Paul Wight Discusses Differences In Freedom Between WWE And AEW

For close to three months, former multi-organizational World champion Paul Wight has lent his expertise to AEW as color commentator on the YouTube series Dark: Elevation. The former Big Show has now experienced the creative process in both of the United States' top two promotions.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio ahead of Double or Nothing, Wight was asked about WWE's hiring of non-wrestling personalities as broadcasters (e.g. Adnan Virk and Jimmy Smith). The question allowed Wight to segue into discussing the pressure that talent feels working for each major organization.

“If you’ve never done wrestling before, you’re not going to have a preconceived idea of what’s right and what’s wrong,” said Wight. “And then the guy that is running the entire show has what he wants presented put on air. And hell, the dude’s paying the bills. You can say what you want to, but that’s one of the things that’s a little bit different about Tony is Tony literally gives the talent freedom to sink or swim. He gives them all the opportunities to get over and to be successful, but there’s no pressure to make a mistake.

“We all make mistakes, it’s how we learn. But being able to make a mistake, recognize the mistake and get over that mistake and move forward is very critical in a younger talent’s career I think. Because sometimes they’ll hold onto something much longer than they should have. Having that freedom like ‘okay I made a mistake. It’s not like I’m going to be taken out back and flogged for making a mistake.' It’s a much more creative environment.”

(Credit to Wrestling Inc for transcription)