Well this is certainly depressing news.

After months of retired former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal teasing that he was going to be making an appearance at WrestleMania 28 in Miami on April 1, even hinting that he would wrestling a match, Wrestling Observer is now reporting that he won't be there at all.

They're calling it a "dead issue."

That raises a lot of questions, specifically why exactly Shaq was so vehement about appearing at the show. He was rumored for a program with Big Show, who he worked with before and, of course, would be a natural fit to go up against. But for whatever reason, it's all seemed to fall through and Show is now headed for a match against Cody Rhodes for the Intercontinental title.

It's possible WWE changed their minds. Indeed, when Shaq first started talking about being in deep negotiations with the company, it was reported that officials high up on the food chain weren't exactly happy about it. Naturally, the story progressed to today, with Shaq apparently out of the picture altogether, though he's still not acting like it.

Late last month, WWE.com ran an article outright denying that O'Neal would even appear on the card. It now appears the only celebrity with a real shot of having a match is Extra host Maria Menounos. Joy.

Pro wrestling, ladies and gentlemen. Where you believe none of what you hear and even less of what you see.