The Steve Austin Show – SAS Classic: THE BIG SHOW Part One

Original Air Date: December 30, 2025
Host: Steve Austin
Guest: Paul Wight ("The Big Show")

Episode Overview

In this classic conversation, Steve Austin and Paul Wight (Big Show) catch up from their respective home bases—Steve at the Broken Skull Ranch 2.0 outside Reno, NV, and Paul at home in Florida. The episode is a freewheeling, fun, and candid discussion about everything from near-disastrous off-roading adventures to the realities of recovery from major surgery, the quirks of pet ownership, life after (and in) the wrestling ring, passion projects, and dreams of Hollywood. Their easy rapport and decades-long friendship is front and center, delivering humor, wisdom, and insights into both wrestling life and personal journeys.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life at Broken Skull Ranch & Tales of Off-Roading

[00:43–09:12]

• Steve opens with tales of stormy weather and ventures out on his Kawasaki ATV, recounting a near-miss accident:
  • Describes ignoring his wife's warning about rain, loading up gear, and hitting the trails.
  • "Here comes that 30% chance of rain. It was 30% all over my ass." (Steve, 05:01)
  • Narrowly avoids wrecking after launching over a gully: "I thought I was just going to eat it and just be smashed up on the side of that mountain. I looked back and I said, holy smokes dude, you talking about dodging a bullet." (Steve, 07:17)
• Advice: Always scout new terrain and wear full protective gear.
• Compares the rough, rocky Nevada terrain to his familiar South Texas landscape.

2. Big Show’s Bird from Hell and Pet Ownership

[11:33–18:43]

• Paul details his ongoing battles with his ill-tempered Amazon parrot:
  • "Son of a bitch knew I was doing something. I'd love to get him stuffed. I don't think anybody would know if I got him stuffed." (Paul, 11:35)
  • Bird mimics household noises and used to torment his late boxer, Ella.
  • Shared concern about pet longevity: "He'll live to be over 100 years old...I walk by him and say, fried chicken, and I know he knows what I'm talking about." (Paul, 12:20)
  • "He's got to be 15, 16 years old now. He'll live to be over 100." (Paul, 16:58)
• Discussion on pet-sitting logistics for folks with a full animal house, tough interviews for dog-sitters.
• Steve recounts minor disasters driving his Kawasaki mule with dogs as passengers.

3. The Simple Joys: Nature, Isolation, and Recharging

[23:01–25:50]

• Both emphasize the joy/aggravation trade-off of outdoor hobbies:
  • Paul on boating alone in Tampa: "That's all I need to do is run across some rogue shark that thinks I'm a lost walrus...I'm gonna quit doing dumb stuff like this." (Paul, 25:50)
• Discussion of navigating unfamiliar terrain; Steve shares plans to get a GPS after getting lost in Nevada—Paul relates similar boating stories on the Gulf of Mexico.

4. Wrestling Road Stories: Traveling in Canada

[33:14–35:59]

• Both reminisce about how tough touring in Canada can be:
  • Sparse stops between cities, difficulty finding food post-show, Tim Hortons as the only reliable safe haven.
  • The unpredictability/difficulty of border crossings: "It was like, okay, red flag. We're checking every one of these mfers out, and they got to go through all your shit." (Steve, 35:27)

5. Health Battles: Big Show’s Hip Surgery and Recovery

[37:15–51:37]

• Paul explains his hip resurfacing (not full replacement), long-term pain in the ring, and complications:
  • "If I showed you the pictures of what my femur bone looked like...there were just holes in it from where I'd worn the bone down so bad because it hurt for—oh, you know how we are. It probably hurt for three and a half years." (Paul, 37:18)
  • Stories of working hurt, and resilience: "You know, I had to go to work. I mean, I don't know. I mean, it's just mind over matter, I guess." (Paul, 38:44)
  • Details of surgical infection, IV therapy with a PICC line, the boredom and stress of daily antibiotic infusions; close medical oversight by his wife, Bess.

