AEW Rumors: NBA Legend Set To Face Cody Rhodes In March PPV Event

KEY POINTS

Shaquille O'Neal could make his ring return for AEW in March
O'Neal will face Cody Rhodes in an intergender tag team match
O'Neal last tried wrestling in 2016 at WrestleMania 32

Retired NBA star Shaquille O’Neal is no stranger to trying different things, and it appears he will be setting foot inside the pro-wrestling ring once more.

“The Diesel” has been known for giving criticism and humor, two things that promotions such as All-Elite Wrestling (AEW) could use.

It seems O’Neal is doing his part in all that and his target is Cody Rhodes. The former Los Angeles Lakers center initially made it look like he had no plans of entering the ring.

However, all that changed recently when O’Neal got water thrown at him by Rhodes’ better-half Brandi. This happened during an AEW interview after the player told her to get pointers from Jade Cargill, who broke Brandi’s arm several weeks ago.

O’Neal issued a challenge to Rhodes during the AEW Awards via the Bleacher Report Live app. He wants to face “The American Nightmare” in March although it was not expressed if this would be on Dynamite or pay-per-view set for Mar. 7.

.@SHAQ just challenged @CodyRhodes to a match this March during the #AEWAwards _ pic.twitter.com/R53Jfhad1X
— B/R Wrestling (@BRWrestling) January 28, 2021

Rhodes responded to O’Neal’s challenge on Twitter and hinted that the former NBA player would be easy picking for him.

“Let’s be serious here...with the utmost respect, I would eat this guy alive in the ring,” Rhodes tweeted.

Rhodes would also address the challenge when he appeared on Dynamite. He said that he would love to book the match alongside Brandi Rhodes. But the only problem is that his wife is pregnant so that is unlikely to happen.

But it appears Rhodes has an alternative with Red Velvet volunteering to be his partner in an intergender tag team match.

Hence, it is shaping up to be a tandem of Rhodes and Red Velvet going up against the team of O'Neal and Cargill, possibly on Mar. 7.

.@Thee_Red_Velvet is HERE and has laid down the challenge. @SHAQ, @Jade_Cargill - The ball is in your court.
WATCH #AEWDynamite Wednesdays at 8e/7c on @TNTDrama pic.twitter.com/qOmH9zxwDv
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) January 28, 2021

Based on the series of events, it appears imminent that O’Neal will take part in the AEW pay-per-view. Such is nothing new to the four-time NBA champion as far as wrestling is concerned.

Known to be a self-professed wrestling fan, O’Neal had his share of wrestling action in 2016. This came when he participated as a surprise celebrity entrant in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32.