Shaq At Wrestlemania? (Keep all Shaq discussion in here)

[Jack-Hammer]

I'm a little surprised this thread hasn't been created but here goes.

Earlier this week, former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal appeared on the Abe Kanan Show and let it slip that he's in talks with WWE to face Big Show at WrestleMania XXVIII. WWE officials were a little upset that Shaq spilled the beans about the negotiations, as one might expect. The WWE originally wanted LeBron James to participate but he was unable to do so due to prior NBA committments.

There's current talk of turning either Big Show or reigning WHC Daniel Bryan heel. According to the WON, sources are saying that it'll most likely be Big Show going heel, especially if a match between Show & Shaq winds up happening. This could also be good news for Daniel Bryan as it means that he wouldn't be dropping the WHC to Show.

This is a program that WWE has been looking to set up for a few years now. Shaq is a well known WWE fan and there's been talk of a WM program happening as far back as when Shaq was the Guest Host for Raw. However, Shaq's committments to the NBA were always in the way of this happening but, now that he's retired, it looks like the doors could be open. It probably won't be a classic by any stretch, but it'll damn sure guarantee tons of mainstream media coverage and ppv buys.

 

[closet_fan]

i wouldn't mind seeing it. he has plenty of time to train. everyone keeps saying show should wrestle a true wrestler, but he would gain more notoriety and mainstream news by wrestling someone like shaq.

the E's front office is already pissed shaq let the cat out of the bag that they were in talks, which is lame. it would be hard to keep something like that a secret for too long.

 

[Shakin' Abe]

I'm glad this thread came up. Why would Vince do this to the Big Show at WM? Big Show needs to be feared again and if Vince puts him in a match with Shaq, he won't be able to look good or win for that matter. I wouldn't mind the heel turn but Big Show needs to kick some ass for a while and get some respect back. A side show match with Shaq isn't even worth PPV status. Shaq and every other celeb / sports star who thinks they can look good in the ring always become the laughing stalk of the show. This match stinks to high heaven!

 

[Iam Kroger]

If it's gonna happen and if Vince is already angry about it going out why don't they use that to their advantage? Put it out there, it'll get it'll be all over the sports media outlets.

This solves a few things. The first is that Big Show will be in a major match at Mania. The second and maybe more important is that since his match is already sealed for WM he can go after the World Title. All the while claiming him versus Shaq will be for the chip $$$

... Oh and in the process of him chasing the title he can go heel. Should be a solid build.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

I'd like to see this. Shaq has a larger than life personality that loves professional wrestling. He is probably still athletic enough to but on a salvageable match with Big Show.

Revealing this may be Shaq's way to try to encourage his fans to show support for his being on the card. If the fans show support he may be able to get some more money in his contract.

But I don't know why they need to do this at WM 28. Sure it will get some buys but why convolute the card with another celebrity, athlete or part time wrestler? Why not add an event like this to another card and increase the buys even more? Maybe Shaq will only do the biggest event of the year.

It will be funny if Shaq shows up on Raw or SD mocking Show for tearing up this week on Raw and losing a match to a 180 lb. nerd.

 

[WRESTLING_GENIUS]

This match as far as the names in the match would be a classic Shakin Abe your tripping you have the greatest 7'0 athlete of all time vs The Biggest Athlete of All Time this match would be genius and would complement greatly with Takers Match, Punk vs Jericho, and Cena vs Rock matches. WM 28 would then be a 5 match
main Event with the World Title(even if its the first match) included.... I really hope it gets done cuz i will be watching 4 sure....

 

[closet_fan]

I'm glad this thread came up. Why would Vince do this to the Big Show at WM? Big Show needs to be feared again and if Vince puts him in a match with Shaq, he won't be able to look good or win for that matter. I wouldn't mind the heel turn but Big Show needs to kick some ass for a while and get some respect back. A side show match with Shaq isn't even worth PPV status. Shaq and every other celeb / sports star who thinks they can look good in the ring always become the laughing stalk of the show. This match stinks to high heaven!

