Paul Wight on His AEW & Wrestling Career Future and His Post In-Ring Career Plans

A recent episode of the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast featured Paul Wight as the guest. One of the topics discussed included Wight’s thoughts about the future of his AEW and in-ring wrestling career.

“I’m feeling real good. I think my main thing now is, I understand there’s a short window left. And listen, I’m not in any way, shape or form delusional that I’m going to go out and compete for championships and pull the wagon. Those days are done,” Wight said. “And you have to [understand] reality. And also in fairness to the younger talent that’s digging and striving now, they don’t need to see my ass every week, taking up TV time and ring time.

There’s nothing I can do that’s going to make my career any bigger or better. All I can do is enjoy some of the last years that I have under contract with AEW, and hopefully have some fun with some of the younger talent, and teach them some of the lessons that have been passed down to me. And just have a little bit of fun. I’m in a really good spot. I’ve got a good boss that believes in me, supports me, and gives me an opportunity to be a part of the business I love.”

Wight also gave his thoughts about his preparations and goals for a potential in-ring return in AEW.

“I think for me to get back in the ring and compete, I’m going to have to be a certain level,” Wight said. “I’ll never be what I was. I’ve got two fake knees and two hips. The proprioception is different. The connection between your joints is different. You feel different as an athlete. So I have to accept — what am I now? And does that enhance the product that I’m doing? Sure, I’m smart enough and old enough. There are certain things that I can do that will still give a little kickback to nostalgia, will still look like a big dangerous giant that is my character, and teach. But at the same time, if it looks like, ‘Oh, put a bullet in,’ well, I’m not going to do that. So that’s what all this hard work now is. Okay, what’s the one thing that I can really control? That’s conditioning and weight. I don’t need to be 500 pounds anymore. I need to be about 350. I’m 386 right now.”

Wight also gave his thoughts about his main focus being more on having fun instead of wanting a storybook ending for his wrestling career if he does make an in-ring return in the future.

“I know there’s a big current thing where everybody wants to write their story, which I’m so sick of hearing. Not everybody gets a story. I may not get a story. I may not get a retirement match. I’m very real about this of — I have to do certain things and hold myself accountable to get to a position so that I can compete for fun. For no other reason other than I want to have fun in the ring.”

Wight also gave his thoughts about his current plans in wrestling after his retirement from his in-ring career.

“Unless there’s a bunch of giants around that need coaching. Listen, there are great talents that are great at coaching. I don’t see myself as a trainer. To me, Billy Gunn is a great trainer. He understands the mechanics and is really good at teaching. He’s amazing at teaching.

I’m more like grandpa. I tell some good stories, make you laugh, and the hazards of don’t do this and don’t do that.”

Transcript h/t: F4WOnline.com