AEW will not be saved even if Tony Khan brings in ex-WWE champion to the promotion, says Konnan
WCW veteran Konnan has claimed that Tony Khan bringing in a former WWE champion will not save AEW. Shane McMahon is a one-time Hardcore Champion, a one-time European Champion, and a one-time SmackDown Tag Team Champion.
On AEW Dynamite following the All In 2024 event, Jon Moxley returned after a brief hiatus and aligned with Marina Shafir. At WrestleDream, Moxley captured the AEW World Title from Bryan Danielson and formed The Death Riders faction. Furthermore, Shane McMahon has also been rumored to play a factor in the storyline.
The rumors of The Prodigal Son possibly coming to the Jacksonville-based promotion began after his picture from a private meeting with Tony Khan went viral on social media a few months ago. Fans on the internet have been speculating that Shane will be revealed as The Death Riders' higher power.
Furthermore, it has also been speculated that The Purveyor of Violence's takeover of the company will be completed after Shane McMahon takes control of AEW from Tony Khan. However, it's been months since the beginning of The Death Riders storyline, and Konnan believes it's too late for the 54-year-old to come in and turn things around.
Speaking on his Keepin' It 100 OFFICIAL podcast, Konnan stated that Shane can do nothing if Tony doesn't give up his power:
"Bro, this is like the Titanic; this is a ship that's going to hit an iceberg sooner or later, and there's nothing Shane [McMahon] can do to turn it around, especially if Tony doesn't want to relinquish power," he said. [1:41-1:55]
The former WWE personality was also spotted with Tony Khan's promotion's EVPs
A few months after his viral photo with Tony Khan, the rumors that Shane McMahon was potentially coming to AEW stayed alive due to another viral picture.
The company's EVPs, Matthew and Nicholas Jackson (The Young Bucks), caught up with The Prodigal Son at an airport in September. They later shared a picture of their meeting on their X handle.
The speculations regarding Shane McMahon turning All Elite continue ahead of the Worlds End pay-per-view, which will take place on December 28. Fans will have to wait and see if the former WWE Superstar actually shows up.
If you use quotes from the first half, please credit Keepin' It 100 OFFICIAL and give H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for transcription.