Paul Wight has reportedly signed a new deal with AEW, extending his backstage and mentorship role with the company for at least another stretch beyond his original 2021 contract.
Per Fightful Select, Wight’s previous AEW contract was set to expire earlier in 2026, but he has since agreed to a new deal to remain with the company. The length of the new contract is unknown, but he is described as firmly under contract.
Wight has been a contributor across multiple AEW roles since his arrival in 2021. He has done commentary on AEW Dark: Elevation, has been a backstage mentor for the younger talent, and has worked on community outreach for the company. He last wrestled in an AEW ring in November 2023 and has been undergoing a long-term weight-loss transformation since.
Wight, who recently turned 54, has publicly addressed his AEW future across multiple interviews in 2026. Speaking with Chris Evans on TFI Friday Unplugged via Virgin Radio UK earlier this month, he confirmed his intent to return to the ring at some point.
“I don’t have to do much at this stage of the game. I’m not competing for championships. I’m not pulling the wagon and working every week. I have a great opportunity with All Elite Wrestling, which has been very important to me, to help mentor some of the younger talent when they want it, tell them stories that might help them avoid some of life’s troubles, and do commentary where I can help explain what they’re doing while also helping develop their characters.”
Wight has been candid about the diminished window left in his career due to ongoing surgical interventions. He has had at least one operation every year since 2018 or 2019. Speaking on the Insight podcast in April, he framed his late-career role as wanting to have fun rather than chase a finale.
“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. 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.”
He also pushed back on the “writing your story” framing that has become common in late-career retirement angles.
“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. 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 signed his original AEW deal in February 2021 after ending a 22-year run with WWE.
