Latest On Shane McMahon's "Unprofessional" WWE Royal Rumble 2022 Conduct

Shane McMahon, Royal Rumble 2022, Brock Lesnar, and more.

by Andy H Murray
Shane McMahon
WWE

The pro wrestling news cycle hasn't been kind to Shane McMahon this week, with the 52-year-old's participation in the 2022 men's Royal Rumble, reported backstage meddling, and subsequent WWE release occupying headline space over multiple days. Unfortunately for him, the situation shows no signs of easing.

Speaking on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer stated that numerous people within WWE stated that McMahon had acted unprofessionally at the Rumble. The situation was described as "just a mess", with the men's Rumble match (for which Shane was a producer) changing multiple times, leading to a creative struggle.

This process involved Shane coming up with an idea, Vince McMahon shooting it down, and the process repeating. In addition, Brock Lesnar pitched a lot of ideas for the match. The eventual Rumble winner got a lot of his ideas through, while Shane did not - which lead to Shane complaining about it to a lot of people.

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Installed as a Rumble producer by Vince, it was reported shortly after the 29 January show that Shane had "tried to book the Rumble around himself." This helps explain why he inexplicably outstruck former UFC fighter Riddle and eliminated Kevin Owens from the bout.

Shane was released by WWE on Wednesday, stemming from the backstage heat generated by the above.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.