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DDP Reflects on Karl Malone’s WCW In-Ring Debut
WCW legend Diamond Dallas Page recently reflected on the famous tag team match involving Karl Malone and Dennis Rodman. They took their rivalry from the NBA Finals to the world of pro wresting in a highly publicized tag team match.
Malone teamed with Page to take on Rodman and Hollywood Hulk Hogan at Bash at the Beach ’98. The matchup gained plenty of attention, considering what unfolded in the NBA finals.
Rodman was viewed as a polarizing and sometimes controversial personality, while Malone was held in high regard by the media. During an appearance on The Game Plan, Page recalled the contrast between how Rodman’s WCW appearance was received compared to Malone’s.
Bash at the Beach ’98 was a success, generating 580, 000 pay-per-view buys. Page highlighted that ‘The Mailman’s involvement was a game changer and brought in more media attention.
“That was a spectacle, that was like nothing I have ever been a part of because this was like a huge, real press conference,” Page said. “When Karl Malone came in, greatness. A lot of people don’t know until LeBron [James] passed him and is now the leading scorer of all time, [Malone] is No. 3. Not Kobe [Bryant], not Michael [Jordan], Karl is No. 3. And he went to college.
Karl Malone’s Involvement with WCW Was Initially Criticized
Although Karl Malone’s involvement with WCW was successful from a business standpoint, it was initially criticized. During the 1998 NBA Finals matchup between the Bulls and Jazz, Malone and Dennis Rodman had a brief exchange.
After battling for a loose ball in the 3rd quarter of Game 6, Rodman was fouled after his brief shoving match with Malone. Bob Costas, who called the game for NBC, referenced their upcoming WCW matchup and felt it was beneath Malone.
“It’s the third [foul] on Rodman. He and [Malone] regrettably, are scheduled to wrestle in one of those bogus events next month,” Costas said. “Why Malone wants to lower himself to that is anyone’s guess. And Rodman apparently wants to start the wrestling now.”
Ex-NBA Player Tracy Murray Once Shared Reaction to Karl Malone and Dennis Rodman in WCW
Malone and Rodman sparked plenty of interest in WCW during their feud and rightfully so. They were fresh off their second consecutive NBA Finals matchup.
WCW used their popularity to book a star studded tag team match, which became their second highest pay-per-view buyrate in company history. The match also sparked interest among the active NBA players both on their respective teams, and around the league.
Former NBA player Tracy Murray shared insight to how the match was perceived. Murray revealed that although their involvement wasn’t well received by the NBA or media, the players were supportive.
“I don’t think it was frowned upon with the players per se. It was with the media, it was with the powers that be. You know, they don’t want their players out there taking risks in a ring. There were a lot of players that went to that [event]” Murray told VIBE 105.5FM Toronto in 2023. “There was a lot of Jazz players there to support Karl.”
He added:
“It was cool to see them in a different element.”
Giancarlo Aulino Giancarlo Aulino is sports writer who covers UFC for Heavy.com. He began writing for Heavy in 2025 after providing MMA coverage for Sportskeeda. Giancarlo is an experienced journalist and interviewer, having covered soccer clubs Toronto FC and York United FC as a full-season reporter, and also producing sports coverage for Toronto radio station VIBE 105.5FM.
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