Big Show seems to not really give a crap what program he is in at this point. The guy has done more in his career than most wrestlers. He's enjoying himself. I am sure he would love the opportunity to not only face Shaq given Show is a former basketball player, but will also love the limelight he will be put into.

In the mainstream media, this match WILL be the biggest of Wrestlemania, even more than Rock/Cena.

 

[VinnieSunshine]

I would love to see this match! Shaq was always one of my favorite basketball players growing up and I loved when he hosted RAW.

Turning Show heel is the only way this match COULD happen. Besides...Bryan needs a good solid feud to start his WHC reign. Him against Show will not only prove that Bryan deserves the title, but also, if he can take down Show then no one will be a threat to him.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

The mainstream coverage is the only possible positive highlight I can think of here, because I'm sure the match would be awful. The news of Shaq's participation at Wrestlemania 28 will surely gain some sort of coverage on major news networks, and ESPN should give this match some spotlight, but at the same time, a good amount of critics will bash this decision, because Shaq will participate in a "fake sport." This match will gain some media attention from the mainstream press. This is something that can't be denied, but in the long run, this will become a forgettable match, and this idea of successful mainstream press coverage for pro wrestling can be very overrated, because pro wrestling will never gain that warm embrace from the mainstream world. It won't happen. Shaq could bring in some more pay per view buys, but Rock VS Cena should be able deliver the explosive buy rate numbers Vince is looking for, so I don't see a real need for this match at Wrestlemania.

Shaq is pushing 40, and he was hobbled by injuries, as his NBA career came to an end, and Show isn't a young guy anymore. Yeah, I Know, both guys are over seven feet tall. They're giants, and Shaq really doesn't have any sort of in-ring experience, so I can't expect this one to move at a nice and steady pace. Still, as far as the quality goes, this match probably won't be something memorable at all.

This potential battle of the big men might provide some excitement for others, but I don't want to see this happen. Celebrity/athlete matches at Wrestlemania are usually horrendous train wrecks, and the mainstream exposure really doesn't payoff in the end. Rock VS Cena will do more than enough for the buy rates, celebrity/athlete matches at Wrestlemania have this long track record of failure, and I really hope this doesn't happen.

 

[Defekt]

Maybe it will get some attention for the WWE in the mainstream press, but for the fans it's a pretty big waste of time. Like that Ceelo Green concert at Summerslam, a chance to grab something to eat I guess.

 

[Underwoody]

In a slam dunk contest? I would definitely pay to see that. But seriously, a match would be perfect. I want to watch this NOW! It's all a NBA/WWE fan could ever ask for. So make it happen!

 

[mikead]

I always hate atheletes coming in and rasslin on the big show but THE Big Show has put on some great ones. Floyd Mayweather, Akebono in the sumo match at WM 21, he would do great against Shaq. On top of that Shaq can face Show eye to eye, which would be a great marketing tool. This would of course require Vince to market the whole ticket and not just the top match.

 

[SD619]

Why does WWE always book Big Show in such matches?

Anyway, this should be a decent match with two big guys and should generate lots of media attention. Also, Big Show losing to Shaq (there is no chance that Show wins) would look more believable than him losing to Mayweather.

Looks like WWE want to make this 'Mania really huge.

 

[Juvenal]

I'm totally against the idea of having celebrities getting involved with wrestlers only for the wrestler to look like a weakling. It makes the product look more fake than it is. But if they do...let the segment run no more than 10 minutes.

 

[XXJJ]

It will get a lot of attention from ESPN and other media. I know the die hard fans wont be thrilled. But that is really Vince's vision for WM. He wants that crossover appeal.

 

[Cracka Jack]

I really wouldn't mind this match that much. It'll be two huge men pushing each other around, trying to see who's more dominant. I'd guess that Shaq will win, as celebrities always seem to do. This probably wouldn't even be that long either, so it's not like it'd take up too much time. As far as celebrity involvement goes, Shaq is a good choice. He's funny, he's athletic, and he actually is a wrestling fan. If Vince feels he must have a celebrity at Mania, then Shaq is one I'm totally okay with.

