Paul Wight Talks Talent Development In AEW, Says The Acclaimed Made The Most Out Of Every Opportunity

Paul Wight discusses the development of younger talent in AEW.

Wight, who joined AEW in 2021, has been along the ride with the company through their highest and lowest moments. Wight has also got the opportunity to see a number of stars grow in the promotion, especially during his time as a commentator on Dark: Elevation.

In a new interview with Fightful, Wight first talked about how he started off his career at a young age and how he was surrounded by much older talent. 

“This is the good stuff, man, for me. I mean, for so many years of my career, when I came into the business, I was the youngest guy by 10 or 12 years when I first started. I was 22 or 23, and the most of guys that were working and doing anything were mid-30s and early 40s. So I was really young and then over the years that has changed and I’ve seen so many talents that are incredible world renowned stars, some of them Hall of Famers, that I remember when they started off and how they came in and experienced that with them.”

Wight went on to specifically praise The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens), noting that they made the most out of every opportunity they got.

“It’s a beautiful thing to see Max Caster and Anthony Bowens on Elevation. They had so much energy. You kinda knew. Like I knew at once, if these guys keep plugging away, they get an opportunity, they’re gonna do something with it. When you see that for talent, because this business is about opportunities and making the best of those opportunities. Sometimes, you think, ‘I’m not gonna get an opportunity,’ but every time you’re in front of a crowd, that’s an opportunity. Sure, they weren’t on Dynamite and we didn’t have Rampage then. It was just Dynamite and Elevation and AEW Dark. But they took every opportunity and made the most of it. I can’t wait to hear what Max is gonna rap. I can’t wait. The place is gonna go crazy and poor Anthony Bowens is probably gonna explode ‘cause he gets so excited with the crowd. The more intense the crowd is, 80,000 people, he might explode into a cloud of dust, you know? I’m excited for the talent and they deserve it, they’ve put the work in. For me, I’m just happy to be a part of this industry, be a part of AEW and contribute however I can.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Wight talked about the differences in wrestling in an arena versus wrestling in a stadium. Fans can learn more by clicking here.

Fans can see Fightful’s full interview with Paul Wight linked above.