Speaking on a recent episode of the Grilling JR podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross went into detail about Big Show’s tenure with the company, and the former World Heavyweight Champion’s issues with his weight.
Big Show has managed to get himself into great shape now, but Jim Ross once feared that Show’s obesity problems would cost him not only his career, but also potentially his life.
“I thought his weight and his obesity would shorten his life. I’m thinking that he’s a step or two away from being non-licensable. All of the states were still adhering to the licenses, athletic commissions. He’s such a sweetheart of a guy, god damn it’s like you’re going to pull a William Perry on my ass, you’re going to eat yourself out of a job. I was concerned, I don’t think he took it seriously. The only way you can get talent to take you seriously is to affect their money. That’s it.
“Now look at him today, he looks great. He doesn’t look to be unhealthy, he’s probably lost 100 pounds. He looks excellent. He could always do it, but I think he got influenced. He listened to the last guy that talked to him sometimes and some of the guys that talked to him, it was all about size, getting bigger. [They’d say] look at Andre, by the way, Andre died at 46.”
Despite no longer being an active wrestler, Big Show is in the shape of his life right now, most recently appearing on Raw at the beginning of this month as part of WWE Legends Night.
Thanks to Wrestling Inc for the transcription.
