Leverage for return, interpromotional supershow? - 4 possible outcomes from former WWE figure Shane McMahon and AEW's Tony Khan's unforeseen meeting
Huge news that could impact WWE, AEW, and the wrestling world dropped on Wednesday. According to reports, Vince McMahon's son Shane McMahon met with All Elite Wrestling's Tony Khan earlier this week.
The meeting got a decent amount of buzz on social media and many of those in the industry and who discuss pro wrestling were debating whether Shane would be joining AEW and if that would be a good thing. The talk blew up enough to the point that McMahon himself put out a statement.
For now, it isn't clear what went down in the meeting, nor how serious discussions between the two parties truly were. Still, there is a lot of speculation regarding what may happen as a result of it.
This article will take a look at four possible outcomes that could come from the meeting between McMahon and Khan. This includes a massive inter-promotional show, Shane joining "the competition," and more.
Below are four possible outcomes from former WWE figure Shane McMahon and AEW's Tony Khan's unforeseen meeting.
#4. It could just be publicity for both Shane and AEW
WWE, AEW, and pro wrestling, in general, is a form of entertainment. Those involved in the industry are featured on television, in newspapers and magazines, are highlighted on social media, and are written about on various websites such as Sportskeeda.
This means those in wrestling are constantly in the public eye and typically, at least over time, begin to learn how to play the game and keep attention on them. When it comes to Tony Khan and Shane McMahon's meeting, the two could have been doing just that.
The pair may not work together at all. Instead, Tony knows meeting with Shane will get eyeballs on his programs, such as Dynamite and Collision. Meanwhile, McMahon likely wants positive publicity given the issues facing his family following allegations made against his father, Vince. With the two meeting, it could help both parties even if nothing happens moving forward.
#3. He could work for All Elite Wrestling
The other end of the spectrum is that the meeting was very purposeful and with the intention of the two working together. Shane McMahon has been with WWE his entire life, at least when it comes to his time in pro wrestling, so this would be a massive move.
The big question, of course, is what Shane will do. McMahon is in his mid-50s and hasn't ever truly been a full-time wrestler anyway, much less now. As a result, the former WWE name won't likely wrestle often, if at all.
Shane could become an on-screen authority figure. Many AEW critics believe that Tony Khan doesn't work in an on-screen role thanks to his lack of experience. If Khan agrees with the sentiment or at least listens to the discourse, McMahon could become a commissioner or kayfabe matchmaker for the company and replace Tony in the role.
#2. Shane McMahon could use the meeting as leverage to return home
The wrestling world is very much a political minefield. To succeed, one typically needs to know how to play the game and get as much leverage as possible. Shane McMahon, having spent the bulk of his life involved with the business, knows this all too well.
As a result, his meeting with Tony Khan may not actually be about going to All Elite Wrestling. Instead, there is a chance that McMahon has used the meeting to get leverage and possibly return to WWE under the TKO umbrella.
Currently, McMahon has zero power in WWE and TKO. In fact, nobody with the name McMahon has any. Shane knows, however, that his name has value. If he teases joining AEW, Nick Khan and Triple H may urge the higher-ups to get McMahon on board, perhaps even with a seat on the board of directors.
#1. He could help forge an AEW-WWE working relationship
WWE under Triple H is a different beast than it was under Vince McMahon. Not only is the Sports Entertainment juggernaut making more money than ever, but they are constantly finding new ways to engage fans.
One way the promotion has done this is by working with other wrestling companies. TNA Wrestling and NXT regularly work together, plus the Sports Entertainment juggernaut is or has recently collaborated with NOAH, Marigold, Bloodsport, and Reality of Wrestling.
Instead of Shane trying to end up in AEW or pit the companies against each other, he could instead be looking to smooth things over between the two sides in the hopes of forging a working relationship. If done correctly, WWE and AEW could have an interpromotional supershow that would break all kinds of pro wrestling records. Could Shane be trying to make it happen?