Recently, there has been speculation about Shane McMahon potentially joining AEW, sparked by Jim Ross discussing the idea on his Grilling JR podcast. Ross suggested that Shane joining AEW would be so surprising that it might work.
The following week, Ross’ co-host, Conrad Thompson, mentioned hearing from a friend that it’s not as improbable as it seems, noting that Shane has expressed hypothetical interest.
The Wrestling Observer reported that people within AEW who would typically be informed haven’t heard anything concrete, aside from what Thompson mentioned. One source said the idea came up during a casual conversation with a former WWE star now in AEW and wasn’t taken seriously, which might explain why key individuals in AEW weren’t aware of it.
Mercedes Mone confirmed in her weekly newsletter that she and McMahon ran into each other at an airport shortly after these rumors emerged. Tony Khan, AEW’s President, has previously stated in interviews that Shane is “welcome to stop by at any time” and described him as a “really nice guy”.
Fightful and WrestleTalk reported today that Khan and McMahon had a meeting on Monday at a private airport in Arlington, where they discussed “possibilities moving forward”. Fightful noted that Khan had been open to talking with McMahon for a while, but it was believed they hadn’t spoken before the recent rumors about Shane potentially joining All Elite Wrestling.
Khan has reportedly been very open to “using” McMahon for several weeks and has made it clear that he is open to discussing the idea with him when it has come up backstage.
The following photo from their meeting leaked online:
TBS Women’s Champion & NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone (fka Sasha Banks in WWE) went on to claim on X that she took the above photo.
lol I took that pic
🤑#AEW— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) July 31, 2024
WrestleVotes reported the following about the backstage reaction to Shane’s meeting with Tony:
“Asked a longtime WWE employee friendly with Shane for thoughts on the Tony Khan picture. The response: ‘Shane’s as smart as they come; taking a preliminary meeting doesn’t surprise anyone here.’”
Shane O’Mac was last seen on WWE programming at WrestleMania 39 in April 2023, where he tore his quad during an impromptu match against The Miz.
WATCH: Mercedes Mone / Sasha Banks’ Buns Accidentally Exposed In AEW:
