Wrestling fans, grab your rumor shields because the idea of Shane McMahon jumping to AEW might be more fantasy than reality. Today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter features an update from Dave Meltzer that throws some cold water on the sizzling speculation.
In a statement that’s about as subtle as a powerbomb, AEW CEO Tony Khan told Meltzer, “I’ve never met him or talked to him in my life.” That’s right, folks—Khan and McMahon have as much history as an unopened history book.
Meltzer added that after chatting with AEW insiders and McMahon’s camp, there’s zilch to suggest any real talks about an appearance. However, whispers did surface about McMahon joking with an ex-WWE star in AEW about the shock value of such a crossover. So, maybe McMahon was just having a laugh?
This whole whirlwind started on last week’s “Grilling JR,” where AEW commentator Jim Ross and co-host Conrad Thompson mused about the possibility. Ross said he’d love to see McMahon in AEW, and Thompson later hinted he’d heard from a reliable source that McMahon had been chatting with AEW talent. Cue the internet going wild.
For those who missed it, McMahon’s last in-ring drama was at WWE WrestleMania 39, where he tore his quad minutes into his segment, leaving Snoop Dogg to save the day against The Miz. And let’s not forget the creative disaster that was the 2022 WWE Royal Rumble, which saw McMahon unceremoniously shown the door.