Rumours continue to persist that CM Punk and Daniel Bryan have signed with All Elite Wrestling, and it appears their debuts are imminent. Ultimately, regardless of whether one or both prove to be "All Elite," it will be a game-changer for AEW, and a major blow to WWE at a time when they continue to struggle with ratings.
Earlier this week, we spoke to Paul Wight (FKA The Big Show) about his role in Netflix's Fast & Furious: Spy Racers South Pacific. The show returns on August 13, but while we had Paul on the phone, we had to ask for his thoughts on these rumblings about Punk and Bryan's potential future with AEW.
"I’m excited about it. I don’t really know. I’ve heard, of course, some backstage scuttlebutt. I’m friends with Daniel Bryan and CM Punk both. I think if either one of those guys made a serious commitment to come to AEW, they would blow the roof off the industry," Wight tells us. "I think both those guys are incredible talents and they have a lot to offer any company that they join."
"Both of them will fit and like how they’re treated much more in AEW than they will anywhere else. There’s a lot more freedom for guys like Daniel Bryan and CM Punk to really excel and give the fans what they love most about them," he continued. "There’s very little micromanaging in AEW. There’s a lot of trust in your professionalism and knowing who you are as a talent and what you bring to the table. There’s a lot of freedom to really amplify that and bring out the most for the fans. Personally, from where I’m sitting, I think it would be an incredible opportunity for Phil and Daniel to come here to AEW. If they do, that’s fantastic."
Wight may be calling the action on AEW Dark: Elevation, but he does plan to step back into the ring. As a result, he has another reason to be excited about seeing Punk and Bryan in AEW.
"The fans are excited and they want to see them, so like most of the fans, I’m sitting back with bated breath to see what happens. I’m more than happy to chokeslam or chop or knock out either one of those two guys [Laughs]. I’m looking forward to the opportunity too! [Laughs]"
Needless to say, it's impossible not to be excited about what could happen in AEW over the next six weeks or so, and in the case of Punk, there have been enough teases for us to be confident that's happening. Fans in Chicago won't be happy if it doesn't, but something tells us Tony Khan doesn't plan to disappoint them or us.
As for Paul Wight, his in-ring return can't come soon enough. Of course, if you can't wait until then, we'd suggest checking him out kicking ass as Palindrome in Fast & Furious: Spy Racers South Pacific. Check out the trailer for the upcoming season below: