John Cena’s Love for Shaquille O’Neal Was So Evident in His Invitation for the 7ft Giant to WWE

WWE has been home to some of the biggest names in pro wrestling history. It has also been a place where some of the largest men have competed over the years. The likes of Andre the Giant, Big Show, and Mark Henry are some of the biggest wrestlers, size-wise, who also became popular stars. Given the success of big men in WWE, John Cena once stated that NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal could have been a massive hit in the WWE.

Shaquille O’Neal gained tremendous success and fame as a basketball icon in NBA. His athleticism and size would have been the perfect ingredients for a successful wrestling career. Not to mention his charisma would’ve only added to his persona.

In an interview from last year, John Cena praised Shaq and said he would have been ‘something’ in WWE if it was not for his NBA career.

John Cena said Shaquille O’Neal was a top sports entertainer

John Cena was at the top of the sports entertainment industry during his WWE stint. He wrestled a variety of wrestlers during that time and knows what it takes to succeed in the business.

Many large-sized men have tried their luck in WWE, and in a parallel world, the 7 feet tall Shaquille O’Neal would have been a natural fit in the squared circle. Cena echoed those sentiments in an interview with NBA on TNT last year.

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The Franchise Player praised Shaq as a top-level sports entertainer. However, he lamented the fact that he took his natural talents to the NBA court rather than a wrestling ring. Cena said, “I want to say, man, you are one of that Mount Rushmore of sports entertainers. It’s a shame that you were born so large and so gifted on the basketball court because you could have been something in WWE. I still think you can be, but you’re Mount Rushmore of sports entertainers.”

This was high praise coming from Cena, who spent almost two decades wrestling for WWE at the very top.

The Big Diesel did dab his feet in pro wrestling not so long ago. He took part in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32. The four-time NBA Champion also wrestled for AEW when he teamed up with Jade Cargill against Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet on Dynamite.

Still, all these appearances came when he had retired from court. It would have been fascinating to see what Shaquille O’Neal would’ve achieved in WWE in his athletic prime. Do you agree with John Cena’s opinion of Shaq being a success in WWE? Let us know in the comments.

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