Why AEW Must Take The Nuclear Option

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WWE.com

Shane has a massively impressive drawing record, as a novelty attraction at least. In February 2016, WWE panicked internally about the WrestleMania 32 ticket sales. It was supposed to be the biggest show in company history, but the combination of an injury plague and the forced, unwanted push of Roman Reigns led to a middling advance: 60,000 tickets were sold for a night on which Vince McMahon was bound and determined to set a live attendance record. As shameless as Vince was, he couldn't exactly style that. Somehow, he didn't need to. Per Dave Meltzer in the April 11, 2016 issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, "there was a huge pick up in ticket sales when the Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon match was announced" - so much so that WWE did in fact break the record set by SummerSlam 1992, even if Vince embellished it regardless.

To add to Shane's core appeal - as much as that reads as an oxymoron, it is demonstrably true - the shock factor would be incredible, even in a post-2022 wrestling world. A McMahon on AEW programming would be something beyond surreal; a sight so mind-blowing that you'd have to watch next week's show just to reconcile it.

Instantly, he would be the biggest heel in the promotion. He embodies everything the base hates. He is a McMahon. AEW has attempted to use this sentiment for heat. The Jericho Appreciation Society's sports entertainment deal, MJF putting over "Jolly old Saint Nick Khan", and more recently, the ex-WWE imports feeling entitled to star in the women's division: the success of the trope has varied, and is faltering, truthfully, but it would work to incredible effect with Shane, who is a smug, deluded pr*ck before you even consider his last name.

Shane, a rotten professional wrestler on every conceivable level after his 2001 "peak" as a brat who didn't know how soft he was, would actually be good and effective in AEW.

CONT'D...(2 of 5)

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and surefire Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!