Vince McMahon Pulled WWE Superstar From Oscar-Winning Film

Former WWE Superstar Paul Wight, who used to be known as the Big Show in WWE, spent over two decades in the company before he decided to take his skills elsewhere. Wight eventually made his way to AEW, much to the surprise of the pro wrestling world. It seems Vince McMahon prevented Wight from starring in an Oscar-winning film.

Paul Wight is certainly happy in his role as a commentator at AEW Dark: Elevation and is also to make his in-ring debut soon at All Out against QT Marshall. He still remembers his time in WWE, for better or worse.

While speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Paul Wight revealed that he was forced to turn down several acting roles in various films while working in WWE and this included 2000’s Gladiator, where he could have acted in a huge role.

“There were so many projects I couldn’t do because of the WWE schedule. When I first signed with WWE… Nick Cage was trying to hook me up with this Russel Crowe movie. But it was being shot in Spain I would have to be in Spain for 6 weeks for it. But I’m thinking ‘Russell Crowe is going to be a star, Nick Cage wants me, I’ve got it.’ I go to ask Vince and he says, ‘I’m paying you to be a wrestler, not an actor’… There wasn’t as much crossover in the wrestling business then. For a while, WWE was very against wrestlers crossing over into movies. Then eventually they got into the program,” 

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Wight also noted how AEW wrestlers are not cogs in a machine similar to how it is in WWE and he is very grateful for that as Wight feels lucky to be working in AEW.

Paul Wight also previously revealed that he wants a brand new look with AEW ring gear and it is certain fans will get to see that at AEW All Out.

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