Following NBA star Shaquille O'Neal announcing his retirement earlier this week, WWE is teasing that Shaq could be returning to the company to rekindle his feud with the Big Show. Shaq was the celebrity guest host of an episode of RAW back in July 2009 and had a memorable confrontation with Show.

The following was posted on the WWE website on Friday:

"WWE Universe member Shaquille O'Neal has had the world abuzz since announcing his retirement from the NBA. After his tussle with Big Show as Raw guest star, WWE fans might wonder if the 15-time All-Star will now look to settle his one-night rivalry."

Earlier this week, Dragon Gate USA booker Gabe Sapolsky wrote a blog in which he suggested that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon reach out to Shaq. Sabpolsky wrote:

"It's no secret that wrestling .. errrr ... sports entertainment needs something to shake it up," Sapolsky wrote. "WWE gained a great boost recently with the return of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. Now they need that one hook for the mainstream public like Mike Tyson was in 1996.

"'The Answer' just quit his job and became a free agent. His name is Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq is on the market. It's well documented he loves wrestling. He understands how to entertain and perform. He has size and athletic ability. The best part is he could now make a long term commitment and he's looking for something new to do."

Labels: shaquille O'Neal, the big show

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:14 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Wrestling Observer reports that WWE is looking at building a three-hour edition of RAW in September around a match between The Big Show and Shaquille O’Neal.

Many, however, are quick to shoot down the report as unlikely. Given that O’Neal begins his NBA season this fall, the window on using him for a match–if he would ever be allowed to work one–is quickly closing (with preseason on the near horizon, even the rumored September date for the match is questionable). Moreover, with the low pay-per-view buyrates coming across as a real concern for WWE’s business model, the feeling is that WWE would not be wise to give the match away on free television.

In any event, most do not believe the O’Neal-Big Show feud is over. PWInsider reported late last week that WWE was looking at bringing Shaq back to RAW due to the positive feedback–and ratings numbers–it earned for his appearance. The constant hype for the Big Show-Shaq feud on last Monday’s RAW certainly did not cease speculation that the two will have another encounter.

Labels: big show, shaquille O'Neal

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:30 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross is back with another blog on jrsbarbq.com from yesterday. Some of the highlights…

- Spoke with Jerry Brisco Tuesday afternoon while “in hurry up and wait mode” in Richmond. Jerry’s doctors are extremely happy with the HOF’er’s progress and expect him to make a full recovery from heart surgery after a few months rest. Having three months off sounds pretty intriguing to me but having to have heart surgery to facilitate such hopefully isn’t in my cards. Jerry’s speech and strength are making a big comeback!

- Shawn Michaels celebrates birthday # 44 Wednesday and our very best wishes go out to HBK. There is rampant speculation that Shawn will return to WWE in time to compete at Summerslam but I have yet to hear that confirmed. HBK returning at Summerslam would be my guess but I just can’t be sure at this time. Michaels is still, arguably, the best in ring performer in the business today.

- Much has been made of the Steve Austin tax matter resulting from the sale of some property. Knowing Steve as well as I do, and we have not discussed this particular matter, I would assume that this is merely a clerical error and someone on the accounting or Realtor end dropped the ball. Austin is one of the most obsessed individuals I know regarding saving money and taking care of his business the right way. Austin “got it” when I used to preach to the wrestlers about saving their money, preparing for their future, getting professional financial planning and income tax help and not living beyond their means IE pay one’s bills and don’t buy too much bling. Trust me, Steve Austin won’t have any issues taking care of this $22K matter that I suspect simply fell through the cracks. I can tell you from personal experience and from dealing with accountants that things like this have happened to many of us and more often than not, if one is diligent in this area, these matters are simply oversights. Austin shares my philosophy and that is to NEVER “mess” with Uncle Sam and the IRS.

- Helluva coup for Raw to nab Shaquille O’Neal as guest host this Monday night in Washington D.C., the day after Night of Champions in Philly. Shaq should be tremendous as his personality, like the rest of him, is huge. Shaq has been a long time fan and he once told me that he DVR’ed Raw every week so that he could keep up with what was happening especially during his NBA season. Shaq has an upcoming reality show that ABC is going to air this summer which will likely get some “stretch” come Monday night. The big fellow is a legit good dude let me assure you. Could we see Shaq in the ring Monday night? I don’t know but I do suspect that the Cleveland Cavaliers would likely not be overwhelmed. I suggest the Cavs send King James to D.C. to chaperon. LeBron is a big wrestling fan too. Nice tag team.

Labels: jim ross, shaquille O'Neal, shawn michaels

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:01 PM | Permalink | Comments