 

[Dagger Dias]

I hope to see this take place. It would make a great choice for a celebrity involvement at Wrestlemania. Shaq is a legit fan unlike celebrities who had been involved in the past. He teased a confrontation with Big Show when he was guest host back in 2009. Shaq was without a doubt one of the best guest hosts and I hoped to see him face Big Show. It wouldn't be the first time Big Show turned heel to work a celebrity match. Remember the Mayweather match at Wrestlemania 24? The Shaq match would generate a ton of mainstream attention and potentially increase the number of PPV buys quite a bit. I hope they still go through with it despite Shaq spoiling it due to the fact that it's one of the best potential matches they could possibly do as far as celebrity involvement at Wrestlemania goes.

 

[TWJC: The Beginning]

Sure. Shaq brings a TON of exposure. Plus, when he says how tough it is, then it ads to it.

It's not going to hurt anyone's credibility either way. Everyone knows it's staged, if Show loses, no one is going to care.

Plus, as said, Shaq is a real fan, so he'll promote the shit out of it.

 

[The Eighties]

I hate these types of matches where a guy from another sport learns a couple of moves the kids from Tough Enough can do and suddenly he is beating established guys in a ring, but whatever, this is Vince's vision of how to "evolve" the business. I honestly think the best idea would be to make it a tag match and add two guys that could do with the media rub and could work the body of the match, just leaving Show and Shaq to do a stare down and a couple of spots for the finish.

 

[Arsenal]

This could be awesome if done right. Shaq is a legit wrestling fan and would hype the the match up big time. The mainstream publicity would be HUGE. I think it would be cool if Shaq cheated to win also (I bet he'd be down with this as a wrestling fan), plus it would help save Big Show's credibility. However if Shaq insists on a clean win, it's still worth it.

Make it happen WWE!

 

[Walker456]

I am praying this doesn't happen! I am sick of celebrity's having matches at mainia and they always have to be with The Big Show! What's the point of them? I mean it's not like this years mainia isn't big enough Cena vs Rock is going to draw! You don't need to bring people in like Shaq to make an appearance! Plus I've read somewhere that Show is ment to turn heel soon. So with this happening I was looking forward to Show having a REAL match at this years wrestlemaina.

 

[SimonH82]

Hmmm...this does not hold any allure for me...

I found the one VS the Sumo Wrestler interesting...as it was something different.
And Mayweather is Mayweather...someone huge that you want to see....

Can someone explain what the draw is for this...at least outside of the US Shaq is not too much of draw...do you think there will be a huge draw for Shaq within the US?

 

[Shadowcat]

Found this on the main site

In an update to the developing story of Shaquille O'Neal participating at this year's WrestleMania, The Wrestling Observer is reporting that an agreement between O'Neal and WWE is nearly a "done deal," and WWE creative has been told to begin coming up with ideas for Shaq at the big PPV this year.

Looks like we won't get Shaq vs Big Show, but Shaq's still gonna be at WrestleMania. That's pretty good, I guess.

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

I am perfectly fine with this because, unlike last year where a wanna be reality show star was at WM, we got a real celebrity at WM. It will garner a lot of media attention in a potentially jam packed WM event.

Though Shaq vs. Big Show might require some heel turn or else the build up between Shaq and a Face Big Show might prove to be uneventful. What about a Tag Team Match Up instead a power team like Shaq and The Big Show vs. Mark Henry and ???(maybe a returning Christian?). I would not mind seeing that at all, plus it limits Shaq's inring participation because we all know how limited he will be.

 

[ABMorales787]

Shaq is a true showman and the brightest personality since the days of Michael Jordan. He's so damn charismatic. His physique also helps. He may not be a wrestler, but with stuff like Space Jam, Shaq Fu and all that, any fan of Shaq and pro wrestling can easily expand their imagination and have a fun time with a celebrity who we can relate to. I wanna see Show get whacked with some Shaq Fu.