The towering figure known globally as "The Big Show," Paul Wight, has transitioned from the main event spotlight of WWE to a prominent role in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as of late 2024 and into 2025, but his life outside the ring remains a carefully guarded private affair. While the 7-foot giant's career has been one of the most public in wrestling history, his personal family life—involving his current wife, Bess Katramados, and his three children—is a fascinating study in celebrity privacy. This article provides the most current and updated insights into the family dynamics of the legendary wrestler, separating the fictional storylines of his Netflix sitcom from the reality of his life today.
The public perception of Paul Wight's home life was heavily influenced by the 2020 Netflix sitcom, The Big Show Show, which, while entertaining, used fictionalized names and scenarios. The real-life story of the Wight family is defined by a strong, enduring second marriage and a conscious decision to keep his younger children out of the relentless glare of the professional wrestling world.
Paul Wight (The Big Show) Complete Biography & Profile
- Real Name: Paul Donald Wight II
- Ring Names: The Big Show, The Giant, Paul Wight
- Current Company (2025): All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
- Role: Wrestler (Limited In-Ring), Commentator (AEW Dark: Elevation)
- Born: February 8, 1972
- Birthplace: Aiken, South Carolina, USA
- Height: 7 ft 0 in (213 cm)
- Weight: Approximately 383 lbs (174 kg)
- Father: Paul Wight Sr. (Deceased)
- First Wife: Melissa Ann Piavis (Married 1997, Divorced 2002)
- Current Wife: Bess Katramados (Married February 11, 2002)
- Children: Three (One daughter from first marriage, two children from second marriage)
- Eldest Daughter: Cierra Wight (Born November 28, 1998)
- Major Career Milestones: WWE/WWF Champion, WCW World Heavyweight Champion, ECW World Champion, WWE Grand Slam Champion, WWE Triple Crown Champion.
The Enduring Partnership: Who is Bess Katramados?
Paul Wight's current wife, Bess Katramados, is the quiet anchor of his life, a figure who deliberately shies away from the public eye despite her husband's immense fame. The couple married on February 11, 2002, shortly after Paul's divorce from his first wife, Melissa Ann Piavis, was finalized.
Bess Katramados is a former model and actress, a background that gave her a taste of the spotlight, which she ultimately chose to leave behind.
Her primary role in Paul Wight's life is that of a supportive wife and mother, a constant presence that has helped the legendary wrestler navigate the physically demanding schedule of professional wrestling.
Wight has often credited Bess with being a grounding force, especially during his most intense years in WWE and later during his career transition to AEW. She manages the family's private life, ensuring their two younger children can grow up away from the scrutiny that comes with being a professional wrestling celebrity.
Their marriage has spanned over two decades, a remarkable feat in the often-turbulent world of celebrity relationships, proving that Bess is truly his "Mrs. Right."
Cierra Wight: Big Show’s Eldest Daughter and Her Private Career
Cierra Wight is Paul Wight's eldest daughter, born on November 28, 1998, from his first marriage to Melissa Ann Piavis. Unlike the children of many other wrestling legends, Cierra has maintained a remarkably low-key and private life.
As of 2025, Cierra is in her mid-twenties, and public information about her professional career is scarce. She is known to have pursued education, with some reports suggesting she was a student at the University of West Florida.
Her decision to pursue a life outside of the wrestling industry or the world of celebrity media is a testament to the family's commitment to privacy. She is famous simply for being the daughter of the iconic Big Show, but she has not sought to monetize or publicize that connection.
Fans who watched The Big Show Show on Netflix will recall the character "Lola Wight," who was loosely based on Cierra's real-life position as the eldest daughter from a previous marriage.
However, the real Cierra Wight's life is far more reserved than her fictional counterpart, with her social media profiles often being private, further cementing her desire for anonymity.
The Two Private Children: Protecting Their Identity
Paul Wight and Bess Katramados share two younger children together. The couple has made a deliberate and firm choice to keep the names, genders, and any identifying details of these two children completely private.
This level of privacy is a strategic move to ensure the children can have a normal childhood, free from the constant attention and pressure that being the offspring of a world-famous wrestler entails.
The names used for the younger children in the Netflix show—Mandy and JJ—are entirely fictional and do not correspond to the real names of Paul and Bess's kids.
The family primarily resides away from the major Hollywood or wrestling hubs, contributing to their ability to maintain a quiet, stable home environment. Paul Wight's commitment to his family is a frequent topic in his interviews, where he emphasizes the importance of their well-being above all else.
Big Show's 2025 Career and Family Balance in AEW
Since signing with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2021, Paul Wight has largely transitioned into a role as a commentator for AEW Dark: Elevation, using his real name instead of his famous ring moniker. This shift has allowed him to balance his professional commitments with his family life more effectively.
While he is not an active full-time wrestler in 2025, Wight has made occasional in-ring appearances, most notably a match in early 2024 against Lance Archer and The Don Callis Family during the Jericho Cruise.
His current schedule is significantly lighter than his grueling years in WWE, which involved constant travel. This reduced travel time means he is home more often, a change that has undoubtedly benefited his relationship with Bess and his children.
Wight has expressed that he is enjoying his life as a member of the AEW "family," and while he remains open to a final, proper in-ring run, his focus is on his health and his off-screen duties, which prioritize his well-being and, by extension, his family's peace of mind.
The story of Paul Wight and his family is a compelling narrative of a public figure seeking a private life. Despite his massive size and even bigger celebrity status, Paul Wight, the family man, has successfully built a protective bubble for his wife, Bess Katramados, and his three children, allowing them to thrive away from the spotlight.
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