Shaq WrestleMania Rumors: WWE Shouldn't be Upset About O'Neal Leaking Plans

In recent days rumors have surfaced that legendary NBA center and current TNT NBA analyst Shaquille O'Neal will wrestle Big Show at WrestleMania 28. While it was likely supposed to be kept under wraps, WWE executives shouldn't be upset about it.

According to Justin LaBar of Wrestle Zone, the WWE brass isn't happy that Shaq let it slip that he has been preparing for a WrestleMania match. While it would have been a nice surprise for the fans, the information getting out will only add to the anticipation.

Generally speaking celebrity appearances in the WWE over the past couple years have been lame, but Shaq is truly an exception to that rule. He was a guest host on RAW a couple years ago and he was entertaining, funny and convincing when he got into it with Big Show.

If almost any other athlete or celebrity were rumored to be having a match at WrestleMania, I would either be indifferent or angry, but I think O'Neal can certainly pull it off. I have to believe that most crossover WWE and sports fans feel the same way, so Shaq leaking the information may turn out to be a coup for the WWE.

LaBar also reported that the WWE originally wanted LeBron James since the event is taking place in Miami. While King James would have provided a tad more star power, I doubt he has a true passion for the business like Shaq seems to.

Also, Shaq is one of the few men on this Earth that can convincingly stand toe to toe with Big Show, even though he isn't a trained wrestler. The very basis of WrestleMania was built on celebrity involvement, so I don't want to discount it completely, but it has to be done right.

Mr. T made sense at WrestleMania I and WrestleMania II since he was very popular at the time and a legitimate tough guy. Jersey Shore's Snooki last year, however, not so much. Shaq would be much more in the Mr. T mold, though, so I see it being a major success.

Rather than mope and complain about Shaq's accidental (or perhaps intentional) slip, the WWE should do everything in its power to capitalize on it. That means planting the seeds for a Big Show heel turn which seems to already be happening after Daniel Bryan cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on him.

Also, the company should try to get Shaq on a show in the near future and allow him to have some sort of interaction with Big Show to get the ball rolling on the feud. The WWE creative staff can also subtly hint at it by showing their confrontation from a couple years back.

While I can understand where WWE officials are coming from in wanting the match to develop on their own terms, they seem to love mainstream exposure. That is exactly what this news regarding Shaq is starting to garner, so I think the company should simply make the best of it at this point and try to start getting people excited for the potential match.