WrestleMania 28: WWE Reports Shaquille O'Neal Won't Appear on WrestleMania Card

While there is no doubt that Shaquille O’Neal will be in attendance at WrestleMania 28 in Miami, the WWE has made it clear that the former NBA superstar will not be wrestling.

Or at least that’s what they’re saying right now.

Vince McMahon and the WWE brass hate when their secrets get out, so they devise clever plans to convince the public that something isn’t going to happen. In most cases WWE would just scrap any idea that got to the public early, but with a celebrity appearance like Shaq's, they want the publicity.

The report came from HollywoodLife and said nothing about competing, just appearing. That slight difference in wording will be the formality WWE uses to get Shaq involved in the show.

WWE.com disputes the non-existent report that Shaq will be competing at this year’s WrestleMania:

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Despite Shaquille O’Neal’s claim that he will compete at WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami, WWE officials have informed WWE.com that the 15-time NBA All-Star is not scheduled to appear on the card. The professional basketball legend made waves this past weekend when he reportedly told celebrity news site HollywoodLife.com that he will wrestle on April 1.

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The problem is that it isn’t true. The report said that he would be in attendance, which the WWE is not denying. I smell a swerve.

Just like Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants wasn’t supposed to get involved with the wrestlers on TNA, Shaq is supposed to be just a normal guy standing there in attendance; which would suck for the people behind him.

I can see the WWE turning Big Show heel by letting him attack Shaq during or after his match, but I think it would be so much better to have the former NBA star run into the ring and make the save for Big Show.

Whoever they have face Big Show should just slap Shaq halfway through their match,  then have the big center slide under the ropes and clear the ring. The last picture of the match should be Big Show and Shaq standing tall.

The way WWE defended it has me thinking "swerve" from a mile away, but if they pull this off well, it could be a media goldmine for the company.

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