How AEW Put Cody Rhodes Vs. Shaq Together

NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal finally steps into an AEW ring for the first time on 3 March, when he teams with newcomer Jade Cargill to face Cody Rhodes and Red Velvet.

The bout has been several months in the making. Original plans called for Cody teaming with his wife, Brandi, before their pregnancy announcement, though Velvet was introduced as a substitute through ongoing storylines. Shaq has already made one direct appearance on AEW television and has constantly hyped the bout during his NBA coverage.

Interviewed by the New York Post's Joseph Staszewski, Cody said that the match essentially "willed itself into existence." He credited QT Marshall for bringing Shaq into the Nightmare Factory for training in the first place. When O'Neal had completed enough sessions "with a couple bodies that he can throw around," Rhodes knew that they'd reached a point where the bout could seriously happen, they jumped at the chance.

Here's what 'The American Nightmare' had to say on Shaq's training:-

“I know when he trains it’s very long. They put in over two hours. They go from the weight room to the ring and two to three of our better guys bump around, training themselves and want to be there. They’re there almost all night. I’ve never trained with him. He’s very much been trained by QT. They train pretty regularly and I’m excited."

Shaq's celebrity should guarantee a viewership boost for AEW Dynamite on 3 March. Cody and co. will no doubt be hoping these eyeballs stick with the product, and especially Cargill, who wasn't put in this spotlight without reason.