Frater Takes Leave from WWE

New York - The Big Show, known as Frater Paul Wight of Xi-Beta (Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville) to family and friends, has left the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) scene, leaving the sport without its biggest athlete in history.

Not since the legendary Andre the Giant has there been a man of Big Show's stature who has made such an impact on the sports entertainment scene.

"I'm a raw-boned man that breaks things and moves the immovable objects. When I'm injured, I can't do those things," the Big Show told the official WWE website. "I'm much more valuable healthy both mentally and physically, and this hiatus will help me to get there."

According to Big Show, he has been plagued by a multitude of injuries from herniated discs to torn muscles, but has still competed through the pain.

"I've reached a point in my career right now where I am a little run down and hurt pretty bad physically. I've been wrestling the past three months pretty much in pain every night. I can't compete at the level I want to compete at, and that's the most heartbreaking thing," added the 500 pound giant.

With a career that's spanned more than a decade, Big Show has held every major World Championship in sports entertainment and is the only man to hold the WWE Championship, ECW World Title and World Heavyweight Championship titles and has battled some of the biggest icons in the sports including Hulk Hogan, Triple H, Ric Flair, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, The Rock and Undertaker.

Adapted from a WWE Press Release. If you would like to see your chapter news here, contact Communications Coordinator Tom McAninch.