Never thinking he would get his stuff handed to him by “The Best Ever” in Floyd Mayweather Jr., former WWE star The Big Show (Paul Wight) was delighted to stand in opposition of the well-renowned boxer on “The Grandest Stage of Them All,” at WrestleMania 24, in 2008. In an interview with Gareth A. Davies, the former two-time World Heavyweight Champion recounts how the angle turned exhibition match was originally presented to them.

“It was supposed to be a tag… Floyd Mayweather and I against Batista and Rey Mysterio,” Wight revealed. “Then both guys got hurt… so they asked me if I’d consider working Floyd in a singles match. At WrestleMania? At the time he’s the hottest boxer on the planet. Absolutely!”

Before those two locked horns officially, Wight was on the receiving and viciously battered end of the fighting stick with Mayweather, as the now 50-0 elitist punched Wight in the nose (as part of a shoot), a moment most can’t unsee, yet were happy it didn’t happen to them. From there, the fight was on, as Mayweather (and his crew) showed up to Orlando, Florida, to take on the heavy hitter. Wight recalls the electricity and excitement from Mayweather before and during their match, and the overwhelming tongue-lashing he got from Mayweather’s grandmother after.

“We had to talk him out of stuff. His enthusiasm was so high. Like, dude, you’re worth half a billion dollars right now. I’m not choke slamming you through a table. I’m not press slamming you to the floor. Like, if you get hurt, I might get sued. You’re the golden goose. We’re going to take care of you and have fun,” Wight recalled. “At WrestleMania, I stood on him in the match. After the ‘Mania match…his grandmother pulled me off to the side, and was ripping me a new a** for standing on him…She’s intimidating. Floyd had to come over and say, ‘Hey, Nana, it’s okay.’ She said, ‘You stand on him like that, he’s small…I could have burst him’ or something…Oh, she was ready to fight.”

In that fight, Mayweather was truly the living embodiment of the adage that “it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog,” when he proved that the Big Show wasn’t that big for him.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Gareth A. Davies,” with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

The May 12 episode of WWE NXT featured a contract signing segment that quickly turned into chaos, as a new name officially arrived on the brand.

Robert Stone stood in the ring with security positioned on the apron and a contract in hand. He addressed the audience by stating that the NXT landscape has changed, noting that talent from all over the world now wants to call the brand home. Stone then introduced the newest addition to the roster, Mason Rook.

Rook took the microphone and questioned who Mason Rook really is before outlining his background. He said he has traveled across Europe, competed in Japan, and performed around the world. According to Rook, wherever he goes, he turns heads. He added that even John Cena has taken notice, calling himself a “flying human tank” that is hard to ignore.

Rook continued by asking whether he should be satisfied with going viral or having people talk about him in pubs. He made it clear that he is not satisfied and wants more. That, he said, is why he has arrived in NXT. Rook declared that he is not just the best super heavyweight, but the best competitor at any weight, warning that anyone who steps in front of him will get crushed.

The segment took a turn when Tony D’Angelo’s music hit. Stone immediately tried to stop him, but D’Angelo came to the ring and confronted Rook. Tony stated that Rook had succeeded in getting his attention, but warned him about trying to build a name at his expense.

Before the situation could escalate further, Cam Hendrix attacked Tony D’Angelo from behind. The ambush shifted momentum, allowing Rook to take control. He followed up with a moonsault off the turnbuckles to the floor, taking out multiple security personnel in the process.

As the chaos unfolded, Rook signed his NXT contract in the ring. Stone appeared frustrated, telling him that was not how things are supposed to be done, but the deal was already complete.

The segment established Mason Rook as a forceful new presence on NXT, immediately placing him in the mix with established names.

Mason Rook Signs With NXT Following Chaotic Debut Segment

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The May 12 episode of WWE NXT featured a notable moment for fans familiar with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, as the former EVIL made his official debut under a new name. Now competing as Naraku, the veteran star stepped into a WWE ring for the first time and made an immediate impact.

Naraku’s new ring name carries a fitting meaning. Translated from Japanese, “Naraku” refers to “hell” or “abyss,” aligning closely with the dark persona he established during his time in NJPW. Known for his aggressive style and commanding presence, he entered NXT with a level of intrigue surrounding how he would be presented in WWE.

His first opponent was Lince Dorado, a familiar name to WWE audiences and a current competitor in AAA. The matchup gave fans an early look at Naraku’s in-ring approach under the WWE banner, and it quickly became clear what direction the company is taking with him.

The bout was largely one-sided. Naraku controlled the pace from the opening moments and delivered a dominant performance throughout. Dorado’s offense was limited, as Naraku dictated the action and showcased a physical, methodical style. At several points, Naraku slowed things down to further punish his opponent, emphasizing control rather than urgency.

Dorado’s performance helped highlight Naraku’s offense, making the debuting star appear as a serious threat. The match was presented as a decisive showcase, with Naraku dismantling his opponent before securing a clear victory.

With this win, Naraku begins his WWE run on a strong note. His background as a former IWGP Heavyweight Champion adds credibility, and his presentation on NXT suggests that WWE sees value in positioning him as a dominant force early on.

It remains to be seen how quickly Naraku will move into the NXT Title picture. However, with recent roster call-ups impacting the brand’s depth, his arrival comes at a time when new top-level talent is needed. His debut performance established him as a potential key figure moving forward.

Naraku Debuts On NXT

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