Did AEW Just Tease Shane McMahon’s Debut?

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As a longtime wrestling enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I can’t help but feel a tinge of excitement at the prospect of Shane McMahon making his way to All Elite Wrestling (AEW). The man has a knack for stirring up drama and creating unforgettable moments that leave fans on the edge of their seats.

Discussions about Shane McMahon’s future in pro wrestling continue to stir interest. Known as Shane-O-Mac, he last appeared on a wrestling broadcast at WWE WrestleMania 39 in April 2023, where he made an unexpected comeback against his old rival The Miz. However, just moments into the bout, Shane injured his quad and had to quit. Since then, he’s been through rigorous rehab, but there’s no news about whether Shane wishes to wrestle again or if WWE plans to involve him in any role moving forward.

That’s where AEW comes into play. Earlier this summer, WWE Hall of Famer and AEW commentator Jim Ross floated the idea of Shane joining AEW, simply suggesting that the concept was not as crazy as many would think. This hypothetical quickly snowballed into a legitimate rumor, as the following weeks saw Shane speak with AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mon? and hold a private meeting with AEW President Tony Khan.

Did AEW Just Tease Shane McMahon’s Debut?

Although Shane McMahon’s meetings with the company haven’t resulted in anything significant so far, it’s possible that the groundwork for his appearance in AEW has recently been laid.

Last Wednesday on AEW Dynamite, Jon Moxley made his first television appearance since June. He challenged Darby Allin, the ex-AEW TNT Champion, stating he wished to have a conversation with him. As it seemed their segment was wrapping up, Moxley seized the microphone from AEW commentator Tony Schiavone, glared at him, and declared, “This isn’t your company anymore.”

“This is not your company anymore”

— Jon Moxley#AEWDynamite

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) August 29, 2024

Later in the show, AEW’s Marina Shafir joined Moxley in a backstage attack on some security guards.

There are two possible meanings in Moxley’s statement. He might be using a figurative sense, implying that he, Shafir, and other wrestlers who specialize in shoot-style fights could be plotting to take over AEW by instigating more conflicts behind the scenes. Notably, both Moxley and Shafir are frequent participants in GCW Bloodsport, a unique blend of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. Alternatively, Moxley could be speaking literally, addressing Schiavone as if he were talking to AEW President Tony Khan, hinting at a change in ownership within AEW without explicitly saying it.

Regarding recent fan theories, it’s suggested that Shane McMahon could be involved in a new ownership storyline within professional wrestling. Given his background and industry knowledge, he seems like a plausible choice for such a role. This scenario would draw parallels with one of the most iconic angles in wrestling history, where Shane unexpectedly took over WCW back in 2001, effectively ousting his father, Vince McMahon, who was then WWE Chairman at the time. In the mid-2010s, Moxley and Shane had a close working relationship on WWE SmackDown, with Moxley (then Dean Ambrose) being one of Shane’s first selections for the blue brand.

Beyond any ownership connections, it’s worth noting that Shane shares affinity with the Moxley and Shafir fight group. Shane has been a devoted fan of mixed martial arts for quite some time now. In fact, he was instrumental in trying to introduce a blend of worked-shoot style combat to WWE Monday Night Raw, which materialized as Raw Underground.

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2024-08-29 20:11