Paul Wight has spoken with remarkable honesty about where he is in his career, saying he is fully aware that he may not receive a retirement match and that all of his current work is motivated purely by his desire to compete for fun before his window closes.
Speaking on Insight With Chris Van Vliet, Wight pushed back against the prevailing narrative in wrestling that every performer deserves a curated farewell while also being clear that he is not wallowing in self-pity but rather working harder than ever from a place of genuine love for the business.
“I know there is a big current thing where everybody wants to write their story, which I am so sick of hearing,” Wight said. “Not everybody gets a story. I may not get a story. I may not get a retirement match. I am 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 also addressed what he sees as his role going forward, making clear he has no illusions about competing at the top of the card or taking time away from younger talent who are building their own careers. “I am not in any way, shape or form delusional that I am going to go out and compete for championships and pull the wagon,” Wight said. “Those days are done. There is nothing I can do that is 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 put a personal spin on why he is pushing himself so hard despite having no external pressure to do so. “I could sit at home and play video games,” Wight said. “But I am doing this because I know what this means to me and I know how important it is to me in here.”
Wight also noted that seeing old giants like Andre the Giant die at 46 gives him a particular appreciation for still being alive and active at 54. “I am already eight years older than Andre when Andre passed away,” Wight said. “It is fascinating because I do not feel my age in my brain.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Insight With Chris Van Vliet with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
