Rodman and Malone: From the NBA to the WCW Ring
In the summer of 1998, the rivalry between Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone, emblematic figures of the NBA, transcended the basketball courts to star in an unforgettable chapter in the world of professional wrestling. This event, which fused sport with entertainment, generated great expectation and controversy. The story began in the 1998 NBA Finals, where Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls faced Malone’s Utah Jazz. In the sixth game of the series, a play in which Rodman and Malone tangled on the court fueled rumors of a possible foray into wrestling.The connection between Rodman and Malone with WCW (World Championship Wrestling) was established through Diamond Dallas Page, who befriended Malone. Page, upon learning of Rodman’s return to WCW, suggested a tag team match between the two, which piqued Malone’s interest. Rodman made his WCW return on the Nitro program, where he starred in segments with Hulk Hogan and Bret Hart, and got involved in an altercation with Diamond Dallas Page. However, the focus was on his absence from the Bulls’ training, which cost him a fine from the NBA and the team. WCW’s strategy was to leverage the popularity of the NBA Finals to promote the match between Rodman and Malone. Despite the risks, the company sought to capitalize on the rivalry between the players. During the decisive game, Bischoff gave clear instructions to Rodman and Malone, asking them not to affect the outcome of the match, but to take advantage of any opportunity to show their animosity. Bob Costas’ narration during the game reflected the surprise and skepticism at Rodman and Malone’s foray into wrestling.“We compromised the NBA Finals,” said Mark Madden, a wrestling journalist.
Mark Madden
