Dennis Rodman took a dig at his former teammate and fellow legend, Shaquille O’Neal, during a 2023 AEW wrestling appearance, which resurfaced as he became an inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Rodman and O’Neal were briefly teammates on the Los Angeles Lakers and previously faced each other as competitors, a period defined by intense on-court battles.
Dennis Rodman’s Jab at Shaquille O’Neal Resurfaces Amid WWE Hall of Fame Induction
Rodman outplayed taller players with his rebounding flair, leading the league in seven straight seasons. He was undersized for a power forward, but his energy, positioning, and timing made him a force to be reckoned with and gave a player like O’Neal a run for his money.
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year, who was adept at guarding all five positions, became infamous for his attempts to get into Shaq’s head, disrupting his positioning and rhythm. During their brief time together with the Los Angeles Lakers, the two luminaries had some intense moments, but when they faced each other as opponents, the matchups were often fierce and deeply personal.
Especially during the 1996 Eastern Conference Finals, Chicago Bulls forward Rodman managed to rattle a giant like O’Neal. This led to heated exchanges and intense battles, ultimately helping the Bulls secure a sweep and a place in the NBA Finals.
Besides basketball, Rodman also made a name for himself in the professional wrestling domain. He wrestled with Hulk Hogan in the main event of two Bash at the Beach pay-per-views and won Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling, becoming the first-ever winner of the show.
Years after retiring, Dennis Rodman appeared on AEW Collision, locking horns with Jay Lethal, Satnam Singh, Sonjay Dutt, and Jeff Jarrett. Mid-segment, he pointed at Singh to take a swipe at O’Neal, and the video resurfaced as he got inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
“When I was playing basketball, Shaq was that big and I whooped his ass,” the best rebounding forward said.
READ MORE: Dennis Rodman’s Former Teammate Sheds Light On Bulls Legend’s Rarely Seen Side: ‘He’s a Sweetheart’
O’Neal has often expressed his frustration with his former teammate’s undisciplined lifestyle. The player-turned-analyst called Rodman his “worst teammate” because of his antics, which included constant clubbing, not showering, arriving late to games, and eating “chicken and rice” before matchups.
Rodman’s stint with the Lakers ended early. Although he was a defensive powerhouse, his offensive production was limited. But that was not the entire reason why he ended his stint so early.
The 64-year-old revealed that O’Neal and Kobe Bryant were envious of his lifestyle, which included partying, going out before games, and other activities, and that they couldn’t stand him.
Years later, following Bryant’s passing, Shaq and Rodman are viewed as legends with mutual respect rather than individuals holding grudges.
