Is Shaquille O’Neal a Good Wrestler? Analyzing Lakers Legend’s In-Ring Performances as WWE Superstar Makes Threatening Invitation

He may not be in his athletic prime but Shaquille O’Neal has the grit to step into the ring. The NBA legend has been a longtime fanatic of wrestling. Like Dennis Rodman, he’s made bold forays into wrestling too. Big Diesel has been inside the ring among his many other appearances and impressed more than a few pros. But like much of the wrestling “sportstainment,” is O’Neal’s prowess an exaggeration?

If you ask a few wrestling titans, the Big Aristotle could make a formidable opponent if he pivoted from court to the ring. Some fans also testify.

Is Shaq a good fit for the ring?

WWE star, Jey Uso is a multi-hyphenate beyond wrestling. When he was asked about other celebrities trying to make a break in the ring, he name-dropped some elite hoopsters.

“I love Shaquille O’Neal,” he said about the potential athlete-entertainer who could dominate the ring. “So I personally think about LeBron James and I know he’s a huge fan. Let’s run it. They can all catch this Superkick though.” 

We think Shaq needs to respond to Uso about that Superkick. The 7’1″ giant can take it. He’s taken a beating and terrorized the court as a dominant center during his NBA playing career. He could take on a wrestler or two just the same. After all, Shaq has done it before.

O’Neal has had hosting or guest appearances in promotions. He’s been on WWE, AEW and Dynamite on TNT. But his in-ring forays have been limited, much to fans’ dismay.

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As soon as he stepped on the NBA court, Shaq branched out into multiple careers. Rookie Shaq was a rapper who also tried to get a leg up the wrestling business. In 1994, the then Orlando Magic star sat ringside cheering for Hulk Hogan in his WCW debut. He also starred in the promotional content for the legend’s big foray.

Just getting close to his wrestling idol wasn’t enough. The big fella had to make a bigger presence in the ring.

Shaquille O’Neal goes big

Four-time NBA champion, Shaquille O’Neal, was on WWE in 2009, hosting an edition of Raw. As it often goes, the celebrity host ripped off his referee attire and got in on the action, provoking Chris Jericho.

The image of NBA’s dominant center towering over WWE greats was a sight to behold. Something fans have been appealing to see for real if Shaq truly joined WWE as a wrestler. In 2013, he was back with Hulk Hogan on Impact Wrestling. O’Neal had retired from the NBA two years prior. But he showed the hallmarks of an elite athlete on Impact.

But nothing could beat the Hall-of-famer’s biggest event in 2016. They got the first full-scale wrestler Shaq when he entered the 3rd Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in Wrestlemania. He was set to fight Big Show, but after Kane interrupted, the opponents teamed up. He even threw Damian Sandow over the rope before an army of wrestlers managed to eliminate Shaq.

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He had another skirmish on AEW in 2020 with Cody Rhodes and Brandi. Shaq’s apparent protégé, Jade Cargill famously provoked Rhodes on the giant’s behalf. When he did show up, viewers thought he was better than Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone in the ring. He was not an other-sport athlete ‘trying.’ He rolled into a villainous persona and hyped the crowd.

WWE’s Drew McIntyre and AEW president, Tony Khan believe Shaq would be a phenomenal wrestler. All we need is for him to dive back into the ring.