Big Show says Shaquille O'Neal did not have the time for Wrestlemania.
Big Show was supposed to face O'Neal at Wrestlemania 33, something that had been in the works for months. But prior to Wrestlemania, it was announced Big Show would be entering the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royale. The two had met on the red carpet and agreed to a match, then Big Show appeared on Raw in great physical shape. When word about the match being in jeopardy spread, some thought Big Show's new abs were scaring O'Neal. In an interview with Sam Roberts and Jim Norton, Big Show clarified why the match with O'Neal did not happen, he said time was more of a determining factor, as opposed to Shaq's physique.
“I think it is a huge undertaking. I think it’s one thing to say that 'Oh yeah I am going to be part of Wrestlemania, I'll have this single’s match' and then you think 'Oh I am going to be out in front 80,000 people, this is a profession I am not fully trained in.' On my end of it, it's pretty easy because I have worked with Akebono, Floyd Mayweather, Dennis Rodman, Kevin Greene. I understand how to work with a non-wrestling athlete...I think there were other issues; I don't know if it was scheduling or prior commitments, there stuff going on where Shaq couldn’t get together because of time and in all sincerity it kind of sucks because he is a good dude, he is a ‘larger than life’ personality and it would have been fun, but you know as well as I do, this business doesn’t wait on anyone," said Big Show.
Big Show was eliminated by Braun Strowman from the battle royale in what he says could be his last Wrestlemania. Strowman and Big Show had been feuding leading up to Wrestlemania 33, but Show wasn't on Raw the following night.. In the rest of the interview, Shaq discussed his weight loss, which he said was going to happen with or without a match with O'Neal.
The interview can be found on Sam Roberts' YouTube.
