The Steve Austin Show – SAS CLASSIC: THE BIG SHOW part two (January 1, 2026)

Episode Theme & Overview

This SAS CLASSIC episode features the second part of Steve Austin’s in-depth conversation with WWE legend Paul Wight (The Big Show). The main focus is a candid Q&A, with Austin and Wight answering fan-submitted questions that span health, career evolution, wrestling anecdotes, car obsessions, fitness transformations, the demands of being larger-than-life, and insider wisdom on the current and future stars of WWE. The episode boasts raw honesty, humor, and a strong sense of camaraderie between two wrestling icons.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

1. Living with Acromegaly: Influences from Andre the Giant

• The Question: Did Andre the Giant's choices regarding his acromegaly influence how Paul Wight approached his own health?
• Wight explains his early discovery at 19, the medical advances since Andre’s era, and parallels their emotional journeys.
• Quote:

  “I always thought that my size and strength … was a blessing, then I find out it’s because of an abnormality—a tumor on the pituitary gland pressed and made me a freak.” – Paul Wight (09:27)

• Emphasizes the evolution in medical understanding and surgery safety, and how youth imparts a sense of invincibility until reality strikes later in life.
• Wight reflects on Andre's lifestyle and speculates on how pain, medical care, and social expectations shaped his choices and longevity.

2. Being in the Public Eye & Wrestling Icons ("Giant"-ness)

• Fan Question: Does Wight get tired of public attention, gawkers, or being “the Giant” outside the ring?
• Shares personal stories of insecurity as a teenager and how finding his athletic identity led to embracing (rather than resenting) public attention.
• Quote:

  “You have to understand their position—most people have never seen anybody like me … I hope that when people meet me, they have a good experience.” – Paul Wight (19:14)

• Talks about balancing patience and the occasional need to withdraw when he’s not up to social demands.

3. Wrestling Gimmicks: "Andre's Son" in WCW

• Wight reveals the awkwardness of being introduced as Andre the Giant’s son in WCW, created by Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff.
• Acknowledges the storyline's impact: instant credibility but also typecasting and long-term confusion among fans.
• Quote:

  “To go as the son of Andre—yeah, it gave me credibility with the fans. But it’s a real crappy trick to pull on the fans … I nod and say thanks, because I don't want to kill the magic.” – Paul Wight (22:36)

• Notes the evolution of fan knowledge with the internet and how it would never fly today.

4. Wrestling Fandom, Childhood Heroes, and Origins

• Wight recalls his deep fandom for Arne Anderson and Bullet Bob Armstrong, reminiscing about scrimping up cash as a kid for tickets, and being awestruck by wrestler personas (27:38).
• Both Austin and Wight highlight the mystique and charisma of the old-school wrestlers and how it fueled their own passion and drive.

5. Car Guy Talk: Fitting Vehicles for Big Guys

• Deep dive into the logistics and challenges of cars for someone of Wight’s size.
• His favorite rides: Yukon Denali (sans sunroof), a 2004 Viper truck (“just a hell of a performance machine”), and a rare, pro-streeted 1966 Hemi Charger.
• Quote:

  “You look at pickups, and … they look really big and they're just not, especially for me… There's so many accoutrements … my shoulders are too wide.” – Paul Wight (37:00)

• Both reminisce about their own favorite rigs and the struggle of finding a fully loaded pickup without a sunroof.

6. Who’s the Next WWE Breakout Superstar?

• Both agree on Elias (40:05).
• Wight praises the careful build of Elias’ character and the unique challenges of today’s TV/internet-driven wrestling storytelling.
• Also expresses admiration for Charlotte, the women’s division advancements, and tag specialists like Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, and New Day.
  • Quote:

    “I think Elias has a lot of good things to his future … as long as they keep shoving him, keep that rocket on him.” – Steve Austin (41:35)

  • “I love those four guys … they’re tremendous.” – Paul Wight (42:12)
• Entertaining story about initially doubting New Day’s potential and later admitting their magical chemistry (44:00).

7. Transitioning from Main Eventer to Locker Room Mentor

• Wight discusses the honor and relief of moving from the main event to supporting roles focused on getting younger talent over.
• Quote:

  “Now I don’t have anything to prove in this business, Steve. Zero ego. ... If I can help them, absolutely. That’s fun for me.” – Paul Wight (51:13)

• Shares a humorous and painful story of teaching Braun Strowman about pacing in the ring—culminating with a memorable chop to the “twig and berries” (55:12).

8. The Monster Among Men: What’s Best for Braun Strowman?

• Austin raises concerns about comedic angles diluting Strowman’s monster mystique.
• Wight, drawing from his own experience, advocates balance but heavier on the “monster” side:
• Quote:

  “With Braun, let’s not overdo it. ... Whoever beats Brock Lesnar is going to be made. ... I'd like Braun to create that mystique.” – Paul Wight (57:03)

• Warns against overexposing big men in non-monster roles, making it hard to “reboot” once the mystique fades.

