Paul Wight claimed the WCW World Heavyweight Championship from Hulk Hogan at the age of 23 during Halloween Havoc 1995. After the event, as WCW was heading to their next destination, Hogan suggested Wight wear his new title through the airport to show it off. However, Wight later realized this was a practical joke, as revealed on the “Downunder The Ring” podcast.
Hogan instructed Wight, “Hey brother, I want you to wear that title through the airport and let everybody know that you took that title from Hulk Hogan.” Being new to the business and thrilled about his victory, Wight gladly followed Hogan’s advice without suspecting the joke.
It was only when Sting approached Wight at security and told him to hide the title, saying, “Put it in your bag, you look like an idiot. He’s ribbing you,” that Wight understood he was being pranked. “That’s when I realized I was being made fun of. It was my first lesson in wrestling ribbing.”
Additionally, Wight mentioned that “Macho Man” Randy Savage found the prank amusing and enjoyed watching him parade around the airport with the championship. Although he has been absent from AEW TV recently, Wight is eager to return to the ring, though whether another World Championship run is on the horizon remains to be seen.