Tonight’s AEW Dynamite (3/3/21) housed the incredible in-ring debut of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. The much-awaited tag match between Jade Cargill and Shaq vs Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet was the opening match for the night.
The American Nightmare and Shaq started things off. O’Neal, at 7 ft 1 inch, looked massive and overtly intimidating inside the ring.
While Rhodes tried to intimidate him with a few chops, O’Neal came back strong with a huge slap across Rhodes’ chest and other offenses.
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Jade Cargill then took over the match with Red Velvet. As the women fought in the ring, Cody knocked the Giant off the apron with a running knee.
On the ringside, Nightmare family members, Austin Gunn and QT Marshall, tried to cause some damage to Shaq. However, O’Neal fended them off with ease. Meanwhile, Velvet hit a Moonsault during an argument between Jade and Cody.
WOW @Thee_Red_Velvet #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/0EPpuldX7G
— All Elite Wrestling on TNT (@AEWonTNT) March 4, 2021
Shaquille O’Neal and Cody Rhodes got sent through a table
The women set a table outside of the ring. However, before any of them could hit the table, the men tagged in again. Just like before, O’Neal dominated Rhodes inside the ring.
NOW THAT'S A POWER BOMB #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/BU8bIvBT4Y
— All Elite Wrestling on TNT (@AEWonTNT) March 4, 2021
O’Neal hit a huge powerbomb on Cody, but the latter somehow got an opening as he hit O’Neal in the face. Following this, Rhodes hit a power slam and went for a pin but got overpowered again.
Rhodes immediately tagged Red Velvet in. Cargill lifted and pinned Velvet, only to be interrupted by Rhodes.
Rhodes and Shaq fought a bit more as the former came in with a running crossbody that sent both men through the table on the ringside.
Please send our condolences to the tables #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/OFY9v94zWw
— All Elite Wrestling on TNT (@AEWonTNT) March 4, 2021
Velvet almost got the win on a shocked Jade Cargill with a spear. However, Cargill eventually got the win for her and Shaq, with a power slam on the mat.
Even after the win, Shaq was unable to celebrate. He laid down motionless on the broken table as the medical team checked on him, while the commentators said things were looking serious.
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But…where is @SHAQ?? #AEWDynamite pic.twitter.com/1FGNvZVFwZ
— All Elite Wrestling on TNT (@AEWonTNT) March 4, 2021
Following the commercial break, we saw Shaq apparently being put inside an ambulance. As AEW announcer Tony Schiavone went on to check Shaq, fans found out that the giant was not inside.
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The segment ended there. Where do you think Shaq is? Will he be back inside the ring anytime soon? Let us know in the comments below.
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