“Big Time Jabroni”: 10 Years Before His Passing, Late WWE Legend Humorously Called Out 7ft Giant Shaquille O’Neal While Applauding “Sir” Charles Barkley

Late WWE icon Iron Sheik’s list of people he disliked ranged from Hulk Hogan to Boris Johnson. Another name seemingly on this list was of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. The WWE Hall of Famer once teamed up with Shaq’s Inside the NBA co-host Charles Barkley to go at the 4x NBA champion. While he slammed O’Neal, he wasn’t so critical of the rest of the crew.

The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion passed away on June 7 with a lot of celebrities paying their respects to him. Beyond his in-ring success, Sheik was known for his outspoken personality and controversial antics, making him a captivating figure both in and out of the ring.

The man from Iran who challenged to take down Shaquille O’Neal

The Iron Sheik was a WWE legend and one of the most recognizable faces in professional wrestling. Born in Iran, Sheik gained fame in the 1980s with his larger-than-life persona and intense in-ring style. He was very active on social media speaking his thoughts and making remarks about other professionals like Hulk Hogan, Shaq, and anyone who he didn’t like.

A decade ago, Iron Sheik tweeted his thoughts about Inside the NBA, leaving fans intrigued and entertained. He actively criticized Shaquille O’Neal, whom he labeled as a “jabroni”, a term he frequently used, and which was later popularized by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. He tweeted, “The @SHAQ bubba you lucky me and the Sir Charles don’t break your back make you humble old country way. You are big time jabroni.”

Sheik had a unique perspective on the Inside the NBA crew, expressing respect for Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley, acknowledging their authenticity. However, he referred to Shaquille O’Neal as a “big-time jabroni” in another tweet. As for Chris Webber, the Iron Sheik admitted to not having formed an opinion yet.

The Iron Sheik expressed some kind words, albeit with a hint of reservation, for Kenny Smith and Ernie Johnson. Although he had a more halfhearted approach towards Kenny “The Jet” Smith, his remarks showcased a mixture of praise and subtle critique. The world will miss the Sheik’s unfiltered takes and they paid their respects to the Hall of Famer.

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The world mourns The Iron Sheik’s loss

The Iron Sheik broke barriers and paved the way for future generations of wrestlers from diverse backgrounds. Beyond his in-ring accomplishments, he touched the hearts of many with his unique charm, wit, and charisma. The enduring legacy of the Iron Sheik will forever be etched in the annals of professional wrestling. His larger-than-life persona and captivating performances will continue to inspire and entertain wrestling enthusiasts for generations to come.

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Fans and professionals addressed his loss on social media with remembrance and messages for his family. Dwayne Johnson took to Twitter to share a heartfelt message for him, addressing him as ‘Uncle Sheiky’. The reason for his hatred towards O’Neal is unknown and now it may stay that way forever.