Shane McMahon is reportedly no longer with WWE.
Shane, the son of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, has been an on-screen talent and a producer in recent years, but new reports state that he has been ‘”quietly let go” by the company.
According to Ringside News, Shane was the subject of many issues during this past weekend’s Royal Rumble event, a match he was a surprise entrant in but reportedly also worked on the match as an agent/producer. The production of the match was reportedly the source of frustration backstage, as changes were repeatedly made to the contest, which made it harder for talent to prepare for the bout. Ringside News’ report continues to mention that Shane was “quietly let go” from the company and the creative team was told to not include McMahon in any further storyline ideas.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful provided some more context to the original report and why he wasn’t able to confirm the news, he was reportedly told by a source that the news of Shane’s departure was “likely true”. Ross Sapp also goes on to mention that Shane was “integral” in putting the men’s Royal Rumble match together, even though he wasn’t listed as an official producer for the match. This report also links McMahon to many of the “late changes” in the bout, which were a specific source of frustration with the battle royal.
Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer then confirmed Ringside News’ report on Wednesday; he stated that McMahon is “out of the company”, but it’s unclear whether this shift is a reflection of the termination of his deal, or if the company’s previously reported plans for him had simply been dropped. McMahon returned as an on-screen performer in the Men’s Royal Rumble match on Saturday; he eliminated former WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens, and he was the second runner-up in the bout. Brock Lesnar, who ultimately won the bout, eliminated McMahon.
Update: Mike Johnson of PWInsider reported more information about the situation; per his report, McMahon had been pushing to have a match at WrestleMania 38, but this plan wasn’t locked in as of Monday. Others wanted WWE to book McMahon against Seth Rollins for the show, but plans for the set-up to this match were dropped from the Men’s Royal Rumble match. Either way, as Johnson wrote in a previous report, McMahon had been set to regain his status as a regular presence on WWE RAW.
Johnson then wrote that McMahon was not backstage at RAW on Monday, and he has been pulled from the integral roster. In another detail, Johnson reported that Shane was frustrated due to all of the changes in the Royal Rumble match because he “wasn’t being allowed to do what he wanted.” Additionally, the report noted that some sources felt Shane’s frustration stemmed from having his ideas shot down by his father, Vince, who was actively involved in booking the match.
As for the perception of the situation, Johnson noted that some feel that McMahon is taking the fall for the production of the Men’s Rumble Match, which drew a lot of criticism among fans.
The departure has not been confirmed by the company or Shane McMahon as of this writing.
Wrestlezone will continue to update the situation between Shane McMahon and WWE as information becomes available.
