Paul Wight has revealed that one of the most memorable celebrity matches in WrestleMania history almost looked completely different.
Speaking with Gareth A Davies, Wight explained that the original plan for the Floyd Mayweather angle was a tag team match rather than the celebrated singles bout that took place at WrestleMania 24. Injuries to two of the intended participants forced a complete rethink of the concept.
“That angle came about, just not meaning to cut you off, but originally that was supposed to be a tag. It was supposed to be Floyd Mayweather and I against Batista and Rey Mysterio, and in the events leading up before we launched that angle, Rey and Dave both got hurt. I think Dave tore a bicep or a lat and Rey did something. So then it was brought to me, ‘Hey, would you consider working Floyd in a singles match?’ I’m like, ‘At WrestleMania?’ At the time, he’s the hottest boxer on the planet. Absolutely, 100%, I’m in, whatever we need to do,” Wight said.
The match came about after Mayweather broke Wight’s nose at No Way Out earlier in 2008, with the two then colliding at WrestleMania 24 in Orlando. Mayweather won by knockout, having used brass knuckles to deliver the finishing blow.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Gareth A Davies with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
