Shaquille O’Neal to address AEW on Wednesday’s Dynamite

Shaq is coming to AEW Dynamite.

AEW has announced that NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal will appear on this Wednesday’s episode of Dynamite: “BREAKING NEWS @Shaq addresses #AEW with @tonyschiavone24! Watch #AEWDynamite this Wednesday night on @TNTDrama 8e/7c or AEWPlus.com by @FiteTV for our International fans. #AEWonTNT”

Shaq appearing for AEW was teased when the debuting Jade Cargill interrupted Cody Rhodes on Dynamite last month. Cargill mentioned that Cody had called himself a giant killer and asked him what he knows about giants. Cargill said there’s nothing giant about Cody. Cargill said she knows a real giant — and slick statements like Cody’s are an echo loud enough to wake him.

Cargill congratulated Cody on now being able to use his full name, but she said he must not have the balls to go by one name. Cargill said the giant she was talking about is the real star — and his name is Shaq. Brandi Rhodes then confronted Cargill on the stage.

It was mentioned on commentary during the segment with Cody, Cargill, and Brandi that Shaq had been backstage at AEW’s Full Gear pay-per-view on November 7.

AEW announced after Cargill’s debut that she’s signed a multi-year deal with the promotion. The following week on Dynamite, there was a backstage segment where Cargill attacked Brandi.

Shaq is a panelist on Inside the NBA on TNT. When he re-signed with WarnerMedia this August, the press release announcing his new deal teased that Shaq could make a cameo at a future AEW event. Shaq also sent a message to Cody: “I’d love to fight Cody. Write it. Print it. Text it to him. Call AEW up and tell them.”

After Sting made his AEW debut last week, this Wednesday’s Dynamite will also feature Schiavone conducting Sting’s first interview in the promotion.

Here’s the updated lineup for this week’s Dynamite:

  • Tony Schiavone interviews Sting
  • The Inner Circle ultimatum (The Inner Circle will either decide to unite as one or break up forever)
  • Shaq addresses AEW with Tony Schiavone
  • Orange Cassidy vs. MJF for the Dynamite Diamond Ring
  • Non-title match: AEW Tag Team Champions The Young Bucks vs. Jack Evans & Angelico (if Evans & Angelico win, they’ll get a future AEW Tag Team title shot)
  • Lance Archer, Penta El Zero Miedo & Rey Fenix vs. Eddie Kingston, The Butcher & The Blade
  • FTR vs. Griff Garrison & Brian Pillman Jr.
  • Dustin Rhodes vs. Preston “10” Vance
  • Abadon in action

Dynamite will also feature the fallout from Kenny Omega’s AEW World Championship win and his appearance on this Tuesday’s episode of Impact Wrestling.