On a recent edition of the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, AEW wrestler Paul Wight shared his experience of visiting the WCW locker room for the first time.
Wight noted that wrestlers backstage were afraid that he was a mob enforcer who was there to collect funds.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On the first time he went into the WCW locker room: “When I first went to WCW, I met Hulk Hogan at a charity basketball game, who had me come to their show in Chicago to meet the then-booker, Ric Flair. And Jimmy Hart, he just took me into the locker room.”
On what the experience was like: “I had a trench coat on, my hair’s long, I’m dressed in the Chicago winter. So, I go into this locker room and I am freaking out on the inside. Oh, my God, there’s Paul Orndorff, there’s Arn Anderson, there’s Sting. I’m just trying to play it cool.”
On how wrestlers thought Wight was a mob enforcer there to collect money: “Meanwhile, Arn Anderson thinks that one of the guys owes the mob money and thinks I’m here to get it. So, he’s telling Paul Orndorff and Paul Orndorff has his buck knife in his bag in case things go bad.”
In a recent episode of the “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, AEW wrestler Paul Wight, formerly known as The Big Show in WWE, shared an interesting anecdote about his first visit to the WCW locker room. Wight revealed that upon entering the locker room, he was met with suspicion and fear from his fellow wrestlers.
Wight recalled that his introduction to the WCW locker room came about through a meeting with wrestling legend Hulk Hogan at a charity basketball game. Hogan invited Wight to the WCW show in Chicago to meet the then-booker, Ric Flair. Accompanied by Jimmy Hart, Wight nervously entered the locker room for the first time.
Describing his appearance at the time, Wight mentioned that he was wearing a trench coat, had long hair, and was dressed for the Chicago winter. As he stepped into the locker room, he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by the presence of wrestling icons such as Paul Orndorff, Arn Anderson, and Sting. Despite his excitement, Wight tried his best to remain composed and not show his inner fanboy.
However, little did Wight know that his unique appearance had caused some confusion and suspicion among his fellow wrestlers. Arn Anderson, in particular, mistakenly believed that one of his colleagues owed money to the mob and assumed that Wight was there to collect it. Concerned about a potential confrontation, Anderson informed Paul Orndorff about his suspicions and even had a buck knife in his bag as a precautionary measure.
Unaware of the misunderstanding taking place behind the scenes, Wight continued to navigate the locker room, completely oblivious to the fact that some of his peers were on high alert due to their mistaken belief about his intentions.
This amusing anecdote from Wight’s early days in WCW highlights the unique dynamics and occasional misunderstandings that can occur within the world of professional wrestling. It also sheds light on the initial challenges Wight faced as a newcomer, trying to establish himself in a locker room filled with wrestling legends.
Fortunately, the situation was eventually cleared up, and Wight went on to have a successful career in both WCW and WWE before joining All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2021. Today, he continues to entertain fans with his larger-than-life persona and impressive in-ring abilities.
Wight’s story serves as a reminder that even the biggest names in wrestling had their fair share of nerve-wracking and humorous experiences when they first entered the industry. It also showcases the camaraderie and mutual respect that exists among wrestlers, as they quickly realized their mistake and welcomed Wight into the fold.
As fans, it’s always fascinating to hear these behind-the-scenes stories that provide a glimpse into the world of professional wrestling. They remind us that even though wrestling may be scripted, the emotions, relationships, and unexpected moments are very much real.