The Big Show News

Now that he's back in the WWE, looks like The Big Show is in line for a major push. With that in mind, here's a photo tribute to the giant:

According Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, Paul Wight - aka The Big Show - has signed a new deal with World Wrestling Entertainment.

Wight is said to be in excellent shape (losing weight and improving his back problems) since his departure from the company in December of 2006. This would add a needed volt of excitement to the roster, now that the fervor over Chris Jericho coming back has died down.

If true, who do you think The Big Show should feud with upon his return?

Thursday's edition of the Palm Beach Post features comments from an employee of a Tampa medical clinic, who alleges that WWE wrestlers purchased drugs from the facility.

In 2003, Lordsofpain.net reports, authorities arrested John Todd Miller, who they alleged posed as a doctor and supplied wrestlers, law enforcement officers and businessmen with anabolic steroids. The case was thrown out due to a lack of evidence.

Misty Waldo, who was employed by the clinic, says she shipped overnight "packages" to Big Show and Ric Flair in 2003. Waldo said that upon starting the job, she was informed that professional wrestlers frequented the clinic.

Investigators did not reveal what drugs were in the packages she allegedly shipped to Flair and Big Show. Neither of the accused customers had commented on the story at press time.

An ABC news affiliate out of Memphis is reporting that the following superstars will appear at the April 27th Hulk Hogan vs. Jerry Lawler event at the Fed Ex Forum:

“The Giant Paul Wight” (formerly The Big Show in WWE), Bill Dundee, The Rock N' Roll Express, Greg Valentine, Brutus Beefcake, Jimmy Hart, Jim Cornette, The Barbarian, Jimmy Valiant, Brian Christopher, Koko B. Ware, and Abdullah the Butcher.

This will be The Big Show’s first appearance since leaving WWE after his contract expired. The event is titled "PMG Clash of Legends”; tickets will go on sale this Saturday, April 14th and are priced at $62, $47, $37 and $22.

The Pro Wrestling Torch is reporting that Paul "The Big Show" Wight's contract with WWE expired just a few days ago. As previously reported, Wight was offered a six-figure "intellectual property" offer where WWE would retain the rights to his likeness to be used in any project. Wight turned that offer down.

Because he turned the offer down, it sparked rumors that TNA Wrestling could be an option for him down the line. As of now, he isn't expected to sign with the company any time soon and is currenty involved in a project that will be announced before the summer.

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

Aside from his back and knee problems, The Big Show also has an abdominal hernia that needs surgery.

It’s not a done deal regarding Wrestlemania 23 yet, but the feeling is that he will be doing the show. Big Show’s contract expires in February and he will be a free agent when the event comes around. Hulk Hogan and Big Show are friends and may do something of a big package deal together for Vince if he wants the rumored match between the pair

Despite the rumors, right now TNA Wrestling is under the impression that Big Show will likely never be working with them.

With The Big Show losing the ECW Title to Bobby Lashley at the December to Dismember PPV this Sunday, it marks another sign that his WWE career is close to finished.

The Big Show has reportedly indicated to WWE management that he needs time off for physical problems (mostly his back) and that it'is very unlikely he will return to resume a full-time schedule.

His contract expires in February.

At this point in the superstar's life, he's said to be financially set. He's also aware of the physical dangers traveling and eating as he does can have on a man his size.

Down the line, it's possible The Big Show may be wiling to work a part-time schedule; which does leave open the chance he could jump to TNA Wrestling at some point.

The Big Show was recently featured in a story from The Aiken Standard. It focused on his return to Augusta, GA for the upcoming ECW pay-per-view. Here's a paraphrased excerpt:

To professional wrestling fans, the Big Show is one of the biggest, baddest beasts in the ring.

But away from the cameras and cheering crowds, the man behind the "Show" – 7-foot-tall, 507-pound Aiken native Paul Wight – is a soft-spoken Southern boy-made-good who hasn't forgotten his small-town roots.

"From very, very humble beginnings to now traveling the world and being a superstar, it's crazy," said Wight, 34, nursing a coffee in his mammoth hands following a promotional appearance Monday at Augusta's James Brown Arena.

Wight, in character as the villainous Big Show, will headline an Extreme Championship Wrestling pay-per-view broadcast live from Augusta this Sunday, Dec. 3. ECW's December to Dismember begins at 7:45 p.m.

Tickets start at $20 and are available at the arena box office or at www.ticketmaster.com.

For the current World Champion in ECW – an edgier offshoot of Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Entertainment – this weekend's performance will mark an emotional homecoming after more than a dozen years as one of wrestling's most recognized (and sometimes reviled) road warriors.

"It's going to be awesome. It's really an overwhelming feeling of pride," Wight said. "I'm a 'bad guy' now, so I can't really vocalize how much this means to me to represent and put on the best show that we absolutely can for our fans. But I'm really hoping that all my friends from Aiken will come over here and check it out – come out and boo me."

To read the rest of the article, click here.

These aren't exactly new stories. In fact, they're almost as old as any storyline pitting the owner against a wrestler (can you hear us, Vince McMahon?).

Nevertheless, we wanted to give fans a glimpse of a few of their favorite stars outside the ring. And almost behind bars. Take a look at these mugshots:

Charges were dropped against The Big Show back in 1998, after he allegedly exposed himself to a female motel employee. Maybe that's where the ECW Champion's rage comes from. DX may feel it at Unforgiven.

Similarly, a case was never presented against Brock Lesnar for distributing steroids in 2001. Still, the big man was booked on the charges. Now? We just want him to return to a WWE ring.

Ric Flair doesn't look too happy. Would you, after being arrested last year on misdemeanor charges of assault? This angle was then used in a storyline with Mick Foley.