Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsWednesday, July 8, 2026

WrestleMania 28: Shaquille O’Neal Will Wrestle In Miami

Bill Hanstock
Bill Hanstock is a writer, author and Emmy Award-winning producer. He began writing for SB Nation in 2011.

WWE has been trying to lock down Shaquille O’Neal for a WrestleMania for years and now it appears as though they’ve finally got their man. Although Shaq has had time for all sorts of extracurricular activities in the past -- from Fu-Schnickens albums to Shaq vs. -- the annual spring event has usually interfered with the big man’s basketball schedule. Now that he’s retired, it’s go time.

Tom Weir at USA Today reports that Shaq confirmed over the weekend that he will indeed be stepping into the ring at WrestleMania 28 in Miami on April 1, but declined to comment on who his opponent will be. The main candidate seems all too obvious: when Shaq hosted WWE Raw way back in July of 2009, he had a run in with the “World’s Largest Athlete,” the Big Show.

It’s a good pairing for the spectacle of the thing, but also because the Big Show is the Michael Jordan of celebrity matches at WrestleMania. He took on Floyd Mayweather Jr. at WrestleMania 24 and basically put on the best celebrity wrestling match of all time. (Sorry, Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Lawrence Taylor.)

No word yet on whether the former NBA superstar plans on utilizing Shaq-Fu, but we can only imagine he will.

For all news and information regarding WrestleMania 28 and all other pro wrestling shenanigans and goings-on, please visit Cageside Seats.

See More:

More in NBA

NBA
Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje is the best prospect in the world outside of the NBA, and Duke is nextJoaquim Boumtje Boumtje is the best prospect in the world outside of the NBA, and Duke is next
NBA

Duke struck gold again. The NBA is already salivating over Joaquim Boumtje Boumtje for 2028.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
The Jaylen Brown trade is a watershed moment for NBA analytics, and nothing will be the same after itThe Jaylen Brown trade is a watershed moment for NBA analytics, and nothing will be the same after it
NBA

The Jaylen Brown trade is an inflection point for basketball analytics.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
NBA’s 11 best free agents still available in 2026 after first wave of signingsNBA’s 11 best free agents still available in 2026 after first wave of signings
NBA

Let’s rank the best remaining NBA free agents.

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
Rich Paul reveals LeBron James’ free agency finalists on whiteboard during podcastRich Paul reveals LeBron James’ free agency finalists on whiteboard during podcast
NBA

Where should LeBron play next season?

By Ricky O'Donnell
NBA
NBA to test new free throw rule, and it’s WILDNBA to test new free throw rule, and it’s WILD
NBA

This is a wild rule change.

By James Dator
NBA
Paul George’s trade tree has become one of the wildest in NBA historyPaul George’s trade tree has become one of the wildest in NBA history
NBA

The list of players Paul George has been traded for is stunning.

By James Dator