On a recent edition of the “Talk is Jericho” podcast, AEW veteran Paul Wight recalled working with Hornswoggle at several WWE live events.
Wight remembered the spot where he would deliver his signature KO Punch while Hornswoggle would try to sneak attack him.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On the live event spot: “Hornswoggle and I used to do a spot on the live events where he would come into the ring and he would try to attack me, and I would just turn around and KO Punch him from above, and he would f**king lay there dead.”
On the spot getting a different reaction than intended: “It wasn’t getting the reaction like: ‘Oh yay!’ It was like: ‘Is he really dead?’ Everybody just goes, ‘Did we just witness a crime?’ We get to TV Monday and they’re like: yeah, you can’t do that spot with Hornswoggle anymore. It’s too much. I’m like ‘in this f**king company it’s too much? REALLY?’”
In a recent episode of the “Talk is Jericho” podcast, AEW veteran Paul Wight, also known as The Big Show, shared some interesting anecdotes about working with Hornswoggle at WWE live events. Wight reminisced about a particular spot they used to perform, which involved him delivering his signature KO Punch while Hornswoggle attempted to sneak attack him.
During the live events, Wight and Hornswoggle would engage in a comedic sequence where the latter would enter the ring and try to launch a surprise attack on Wight. However, Wight would swiftly turn around and deliver his powerful KO Punch from above, causing Hornswoggle to fall to the ground and play dead.
While this spot was intended to be humorous, it often received a different reaction from the audience than expected. Instead of laughter or excitement, the crowd would react with shock and concern. Wight humorously described the audience’s response as if they were witnessing a crime rather than enjoying a scripted wrestling performance.
Surprisingly, when Wight and Hornswoggle brought this spot to television tapings, they were informed by WWE officials that they could no longer perform it. The company deemed the spot too intense for their programming. Wight expressed his disbelief at this decision, considering the many outrageous and over-the-top moments that have occurred in WWE history.
The incident highlights the delicate balance that professional wrestlers must navigate when it comes to entertaining their audience. While wrestling is known for its scripted nature and suspension of disbelief, there are still boundaries that need to be respected to ensure the safety and well-being of the performers and maintain a positive image for the company.
Despite the spot being discontinued, Wight’s recollection of working with Hornswoggle serves as a reminder of the creativity and improvisation that takes place behind the scenes in professional wrestling. It also sheds light on the unpredictable reactions that can arise from even the most well-rehearsed and planned segments.
Overall, Wight’s story offers a glimpse into the world of professional wrestling and the challenges that performers face in creating memorable moments for their audience. It serves as a testament to the dedication and passion that wrestlers like Wight and Hornswoggle bring to their craft, even in the face of unexpected reactions and ever-changing creative directions.