Notable Quote

• "I get a free fondle every time I fly." (Paul joking about security pat-downs, 36:33)
• "Once infection gets to the metal, it's almost impossible to get the infection out, because no matter how smooth or how polished metal is, it's still very porous." (Paul, 50:13)

6. Reflections on Loyalty, the Wrestling Brotherhood & Career Direction

[47:34–61:59]

• Steve and Paul praise the toughness of wrestling's "big men" club—Undertaker, Kane—and share examples.
• Paul’s new WWE deal:
  • Limited schedule, opportunity to mentor younger wrestlers, ambassador work, more time for outside projects.
  • "After going through all that hell with my hip surgery and. And Vince and Paul gave me a hell of a deal...That's very humbling." (Paul, 44:20)
• Wrestling ‘passing of the torch’ moments: putting over Braun Strowman, shifting to a mentorship role.

7. Life After the Ring: Hollywood, Typecasting, and New Challenges

[53:16–62:43]

• Paul’s weight loss journey—down to 380 lbs after topping out at 537 lbs:
  • "At 46, I'm way part of it...I like having the mobility that I have now." (Paul, 53:37)
  • Jokes about losing so much weight he can’t wear old custom suits.
• Dreaming of doing more in Hollywood, but realistic about being “typecast” due to sheer size:
  • "I’m a pretty good villain. I’m a pretty good sidekick...I’m a character element to enhance something." (Paul, 59:06)
  • Inspiration drawn from Peter Dinklage’s acting career: “Even though we’re on opposite ends of the spectrum...he’s able to get parts now that aren’t written for little people anymore. I want that for me, too.” (Paul, 56:56)
  • Steve jokes about height illusions in Hollywood: “You’d be amazed at how small everybody is...All of a sudden you get a guy who’s just six two, they look gigantic on screen compared to everybody else.” (Steve, 55:27)

Memorable Exchange

• “Dudes don’t FaceTime dudes.” (Steve, 69:51)
• Paul’s response: “See, I didn’t know that. I just learned a lesson in cool. That’s why I always call you, because I always learned something more manly by talking to you.” (Paul, 69:58)

8. Passion Projects: Big Show and the Special Olympics

[64:07–69:51]

• Paul is passionate about his work as a Special Olympics global ambassador:
  • Shares stories about meeting inspirational athletes—emphasis on independence, achievement, and joy.
  • "They're like chicken soup for my soul. When I work with those kids, they make me feel good." (Paul, 66:40)
• Steve expresses surprise at just how deeply involved Paul is in the cause.

9. Friendship, FaceTimes, and Classic Banter

[67:40–70:10]

• The classic “dudes don’t FaceTime dudes” story unfolds with much laughter:
  • Paul FaceTimed Steve to rave about the new Judas Priest album.
  • Steve gently razzes him for it, but it's all goodwill and camaraderie.

Notable Quotes & Lighter Moments

• On off-roading mishaps:
  “I thought I was just going to eat it and just be smashed up on the side of that mountain.” (Steve, 07:17)

• On dangerous boating:
  “This is what happens to dumb, rich white people that go swim in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico by themselves.” (Paul, 25:50)

• On losing weight:
  “I dropped 12 inches off my waist. So the tailor said, ‘there’s nothing I can do with them’...It’s ridiculous how much things have changed.” (Paul, 54:30)

• Hollywood delusions:
  “You’d be amazed at how small everybody is...All of a sudden you get a guy who’s just six two, they look gigantic on screen compared to everybody else.” (Steve, 55:27)

• On Special Olympics:
  “Every day is a gift, every day is a blessing. Tell the ones you love, you love them, hug people as much as you can, and be thankful for the things you have.” (Paul, 66:24)

• Classic banter:
  “Dudes don’t FaceTime dudes.” (Steve, 69:51)
  “See, I didn’t know that. I just learned a lesson in cool.” (Paul, 69:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Steve’s ATV Misadventure: 00:43–09:12
• Big Show & the Bird From Hell: 11:33–17:29
• Pet Care Logistics & Parenting Dogs: 17:29–23:12
• Outdoor Escapades & Getting Lost: 23:12–29:29
• Road Life in Canada: 33:14–35:59
• Big Show’s Hip Saga & Recovery: 37:15–51:37
• Mentorship, WWE Role, Life Changes: 44:39–61:59
• Hollywood Aspirations: 53:37–62:43
• Special Olympics & Giving Back: 64:07–67:40
• FaceTime Story & Banter: 67:40–70:10

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for fans of either Steve Austin or Big Show, blending inside wrestling talk with genuinely funny personal stories and honest reflections on life after wrestling. The strength of their friendship—equal parts ball-busting and brotherhood—shines throughout, whether they’re talking pets, pet peeves, or the next adventures they’re eyeing in and out of the ring.