Paul Wight Discusses Differences Between AEW And WWE, Tony Khan Not Believing In The Fourth Wall

Before joining AEW in 2021, Wight spent over two decades with WWE where he was one of the top stars at various points in his career and filled multiple spots on television. 

Wight still wrestles on occasion in AEW and has done commentary for AEW shows on YouTube. 

In promoting AEW Dynamite in Albany, Wight explained to WNYT the differences between AEW and WWE. 

“It’s different in the fact that it’s wrestling oriented. Both companies say that, but there is a difference in how things are presented. WWE does an amazing job in presenting things in this big entertainment spectacle. It’s a giant production. AEW gets to the grassroots. We still have incredible production and an incredible production team. It’s not so much backstage drama and backstage vignettes. The fourth wall, so to speak, Tony Khan doesn’t like that fourth wall. He doesn’t like that, ‘why is there a camera there catching this conversation and both participants ignore that there is a camera crew there while they are talking top secret information.’ It’s one of those things that throws you off. If there is a camera there, it’s set up in a way that makes sense for a camera to be backstage, but it’s more focused on the talent in the ring,” he said. 

Wight noted that only John Cena was really allowed to break the fourth wall in WWE and praised the likes of Dante Martin for his ability and athleticism in the ring. 

Wight last wrestled in March on AEW Dark: Elevation. Fightful will have live coverage of AEW Dynamite in Albany beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday. 

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