December 17 (Season 2, Episode 12) |
| 2007 | Hannity & Colmes | Big Show | July 2 |
| 2008 | Rome Is Burning | Himself | February 26 |
| 2009 | VH1 Top 20 Countdown | Himself | Host (March 7) |
| 2009 | Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? | Himself | Australian version |
| 2009 | Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? | Himself | American syndicated version |
| 2009 | E:60 | Big Show | Episode: "Lord of the Ring" |
| 2009 | The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien | ||
| 2009 | Dinner: Impossible | Himself | Episode: "WWE: A Mission on the Mat" |
| 2010 | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition | Himself | Episode: "Suggs Family" |
| 2010 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | Participant | June 16 (Season 2, Episode 93) |
| 2010 | Royal Pains | Donald Green | Episode: "Keeping the Faith" |
| 2010 | The 7PM Project | Himself | July 30 (Episode 264) |
| 2011; 2015 | WWE Tough Enough | Big Show | 2 episodes |
| 2011; 2013 | Supah Ninjas | Two Ton Harley | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Kids Choice Awards | Himself | Stunt driver |
| 2011 | Burn Notice | Griffin Black | Episode: "No Good Deed"<ref>Gonzalez, Sandra. (May 2, 2011) Big Time Rush (2011) himself one episode 'Burn Notice' WWE Big Show | Inside TV | EW.com Template:Webarchive. Insidetv.ew.com. Retrieved on June 8, 2011.</ref> |
| 2011 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Himself | April 6 (Season 19, Episode 124) |
| 2011 | American Country Awards | Himself | |
| 2012 | Kids Choice Awards | Himself | wrestler against The Miz |
| 2012 | Larry King Now | Himself/Guest | "WWE Superstars" (Season 1, Episode 52) |
| 2013 | Psych | Big Ed Dixon | Episode: "Lassie Jerky" |
| 2014 | Bonus Content | "Wizard World Atlanta 2014" (Season 2, Episode 2) | |
| 2014 | 2014 Teen Choice Awards | Himself | |
| 2016 | Lip Sync Battle | Himself/Guest | Episode "Olivia Munn vs. Kevin Hart" |
| 2017 | Conan | Himself/Guest | (Season 7, Episode 63) |
| 2017 | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Participant | (Season 4, Episode 127) |
| 2019 | Happy! | Big Pink | Recurring role |
| 2020 | The Big Show Show | Himself | Main role |
| 2020 | Nickelodeon's Unfiltered | Himself | Episode: "Pizza In Your Game Face!" |
| 2021 | Fast & Furious Spy Racers | Palindrome (voice) | Recurring role |
| 2021 | Van Helsing | Carnage | Season 4 Episode 10 |
| 2025 | Ghosts | Gorm | Season 4 Episode 11 |
Video games
| WCW Video games | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Notes | |
| 1997 | WCW vs. the World | Video game debut | |
| WCW vs. nWo: World Tour | Cover athlete | ||
| 1998 | WCW Nitro | Cover athlete | |
| WCW/nWo Revenge | |||
| 1999 | WCW/nWo Thunder | Cover athlete | |
| WWF/WWE Video games | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Notes | |
| 1999 | WWF WrestleMania 2000 | Video game debut Cover athlete | |
| 2000 | WWF SmackDown! | ||
| WWF Royal Rumble | |||
| 2001 | WWF With Authority! | ||
| WWF SmackDown! Just Bring It | |||
| 2002 | WWF Raw | ||
| WWE WrestleMania X8 | |||
| WWE SmackDown! Shut Your Mouth | |||
| 2003 | WWE Crush Hour | ||
| WWE WrestleMania XIX | |||
| WWE Raw 2 | |||
| WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain | |||
| 2004 | WWE Day of Reckoning | ||
| WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw | |||
| 2005 | WWE WrestleMania 21 | ||
| WWE Day of Reckoning 2 | |||
| WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 | |||
| 2006 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 | ||
| 2008 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 | ||
| 2009 | WWE Legends of WrestleMania | Importable character | |
| WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 | |||
| 2010 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 | Cover athlete | |
| 2011 | WWE All Stars | ||
| WWE '12 | |||
| 2012 | WWE WrestleFest | ||
| WWE '13 | |||
| 2013 | WWE 2K14 | ||
| 2014 | WWE SuperCard | ||
| WWE 2K15 | |||
| 2015 | WWE Immortals | ||
| WWE 2K | |||
| WWE 2K16 | |||
| 2016 | WWE 2K17 | ||
| 2017 | WWE Champions | ||
| WWE 2K18 | |||
| 2018 | WWE 2K19 | ||
| 2019 | WWE 2K20 | ||
| 2020 | WWE 2K Battlegrounds | ||
| AEW Video games | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Notes | |
| 2023 | AEW Fight Forever | AEW Video game debut | |
Personal life
Wight married his first wife, Melissa Piavis, in 1997.<ref name="Sportskeeda">Template:Cite web</ref> They separated in 2000 and their divorce was finalized in 2002.<ref name="Sportskeeda"/> Together, they have a daughter.<ref name="Sportskeeda"/> In 2002, he married his second wife, Bess Katramados.<ref name="Sportskeeda"/>
