WWE legend John Cena picks Shaq ahead of Oscar-winning Laker legend among his top 3 rapper-athletes

WWE legend John Cena paid respect to NBA icon Shaquille O'Neal when talking about his top three rapper-athletes of all time. Besides being a bodybuilder and one of the best wrestlers in WWE history, Cena is an avid rap fan. So much so that he put out a rap album in 2005 called 'You Can't See Me.'

Speaking with NFL legend Shannon Sharpe on Wednesday's edition of 'Club Shay Shay' show, Cena was asked to name his top three athlete-rappers of all time. Despite being given more than three options, he picked three former basketball players.

Sharpe: "Give me your top three athlete rappers. You get Sha, Deion Sanders, Roy Jones Jr., Dame Lillard, Master P, Kobe. You only get three."

John Cena: "Master P, Kobe, and Shaq."

He went a little further and showered O'Neal with praise, recalling a moment he had with the four-time NBA champion that confirmed he hadn't lost a step.

Master P transitioned from rap to the NBA, while the late Kobe Bryant was successful with his off-field projects except for rapping. He even won an Oscar after retiring from the game, but being a rapper wasn't his thing.

Cena: "Yeah, Shaq's got skills, man. I think I did Carpool Karaoke with him. He can flow, he can still flow."

Shannon: "Oh yeah, for sure."

John Cena: "He's good. He's got a doctorate, he's smart."

[29:07 mark]

John Cena has been in the WWE since 2002, marking an era in the industry with his character. After a tumultuous start to his tenure, he used his military and rap background to build a character that has resonated with many fans for over two decades.

Shaquille O'Neal enjoyed success as both an NBA player and rapper

O'Neal was successful as a rapper. He went on to win and was nominated for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal at the 39th Grammy Awards in 1997 for his song 'Big Dog Stomp,' which featured Notorious B.I.G.

O'Neal has five studio albums in total, four of which came during his time as a rapper. 'Shaq Diesel' was released in 1993 and went Platinum. 'Shaq Fu: Da Return' was released one year later and went gold. He dropped a new album in 1996 called 'You Can't Stop the Reign', and two years later, 'Respect' came out.

He remained close to music even after his basketball career ended. The Big Aristotle became an Electronic Dance Music (EDM) DJ and producer under the name 'Diesel,' enjoying more success and supporting new talents.