Shaquille O’Neal is one of the best players to ever play in the league. A true beast during his time, many consider Shaq to be the most dominant player in NBA history. Shaq was so dominant that he was able to earn many nicknames during his stint in the league.
Dwight Howard tried to inherit the Superman title, much to the chagrin of Shaq. He and Howard then began a feud that still lasts to this day. The only player that O’Neal believes can rightfully take the Superman title from him is reigning NBA champion and Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But one person who went toe to toe with Shaq over nicknames is actor and WWE superstar John Cena. In 2016, Cena and O’Neal were paired together for Apple Music’s popular show ‘Carpool Karaoke’. The two were sitting in a car together talking, driving around, while listening to music.
During the episode, Cena brought up Shaq’s infamous nicknames. Thus began a pun battle between the two based on their names, and they traded nicknames between each other. Here below are the nicknames the two traded back and forth.
Cena: The Empire Strikes Shaq
Shaq: Cena Turner
Cena: Piggy Shaq Rides
Shaq: SubCena
Cena: Do you live in a Culde-Shaq?
Cena: Shaq of all trades
Shaq has had a lot of nicknames during his time in the league. Whether it be Superman, Diesel, Shaq Daddy, The Big Baryshnikov, The Big Aristotle, Wilt Chamberneezy, The Big Shamrock, or even Shaq Fu, O’Neal has made a name for himself with all these nicknames.
Shaq’s nicknames became one of the signature traits of his personality in the league. In fact, many young players in the league wanted to impress Shaq enough in order to earn a special nickname from him.
