Reviewed initially February 23, 2011 – Updated for our wrestling vault collection
The World’s Largest Athlete Gets the Documentary He Deserves
Standing over seven feet tall and dominating opponents like a human skyscraper with a mean streak, Paul Wight – better known as The Big Show – finally gets his due with WWE’s long-awaited three-disc set, The Big Show: A Giant’s World. And let’s be honest: it was about damn time WWE documented the career of a man who changed the physics of professional wrestling.
From Tragic Beginnings to Instant Stardom
The documentary doesn’t just chronicle Big Show’s wrestling career – it dives deep into what made a giant. Growing up as “the large kid” wasn’t just about being tall; it was about dealing with acromegaly, a condition Show didn’t even realize he had at first. He just thought he was blessed with the ability to eat everything in sight and keep growing.
Show had legitimate basketball potential until tragedy struck with his father’s passing, derailing what could have been a completely different career path. His family and friends provide gut-wrenching insights into how he dealt with his condition and the devastating loss that redirected his entire life. It’s raw, honest, and shows the human side of someone we’re used to seeing as an unstoppable force.
The WCW Launch Pad: Instant Monster Status
Show’s venture as a car salesman might sound mundane, but it was the stepping stone that opened the doors to WCW – and wrestling history. When he debuted in 1995, beating Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Heavyweight Championship in his first match, it wasn’t just impressive – it was unprecedented. Who the hell wins their debut match against Hulk Hogan for the world title?
With legends like Triple H, Terry Taylor, and William Regal guiding him, Show was main-eventing pay-per-views within months. But here’s the kicker – Hogan only wanted to build Show up so he could eventually tear him down. Classic Hogan politics, but it doesn’t diminish what Show accomplished during his four-year WCW run.
Big Show’s Athletic Ability That Defied Physics
Let’s talk about what made Show special beyond his size: the man could perform a dropkick off the top rope and execute a frog splash. Think about that for a second. A seven-foot giant launching himself through the air like a cruiserweight. It wasn’t just impressive – it was borderline impossible, yet Show made it look routine.
WWE Success and the Reality Check
Show’s WWE arrival made waves, but success came with unexpected challenges. Becoming WWE Champion in less than a year should have been the pinnacle, but Show admits it made him lazy. Reality hit hard when WWE sent him to their development territory – a humbling experience that taught him star status can vanish faster than a botched finishing move.
The mentorship he received from The Undertaker, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Triple H wasn’t just guidance – it was legitimate hazing. They called him out for being fat, pushed him to his limits, and taught him the fundamentals of being a complete wrestler instead of relying on his size to carry matches. It was brutal, necessary, and ultimately transformative.
The Mayweather Match: When Worlds Collided
Show’s return to face Floyd “Money” Mayweather at WrestleMania XXIV wasn’t just a celebrity match – it was a legitimate spectacle that proved wrestling could still capture mainstream attention. The documentary covers this perfectly, showing how Show’s new training regime and renewed dedication made this dream match possible.
What’s Missing: The Elephant (or Giant) in the Room
While this DVD delivers satisfaction comparable to the Rey Mysterio autobiography, it’s not without gaps. The Kevin Nash incident that nearly broke Show’s neck? Barely mentioned. The details of his absence following his ECW championship run? Glossed over. These omissions feel like missed opportunities to show the complete picture of Show’s journey.
The Big Show’s Matches: A Giant’s Greatest Hits
Discs two and three showcase an impressive variety of Show’s career highlights, from his monster truck sumo match with Hogan (yes, that happened) to his technical classics with Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio. WWE could easily release another disc set just covering Show’s matches – there’s that much quality material.
Triple H’s Roast: Comedy Gold
The special features include Triple H’s savage roast of Big Show, and it’s comedy gold. Watching Triple H describe how hilarious the Show gets when he’s angered about his weight issues is both mean-spirited and absolutely hilarious. It’s the kind of honest ribbing that only happens between real friends in the wrestling business.
Special Features That Actually Matter
From “Big Show vs. The Dumpster” to “Big Show vs. Torrie Wilson’s Car,” the bonus content showcases Show’s entertainment value beyond the ring. “The Big Father” segment and lifestyle change documentation provide insight into Show’s evolution as both a performer and person.
The Verdict: A Giant Achievement
The Big Show: A Giant’s World succeeds in showcasing nearly two decades of an extraordinary career. While it could have been longer and more comprehensive, what we get is a solid documentary that balances Show’s personal struggles with his professional triumphs.
Technical Details:
- Rating: PG (though some emotional content hits harder)
- Publisher: Entertainment One
- Release Date: February 22, 2011
- Original Price: $34.45
Final Rating: Four Stars and a Standing Ovation
This DVD set proves that The Big Show’s career was about more than just his size – though that seven-foot frame certainly didn’t hurt. It’s essential viewing for anyone who wants to understand how a man with acromegaly became one of the most recognizable faces in sports entertainment history.
Show’s journey from tragic beginnings to wrestling icon is inspiring, entertaining, and occasionally heartbreaking. The match collection alone justifies the purchase, but the documentary makes this a must-have for serious wrestling fans.
Highly recommended by the Wrestling Uncensored crew. Sometimes the biggest stories come from the biggest superstars.
