How to book Shane McMahon if ex-WWE star makes AEW leap

The Post’s Joseph Staszewski covers the world of professional wrestling in his weekly column, “Post Match Angle.”

It’s been said that the two most powerful words in the wrestling world are “what if,” and surprisingly, it appears that Shane McMahon could be joining AEW.

What seemed like nothing happened until recently was suddenly reversed last week when photos of a private meeting between Vince McMahon’s only son and AEW president Tony Khan were leaked on social media via WrestleTalk, with Fightful reporting that the two had discussed “potential future opportunities.”

McMahon later confirmed the meeting, calling it a great one in a statement to Bully Ray.

AEW has been good at keeping secrets for over five years now, and watching this unfold, it seems like both sides wanted to make this meeting public to add intrigue to the shock move of McMahon showing up.

So let’s assume McMahon goes to AEW.

An event of this magnitude needs to be properly prepared, and while there seem to be a few ways AEW could make that happen, a clear path may not emerge anytime soon.

I would put McMahon in an elite storyline because he needs to be in something important, preferably not in a side fight with some random wrestler. I could also put McMahon against Khan. Khan would have to be willing to return to TV.

The Elite need to regroup and try something new to save AEW after the setback at Blood & Guts, so they start looking for a new business or strategic partner. After a few weeks of meetings, they set up for this new person to appear. It’s either during All In or shortly after All Out, and it’s revealed that this person is McMahon.

He will want to mold AEW into his vision, McMahon’s vision, with the help of the EVPs he has now betrayed, and ultimately betray them, either by aligning with Khan or usurping their power in AEW and possibly Kazuchika Okada.

Another option is similar to what Lex Luger mentioned on his podcast, where McMahon could bring in a group of ex-WWE talent to lead the charge, possibly bringing back Miro. With Elite vs. AEW just wrapping up, it’s unclear how that will play out.

If McMahon were to be deployed in a small-scale singles match, three names would make sense: MJF, Darby Allin and Jon Moxley.

They don’t trust McMahon’s sincerity in being with AEW and they’ll have a great reality-based promo.

Moxley might have a way of getting McMahon to start building his own team to rival Blackpool Combat Club.

If McMahon is willing to meekly work for Khan and AEW, the company needs to make a bold move or he will be forgotten like other former WWE heavyweights.

Chic Sense

Wyatt Sixx’s ring debut, although it was only for one night, was a huge success as WWE found a solid balance between their flashy, supernatural entrances and the spectacle between the ropes.

Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis and Erick Rowan competed on speed, aggression and power, not superhuman strength, but it was a nice tribute to Wyatt to see all three of them take off their masks and have Bo Dallas watch from a rocking chair wearing an Uncle Howdy mask. It’ll be interesting to see when to put the mask on and when to take it off, especially for Howdy.

It’s a balance WWE has tried and tested throughout its run, but for one night alone it worked, with enough nostalgia for Bray Wyatt and a strong introduction to the new group.

Patriot Act

This comes as a bit of a wake-up call for MJF, Will Ospreay and AEW to see the company’s longest-reigning world champion leaning so heavily into “The American Hero,” which is understandable considering MJF is expecting some heavy backlash in the American (International) Championship match at All In at Wembley Stadium.

But let’s not think too hard about the MJF vs. Ospreay story, because there are plenty of deeper avenues to explore about an established star getting jealous of a newcomer trying to usurp his position.

I don’t want to make the American crowd choose every week whether they want to root for Ospreay or the guy who represents their country. Last week on Dynamite, MJF got chants of “USA!” but Ospreay reversed that.

10 counts

WWE strangely didn’t have a segment featuring Dominik Mysterio, Liv Morgan, or Rhea Ripley, but there was good logic and consistency behind why Finn Balor betrayed Damian Priest. The former World Heavyweight Champion took Balor’s title, considered himself superior to the group, and broke the Judgment Day rule. You may not like what Balor did, but you can understand why.

Bryan Danielson has been battling serious injuries and is said to be nearing the end of his career as a full-time wrestler, but he changed all that by putting his career on the line against Swerve Strickland at All In. Emotions will be running high as this will either be his final match or Strickland’s AEW Championship reign will come to an untimely end and Danielson will win the title once more to end it all on a high note.

Matt Cardona interrupting PCO and Stephanie de Lander’s wedding in TNA makes too much sense considering he’s worked with de Lander on the indies many times. Cardona’s recent injury made it feel like it was a long time since he’d had a feature-length storyline on TV, and de Lander’s rejection and departure made that happen. PCO’s supernatural gimmick feels like it gives them an endless avenue to explore.