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via Imago

via Imago

Remember how Shaquille O’Neal shocked everyone at AT&T Stadium at WrestleMania 32 in April 2016, by running down the ramp and joining the Battle Royal? After leaving the NBA, the Big Diesel didn’t do much in the ring, but he played a much bigger part at WrestleMania 33 in 2017. 

Big Show dared Shaq to fight at WrestleMania 33 on the red carpet at the ESPY Awards in July 2016, and Shaq agreed. 

In his most recent Instagram story, Shaquille O’Neal shared a video clip of that match. Big Show had spoken out against Shaquille O’Neal. It was yet another huge hint that the two would fight at WrestleMania 33. People on social media had teased each other back and forth before their much-anticipated fight.

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One thing O’Neal did during the event was a fight with WWE star Big Show. They were both thrown out of the ring by the other wrestlers present over there, though.

In reality, Big Show never dared O’Neal to a match, which meant that they could work together as a super-sized tag team. That would make a bit of sense, since the idea that Shaq could quickly learn enough about wrestling to compete with a multiple-time world champion like 537 lbs Big Show is hard to believe, even by WWE standards. Yes, Big Show was 212 Lbs heavier and stronger than Shaquille O’Neal. 

But the two had a past together. Besides the time they met in April, they also fought a little in a 2009 episode of “Raw“, that Shaq was hosting.

Read More: Shaquille O’Neal, Who Once Wrestled WWE Giant Big Show, Got Body Slammed by a Monstrous NBA Star

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Unexpectedly, Shaquille O’Neal hit a 7-foot WWE superstar

Shaq showed up out of the blue at the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. He and Andre would finish the match alone in the ring, having fought off all the other Superstars. Like before, they got stuck in a choking hold and couldn’t get out. Eventually, the other fighters in the match were able to eliminate both of them.

Yet, the WWE never set up a match between Shaquille O’Neal and The Big Show for WrestleMania, though, because the two sides couldn’t agree on a deal. Both sides were interested. But talks apparently broke down because of several issues, including schedule problems and differences over the terms of the deal.

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Shaquille O’Neal has tried his hand at many things besides basketball because he knew he was good at many things. It’s safe to say Shaq earned his mark in professional wrestling, a business where breaks and surprise shows are common ways to get people excited. 

Read More: Exploring Shaquille O’Neal and Angel Reese’s Special Bond