AEW’s Paul Wight, best known as The Big Show during his WWE tenure, has weighed in on a long-running debate among wrestling fans, naming the three strongest performers he ever shared a ring with during his time in WWE.
Speaking on a 2016 episode of Table for Three on the WWE Network, Big Show selected Mark Henry, John Cena, and Kane as the most powerful wrestlers in company history. While all three are widely recognised for their size and strength, Wight explained that his criteria went far beyond raw lifting ability.
According to Wight, true strength in professional wrestling is about functional power, balance, and stability, especially when working with larger opponents. He noted that many wrestlers can move heavy weights in the gym, but not all can safely lift, carry, or control another human being in the ring.
“My tops are Mark Henry, John Cena, and Kane,” Wight said. “When I go by strength, it’s guys you work with in the ring and their stability. There are a lot of strong guys that can throw around a lot of weight, but they’re not functionally strong in holding you or carrying you. And I know from people picking me up in the past who had me.”
Henry’s reputation as “The World’s Strongest Man” was built on legitimate powerlifting and Olympic lifting success, while Cena consistently impressed peers with his conditioning and explosive strength. Kane, meanwhile, combined size, agility, and raw power, making him a uniquely reliable presence for opponents of all sizes.
Coming from one of the largest athletes in wrestling history, Wight’s assessment carries significant weight.
When Did The Big Show Leave WWE?
“The Big Show”, Paul Wight, officially left WWE in January 2021 after his contract expired. His departure ended a legendary run with the company that stretched back to 1999, making him one of the longest-tenured performers in WWE history.
Shortly after leaving WWE, Wight signed with All Elite Wrestling, where he debuted on the March 3 episode of Dynamite. In AEW, he transitioned into a limited in-ring role while also working as a commentator and backstage contributor, marking the next chapter of his wrestling career after more than two decades under the WWE banner.
