Road Dogg On Why He Rejected A Shaq WrestleMania Request

The Road Dogg has recalled a major request made by Shaq when he appeared at WrestleMania, and explained why he was forced to shoot it down.

Shaquille O’Neal has made plenty of special guest appearances for the likes of WWE, WCW and IMPACT Wrestling thoughout the years, however his in-ring debut came at WrestleMania 32 when he was revealed as a mystery entrant in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royale. His participation ended when he and The Big Show were eliminated by all the other competitors in the match.

However, in a discussion on his Oh You Didn’t Know podact, The Road Dogg has revealed that the NBA legend wanted to go a step further – Shaq wanted The Big Show to put him through a table on the outside of the ring. However, this request was one he was not going to let happen.

When he [Shaq] came to WWE to that Mania, where he was in the Battle Royal and had a face off with Big Show. And I don’t remember which Mania that was, the one where Big Show and Shaq had that big face off. Shaq the whole time wanted to go through a table. He wanted Big Show to take him outside and put him through, choke slam him through the table. He really wanted to do that, like he was dying to do that. And so I had to act like I stepped away to call Vince to ask permission.

And then I just came back and said, No, you can’t do that. It doesn’t make any sense. It’s a Battle Royale like what are you going through a table for? To be quite honest I was worried about [safety]. Okay, I’m with Shaq. I’m a superstar whisperer, you know, or the celebrity whisperer this Mania. I don’t want him to get hurt. And I know Vince is gonna say no, because it just didn’t make sense. You know what I mean?

The Road Dogg went on to discuss how Shaq’s request would come to pass years later in AEW, and that he was a cool guy to be around.

And so I kind of just came back and was like [no], he got the opportunity. He had a great time that night and did everything that was asked of him and did well. He got the opportunity to go through a table with Cody at AEW. His wish was still granted. He did awesome. But yeah, he’s a fun guy to hang out with too, like he’s very down to earth man. And it’s very cool to be next to that guy. Because he’s larger than life in every way you can mean it.

Whilst Shaq has hinted that he may step back inside the squared circle again in the future, his mixed tag team match alongside Jade Cargill taking on Brandi and Cody Rhodes remains his last contest to date.

With thanks to Inside The Ropes for the transcription.