For many years, Wight has been an active supporter of the Special Olympics, including the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games in New Jersey, where he participated in the opening ceremony. He was later named WWE Goodwill Ambassador for the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles, California.<ref name="SpecialOlympics">Template:Cite web</ref> Since 2018, he has served as a global ambassador for Special Olympics International.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Legal issues
Wight was arrested in December 1998 by the Memphis Police Department for allegedly exposing himself to a female motel employee who was the front desk clerk at a hotel in Memphis, Tennessee. The charge though was subsequently dropped due to insufficient evidence.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
In March 1999, Wight was charged with assault by Robert Sawyer, who alleged that Wight had broken his jaw during the summer of 1998 in the course of an altercation at Marriott Hotels & Resorts in Uniondale, New York. Wight claimed that Sawyer had verbally abused, threatened and shoved him, and that he had responded by punching Sawyer. After three days, Judge Thomas Feinman delivered a verdict of not guilty.<ref name="Powell">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Powell2">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Powell3">Template:Cite web</ref>
Championships and accomplishments
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Rookie of the Year (1996)<ref name=CageAwards>Big Show, Awards. Cagematch.de. Retrieved on December 24, 2012.</ref>
- Wrestler of the Year (1996)<ref name=CageAwards/>
- Ranked No. 2 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the year in the PWI 500 in 1996<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Ranked No. 137 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003
- World Championship Wrestling
- WCW World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)<ref>WCW World Heavyweight Championship history. WWE.com. Retrieved on December 24, 2012.</ref>
- WCW World Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Lex Luger (1), Sting (1), and Scott Hall (1)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- World War 3 (1996)
- World Wrestling Federation/World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
- WWF/E Championship (2 times)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- World Heavyweight Championship (2 times)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- ECW World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)<ref name="WWE ECW title">Template:Cite web</ref>
- WWE Intercontinental Championship (1 time)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- WWF/E Hardcore Championship (3 times)<ref>WWE Hardcore Championship history. WWE.com. Retrieved on December 24, 2012.</ref>
- WWE United States Championship (1 time)<ref>Big Show's first United States Championship reign Template:Webarchive. WWE.com. Retrieved on December 24, 2012.</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- WWE Tag Team Championship (3 times) – with Chris Jericho (1), The Miz (1), and Kane (1)<ref>WWE Tag Team Championship history. WWE.com. Retrieved on December 24, 2012.</ref>
- WWF/World Tag Team Championship (5 times) – with The Undertaker (2), Kane (1), Chris Jericho (1), and The Miz (1)
- Brisbane Cup (2010)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- André the Giant Memorial Trophy (2015)
- Bragging Rights Trophy (2010) – With Team SmackDown Template:Small
- 24th Triple Crown Champion
- 12th Grand Slam Champion
- Slammy Award (5 times)
- Tag Team of the Year (2009) – Template:Small<ref>The Slammy Awards 2009. Prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved on December 24, 2012.</ref>
- Holy $#!+ Move of the Year (2011) – Template:Small<ref>The Slammy Awards 2011. Prowrestlinghistory.com. Retrieved on December 24, 2012.</ref>
- Betrayal of the Year (2012) – Template:Small
- "This is Awesome" Moment of the Year (2013) – Template:Small
- Match of the Year (2014) – Template:Small
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Most Embarrassing Wrestler (2002)Template:Sfnp
- Rookie of the Year (1996)Template:Sfnp
- Best Gimmick (1996) – nWo
- Feud of the Year (1996) New World Order vs. World Championship Wrestling
- Worst Feud of the Year (1999) Template:SmallTemplate:Sfnp
- Worst Feud of the Year (2013) Template:SmallTemplate:Sfnp
- Worst Wrestler (2001, 2002)Template:Sfnp
References
Bibliography
External links
Template:Paul Wight Template:Navboxes Template:Authority control
- Pages with broken file links
- 1972 births
- Living people
- 20th-century male professional wrestlers
- 21st-century male professional wrestlers
- All Elite Wrestling personnel
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- World Tag Team Champions (WWE, 1971–2010)
- World Tag Team Champions (WWE)
- Wichita State University alumni