Arizona Bulletin

Known for his towering presence and immense strength, Big Show has earned his place as one of the most dominant figures in professional wrestling. Standing over seven feet tall, he has held multiple championships across WCW, WWE, and ECW, cementing his legacy as a seven-time world champion. Beyond the wrestling ring, his charisma and talent have landed him roles in movies and TV shows, making him a well-known face both inside and outside of wrestling. Whether competing in high-stakes matches or taking on acting roles, Big Show continues to be a larger-than-life figure in the world of entertainment​.

Early Life

Big Show, whose real name is Paul Wight, was born on February 8, 1972, in Aiken, South Carolina. He experienced significant growth during his childhood, which eventually led to being diagnosed with acromegaly, a condition that causes abnormal growth of bones and tissues. This condition caused Big Show to grow rapidly at a young age, which contributed to his impressive stature later in life. By age twelve, he was already over six feet tall. Eventually, he underwent surgery to correct his condition, which helped stabilize his growth rate.

Regarding his education, Big Show attended Wyman King Academy in South Carolina during his high school years, where he participated in various sports, including basketball and American football. Later, he enrolled at Northern Oklahoma Junior College, where he continued playing basketball. Afterward, he transferred to Wichita State University, where he continued his passion for basketball, using his size and athleticism to excel on the team. Big Show's physical prowess and presence made him stand out in both basketball and wrestling, eventually leading him toward his professional wrestling career​.

Career

Big Show, whose real name is Paul Wight, is an iconic professional wrestler known for his massive size and remarkable agility. Wight's wrestling career began after he struggled with a condition called acromegaly, which caused him to grow at an accelerated rate. By age 12, he was already 6'2" and over 220 pounds.

Wight first made a name for himself in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1995, where he was known as The Giant. In his debut, he claimed a major victory over Hulk Hogan at Halloween Havoc, winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. During his time in WCW, he also had memorable feuds with legends like Kevin Nash and was part of the famous New World Order (nWo) faction​.

In 1999, he joined the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) (later WWE) and took on the ring name Big Show. His debut in the WWF saw him join Vince McMahon's The Corporation and later win the WWF Championship at the Survivor Series in 1999. Throughout his WWE career, Big Show captured multiple championships, including the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, and the ECW World Heavyweight Championship. He became one of the few wrestlers to achieve Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion status​.

Big Show's career is also marked by his versatility, playing both villain (heel) and hero (face) roles over the years. He is known for his finishing moves, including the Chokeslam and the KO Punch. Beyond wrestling, Big Show has appeared in movies like The Waterboy and starred in his own Netflix sitcom, The Big Show Show​.

After over two decades with WWE, Big Show transitioned to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2021, where he has taken on roles as both a wrestler and a commentator​.

Wife

Big Show, also known as Paul Donald Wight II, has been married to Bess Katramados since February 11, 2002. Bess is a former model who met Big Show during his first marriage to Melissa Ann Piavis. After Big Show's divorce from Melissa in 2002, he quickly married Bess in 2002, and they have been together ever since. She has played a significant role in Big Show's life beyond being his wife, often serving as his personal trainer and providing support during his wrestling career. Although Bess had a career in modeling, she left it behind to focus on family life after their marriage​.

Children

Big Show (Paul Wight), the famous wrestler, has three children from two marriages. Cierra Wight, his daughter from his first marriage to Melissa Ann Piavis, was born on November 28, 1998. His two younger children, Jett Wight and Cash Wight, are from his second marriage to Bess Katramados. Jett was born on June 19, 2007, and Cash was born on December 8, 2010.

Net Worth

As of 2024, Big Show, whose real name is Paul Wight, has an estimated net worth of $20 million. This wealth comes from his long career as a professional wrestler, along with income from acting roles in movies and TV shows. He gained fame in WWE and WCW, winning numerous championships, and later transitioned to acting with appearances in films like The Waterboy and the Netflix series The Big Show Show. His wealth also comes from brand endorsements and merchandise sales​.