Why was Shaquille O'Neal Not at "Wrestlemania XXXIII"?

Why not? One of the matches that we were all but guaranteed for “Wrestlemania XXXIII” was a showdown between Shaquille O’Neal and Big Show. The match was seemingly set up a year earlier when O’Neal took part in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at “Wrestlemania XXXII”. The match was never announced though and now we have a reason why.

O’Neal recently spoke about the potential match on his “Big Podcast with Shaq” show and basically said it was WWE’s fault. He was ready to accept the match but then it was canceled due to WWE changing their mind. The two sides went back and forth but nothing wound up taking place. Here are the comments on the match negotiations:

O’Neal: “Because they kept playing. First, they said it was me and Big Show. Then, they said it was going to be 3 and 3. Then, they canceled it so when they canceled it, I made other arrangements. And then they tried to call back and tried to get it done, and I just said, ‘I’m not going to do it.’ They messed it up.”

Kinkade: “And my theory all along – this is not his commentary – I have a hard time believing that somebody would read a script where he would lose in anything.”

O’Neal: “So you’re saying I didn’t want to lose? It’s for the kids, John. I would have lost for the kids. For the kids.”

Kinkade: “You are competitive.”

Gass: “The man did Kazaam for God’s sake.”

O’Neal: “Exactly, yes. I would have lost.”

You can listen to the full show here.

Opinion: After all the time spent talking about how this match was a sure thing, it really surprised me when it didn’t happen. That being said, I’m glad it didn’t actually take place. The match probably would have just eaten up about twenty minutes counting entrances and that’s too much on a show that was already as packed as “Wrestlemania XXXIII”.