10 WrestleMania 38 Card Predictions After Royal Rumble 2022

5. Austin Theory vs. Shane McMahon

As divisive as his reported Royal Rumble meddling was backstage, Shane McMahon is going to be on WWE television a lot over the coming months.

An upcoming heel run should place Shane on the Elimination Chamber and WrestleMania cards. WWE sees him as a star beyond most on the roster, so this isn't surprising (and, in fairness, he is received as one by many, many crowds). Ultimately, this is another situation that highlights the promotion's inability to create new stars, as if Vince McMahon had succeeded in that department at any point since John Cena broke out, he wouldn't have to call on his 52-year-old son. The full-timers would be trusted to shift tickets and pop the audience.

But here we are.

Though both are heel at the moment, Austin Theory looks like Shane's likeliest opponent from a storyline standpoint. The up-and-comer is currently battling to earn Vince's favour on Raw. Getting through Shane, who outstruck a former UFC fighter in the Royal Rumble, is a believable barrier either for the elder McMahon to throw in front of his would-be protege or as something stemming from the prodigal son's jealousy at his father putting so much focus into somebody else.