Is Shane McMahon signing with AEW? Exploring the possibility amidst WWE absence

Shane McMahon has emerged as a subject of discourse in the wrestling world after a prominent figure from AEW suggested that the former WWE personality could fit into the Jacksonville-based promotion. While the 54-year-old could be a massive addition to All Elite Wrestling, the likelihood of him signing with the company is negligible.

Shane-O-Mac has not been seen in a wrestling ring since his controversial performance at WrestleMania 39 when he faced off against The Miz in an impromptu bout. Unfortunately, he sustained a tear in his quad toward the beginning of the match, forcing Snoop Dogg, who had accompanied him, to act as his substitute and eventually win.

Prior to that, McMahon was involved in the 2022 WWE Men's Royal Rumble as a participant and as a booker. Fans heavily criticized his creative input and performance in the match, leading to the company quietly letting him go in February of that year, although he would eventually return to the promotion.

McMahon was closely involved with the sports entertainment juggernaut from the late 1980s onwards, appearing alongside his father, former WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon, as an on-screen character while also frequently competing inside the ring. He left the company in 2009, resigning as EVP of Global Media, to pursue his own independent ventures.

However, McMahon returned to WWE in 2016 and was eventually made the Commissioner of Smackdown. During this run, he had several noteworthy feuds in the blue brand against stars like The Miz, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, and Roman Reigns. He was "fired" from the promotion during his 2019 feud with The Prizefighter, and although he returned to the company in 2020, he has primarily been making part-time appearances.

Shane McMahon is not entirely unfamiliar with working with a different promotion. During the 2001 Invasion storyline, he became the kayfabe owner of WCW after WWE had acquired their rival company and its assets.

Although the former Boy Wonder is unlikely to associate with a different promotion, considering his history with the Triple H-led company, he has been away from the company for some time, and a competitor to the promotion has emerged in the meantime in the form of AEW.

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WWE legend Jim Ross thinks Shane McMahon in AEW could work

During a recent edition of the Grilling JR podcast, veteran commentator Jim Ross suggested that Shane McMahon could feasibly join AEW. He claimed factors such as the nature of his introduction and his position in the company could affect the success of his inclusion.

"Yeah, it would. It’s so crazy that it might work, depending on how it was positioned and how it was introduced. Shane called me the other day, he’s called me two or three times, which I really appreciate. He’s always been sensitive in that respect. That’s only a question that Shane could answer. Shane and Tony Khan being together, how would that work creatively, heck, who knows? Might be great. But in any event, that all depends on Shane and what he wants to do," Ross said.

The self-proclaimed "Best in the World" may not be a plausible signing as an in-ring talent, but he could serve as a believable on-screen authority figure. McMahon could be slotted into the ongoing storyline of The Elite trying to take control of AEW from Tony Khan.

AEW celebrated its five-year anniversary with the sixth edition of Double or Nothing last month. Although the promotion could offer a fresh start and several interesting programs to enter, the odds of Shane McMahon signing with All Elite Wrestling in any capacity are very slim indeed.