Young WCW Champion Paul Wight Falls Victim to Hulk Hogan’s Airport Prank
Paul Wight, at the young age of 23, won the WCW World Heavyweight Championship from Hulk Hogan at Halloween Havoc 1995. Following his victory, Hogan suggested that Wight wear the championship belt through the airport to show it off. However, this turned out to be a prank, known in wrestling circles as a “rib.”
Wight, being new to the industry, initially complied with Hogan’s request, proudly wearing the title through the airport. It wasn’t until fellow wrestler Sting approached him during a security check that Wight realized he was being made fun of. Sting advised him to put the belt away, calling him an “idiot” for falling for the joke. Wight also revealed that “Macho Man” Randy Savage was in on the prank, finding great amusement in watching the new champion parade through the airport with his title belt. This incident served as Wight’s first lesson in navigating the playful yet sometimes harsh world of professional wrestling pranks.
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