When your fan is a 7-foot NBA giant, the love you get is extraordinary. Shaquille O’Neal fawns over his favorite artists, athletes, and especially wrestlers in his unique way. He’ll share the high points of their career with his social media followers like a lot of us. But, when the going gets tough, he’s known to silently reach out to his faves with words of comfort. Mandy Rose can testify to this. Her release from WWE was a hard pill to swallow for all who enjoyed watching her, including Shaq. He’s familiar with that experience and he made sure Rose knew she was not alone.

On the I-95 morning show, Rose told the hosts that Shaq was one of the first persons to contact her when she was abruptly cut from NXT in December 2022. He ‘slid into her DMs’ but she assures it was nothing creepy. In fact, it was the most heartwarming message.

“It was when I got released. Super cool guy, I’ve heard really great things about him. I think I met him in person like once. It was when I got released and the news articles and all of these crazy things are coming out,” The former NXT champ said, via I-95 morning show. That phase was extremely trying for Rose but several celebrities spoke out in her support. Shaq was one of them.

He also contacted her privately and Rose vaguely revealed what he told her. “It was really sweet, he just messaged me and was like hang in there, you’re amazing, love you kid or something like you’ll be fine. It’s one of those things, he must’ve saw something and probably felt bad. That was really cool.”

O’Neal is that passionate about the wrestling biz. Enough to enter the ring himself. Apart from hosting a few events on WWE and AEW, he’s competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32 and got beat up on AEW Dynamite in 2021. He’s got dream matchups and tends to call for Hulk Hogan for help.

Mandy Rose has not returned to the ring since WWE cut her. Wrestling doesn’t feel the same without her and Shaq might concur. But, she’s turned into an influencer and making millions with her content. And could a swap to AEW be on the cards?

Shaq’s favorites are part of TNT’s rebranding

The kind of uncertainty Mandy Rose felt in late 2022 is being felt by many at TNT since they lost the NBA. Shaq has kept his opinions to himself and subtly assured fans that Inside the NBA will not be going anywhere. During the WBD crisis, word of rebranding Inside the NBA into a general sports show has been floated.

It comes when WBD and AEW are negotiating their own media rights partnership. Even before the deal was finalized, TNT Sports launched Overdrive with AEW wrestlers. That’s a positive sign for the rebranding and also the wrestling-crazy Inside Guys.

Charles Barkley canceled retirement to help TNT develop new shows. If Shaq agrees to a similar creative role, could he draw new talent like Mandy Rose to Overdrive? Fingers crossed.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.