Here’s Why Shaquille O’Neal Is Not Wrestling At AEW Revolution

It didn’t line up. Wrestling is in a weird place compared to more mainstream sports. While wrestling is televised fifty two weeks a year with content being aired almost every single day, there is a large stigma attached to it. The wrestlers are seen as athletes, but they are never going to be accepted at the same level. Sometimes a mainstream athlete will cross over though and that will be happening again next month. Now we know the reason for the timing.

Earlier this week, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal announced that he will team up with Jade Cargill to face Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet on the March 3 edition of AEW Dynamite. The match had been hinted at for weeks but this was the first time that anything had been confirmed. It is a little strange to have the match on free television rather than the pay per view the following weekend. It turns out there is a simple explanation.

According to Wrestling Observer Radio, the match will be taking place on Dynamite rather than at Revolution on March 7 because O’Neal could be covering the NBA All-Star game on the same night. This will not be O’Neal’s first match as he also participated in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32. He also made multiple appearances in WCW, often in Hulk Hogan’s corner.

I think he’s ready. Check out how the match was announced:

Shaq and Jade will Battle Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet on March 3 | AEW Beach Break

Opinion: This makes perfect sense as O’Neal seems to be doing the match due to a mixture of fun or a possible cross promotional idea from Turner Sports. That does not exactly put it on the same level as his regular job as an NBA analyst. O’Neal can be a nice draw for the show though and that is one of the best things that can happen for AEW. The match itself isn’t the point, but rather having O’Neal there in the ring, whenever it happens.

Thomas Hall has been a wrestling fan for over thirty years and has seen over 50,000 wrestling matches. He has also been a wrestling reviewer since 2009 with over 5,000 full shows covered. You can find his work at kbwrestlingreviews.com, or check out his- Amazon author page with 30 wrestling books.

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