Frustrated Big Show talks WrestleMania match with Shaq falling through

When Big Show and NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’ Neal stared each other down last year during the Andre the Giant Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32, it appeared that a match between the two behemoths would be a lock for WrestleMania 33 in Shaq’s hometown of Orlando. This is no longer the case according to Shaq himself and that has the 7-time world champion feeling frustrated, with good reason, not having a secure spot on a WrestleMania card that is only a month away.

Show opened up on the subject to the Sporting News in a recent interview:

“It is a little frustrating because my contract ends in February 2018. So I don’t know what’s going to happen between now and then. I don’t know if there will be an opportunity for me next year at WrestleMania or not. I don’t know because there’s a lot of new Superstars breaking out and I’ve done my time. This was my perhaps my last opportunity to have a featured match at WrestleMania. And I would have had a good time working with Shaq. 

“But this is a situation where, obviously, it’s above my paygrade. It’s between Shaq and WWE. Whatever their situation is, who knows. Either that or he say the fact that I was starting to get in really good shape and he got scared and decided that he wants to bail out. It’s real easy to talk about stepping in the ring but once you do actually step in the ring, it takes a lot of courage and mental fortitude to do what we do. I understand the fact that if it’s something that he doesn’t want to do, that he’s scared of, that’s fine but don’t put the blame on me because it isn’t me. Just own up to it and say you’re scared and that’s that. 

“That’s just me talking trash. Shaq is one of the greatest big men of all-time in the NBA, without a doubt. I love him as a basketball player and he’s a really good dude. This is a little bit frustrating on my end because this is an important thing for me. At the same time, I know that if this opportunity doesn’t happen, I know that as long as I’ve been in this business I’m sure I can stir up trouble somehow at WrestleMania and get involved in something. There’s somewhere I can make an impact and make it memorable. And if it turns out that I don’t get to be in WrestleMania, at the same time, that’s OK too. I’ve been in a few memorable moments at WrestleMania and WrestleMania is a ‘Showcase of the Immortals’. The guys that are on there deserve to be on there, have worked hard to be on there, and are going to give the best show that they can. I’ll be there. Shaq lives in Orlando, right? I’ll drive over, show up. I’ve got three moves. I’ve said it before — I’ve got a headbutt, a chop and a chokeslam. Show up and I’ll be more than happy to give you all three.”

You can find the full interview with Brian Fritz right here on the Sporting News website. 

image credit – WWE