Big Show is hunting for a comeback

It is May 4th, and for some reason, the wrestling discourse is circling back to 1999. Paul Wight—yes, the man who chokeslammed everyone from Hulk Hogan to a literal Big Boss Man at WrestleMania XV—is talking about an in-ring return. As reported by WrestleTalk, the seven-foot veteran confirmed he is not hanging up the boots just yet. He is currently under the AEW banner, shifting between commentary duties and the occasional physical spot, but he clearly wants to lace them up one more time.

Listen, I respect the hustle. We all have that one friend who refuses to stop playing pickup basketball despite blowing out their knee every summer. But let’s be real about the utility of a Paul Wight return in 2026. The current AEW roster is packed with high-flyers who move at the speed of light. Asking a man of his stature to keep pace with the modern style is a recipe for a medical report nobody wants to read.

Dream matches or booking nightmares?

Wight has been vocal about his dream opponents, but the logistics are murky at best. There is a glaring gap between the athleticism required to keep a modern television audience engaged and what a veteran of that size can physically provide without taking massive risks. Every time a legends-tier talent steps back into the squared circle, we hold our breath for the wrong reasons.

We have already seen how difficult it is to balance classic big-man psychology with the current frantic pace. If the plan is just a one-off spectacle, fine. If the plan is a sustained run in the mid-card, someone needs to step in and check the booking sheet. It feels like a vanity trip when the promotion could be using that time to build the next generation of giants who can actually move.

The quiet exit: The Kelly Kincaid reality check

While Wight is talking up a comeback, Kelly Kincaid is signaling the door is closed. It is a sobering reminder that for every big-name star eyeing one final payday, there are performers choosing to walk away from the circus entirely. It’s hard to blame her. When you look at the grueling road life and the constant roster instability, the exit strategy looks more like an act of self-preservation.

We are just five days out from Backlash, and the contrast between these two stories is jarring. You have the veterans who cannot let go and the talented workers realizing that life exists outside the confines of the squared circle. It’s a messy, beautiful, and occasionally tragic industry.

Meanwhile, in Japan, the United Empire is thriving

While we debate the merits of a Wight return, the actual ring work is still happening elsewhere. Will Ospreay just jumped back into NJPW action at Wrestling Dontaku. He teamed up with Great-O-Khan and HENARE to secure a win against Bishamon, walking away with the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Titles.

That is the kind of meaningful, high-octane wrestling that actually moves the needle in 2026. Ospreay’s ability to balance his commitments is legitimately impressive. If Wight needs a blueprint for how to stay relevant while keeping a full-time schedule, he should look at how Ospreay manages his workload. That 3-man tag team finish was crisp, decisive, and exactly what the fans wanted to see in Fukuoka.

At the end of the day, wrestling is a business of cycles. We are currently in a period where everyone wants back in, but only a few know how to do it gracefully. Paul Wight has a Hall of Fame career already in the books. Adding a few more messy matches to the tally does not change his legacy, but it might just put a dent in the quality of the weekly product.

Let’s hope the creative team has the backbone to use him sparingly. Or better yet, let’s leave the ring to the guys currently dropping those 25-minute classics that leave us breathless. I’m rooting for the man, but I’m rooting for the product more.