9. Big Show’s Transformation: Diet, Training & Lifestyle

• Wight describes dramatic changes (nearly 200 lbs lost), focusing on:
  • Dialed-in, high-volume, high-frequency training
  • Careful, often low-calorie dieting (1600–2000 kcal/day, 63:23, 67:56)
  • Intermittent fasting (overnight 12–15 hours)
  • Mind-muscle connection, avoiding heavy weights to protect worn joints
  • Emphasis on self-awareness and adapting his nutritional plan over time
  • Emotional eating struggles and learning not to use food for comfort
• Quote:

  “I’m still finding that magic formula. ... When I get it ... I’ll share it with you.” – Paul Wight (73:45)

10. Life on the Road: Drunkest Stories & Sleep Apnea

• The drunkest they ever got: Polishing off two bottles of Crown Royal in a European hotel room—bond forged over business and camaraderie (74:01).
• Hilarious story of Austin snagging the big bed on a trip to the Middle East, leaving the 7-footer to sleep elsewhere (76:37).
• Both stress the critical role of sleep apnea machines in their lives as massive men; Wight now won’t even take a nap without his CPAP device (78:05).
• Quote:

  “First time you get a good night’s rest … you'll know what we're talking about. ... That sleep apnea machine has been the best thing I've ever done.” – Paul Wight (78:05)

11. Media, Projects, and Nerdy Outlets

• Wight plugs his Twitter/Instagram (@WWETheBigShow), mentions upcoming Dungeons & Dragons charity event in L.A., and participation in the Special Olympics USA Games.
• Reflections on the privilege of working with legends, friendships with Austin, Arn Anderson, and Undertaker.

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “This blessing, this gift could be taken away … I had to learn to eat properly.” – Paul Wight (11:00)
• “You have to understand their position. … I hope that I give people a good experience because I want to be somebody that people hopefully talk about following they had a good experience meeting.” – Paul Wight (19:14)
• “To go as the son of Andre … it’s a real crappy trick to pull on the fans … but I nod and say thanks, because I don’t want to kill the magic.” – Paul Wight (22:36)
• “You know how I do that chop on the chest? ... I chopped him right in the twig and berries, hit him right in the dick and balls.” – Paul Wight (55:12)
• “With today’s audience … I don’t mind [Braun] doing some funny stuff … but let’s not overdo it.” – Paul Wight (57:03)
• “I’m not on the road, I’m not working, all I got to do is basically go home and eat and rest.” – Paul Wight (66:35)
• “The first three letters in ‘diet’ is ‘die’.” – Paul Wight (71:14)
• “The first time I used that machine, I woke up the next day and it was like a brand new day … that sleep apnea machine has been the best thing I've ever done.” – Paul Wight (78:05)
• “I'm only a FaceTime call away, Big Show!” – Steve Austin (84:00)

Highlighted Segments & Timestamps

• 09:07–13:35: Acromegaly, Andre the Giant, and medical/lifestyle choices
• 17:45–19:14: Coping with constant public attention and fame as a giant
• 22:26–24:51: “Son of Andre” gimmick in WCW; industry storytelling; fan reactions
• 30:35–37:00: The search for vehicles that fit Wight’s size—truck & SUV talk
• 40:05–42:12: Picking the next WWE breakout superstar; the appeal of Elias
• 44:00–46:26: Story about misjudging New Day and embracing their greatness
• 51:11–55:12: Changing roles from champion to mentor; teaching Braun Strowman
• 57:03–61:32: How to best use Braun Strowman, lessons of balancing entertainment and “monster” mystique
• 63:23–73:45: Wight’s approach to nutrition, training, and emotional eating
• 74:01–77:36: Austin and Wight’s Crown Royal adventure and sleeping arrangements in the Middle East
• 78:05–81:55: The realities and importance of sleep apnea treatment
• 82:10–84:00: Where to find Big Show on social media; D&D event plug

TL;DR / Key Takeaways

• Paul Wight (The Big Show) shares hard-earned lessons from a career as a giant in a human-sized world, both physically and emotionally.
• Open about parallels with Andre the Giant, the struggle with health, the evolution of wrestling, and embracing the next generation of talent.
• Practical, often hilarious insights into life on the road, extreme dieting and transformation, and why mentorship matters.
• Throughout, the tone is warm, no-nonsense, colorful, and filled with the wisdom, wit, and behind-the-scenes storytelling that makes for classic wrestling radio gold.

For further questions or guest suggestions:
questions@steveaustinshow.com

Find The Big Show:
Twitter/Instagram @WWETheBigShow

End note from Steve Austin:

“My name is Steve Austin and I will catch your ass down the road.”