A pair of new reports details why negotiations between AEW and former WWE executive Shane McMahon did not go very far.
Last summer, wrestling fans were shocked when it was revealed that the son of WWE founder Vince McMahon was poking around to get some inside intel about AEW. Then a month later a picture went viral on social media of AEW boss Tony Khan meeting with Shane McMahon at an airport in Texas.
Related: Could Shane McMahon Cross Tony Khan And AEW For Vince McMahon?
With McMahon and his father no longer connected with the company they formerly led, speculation ran rampant that one or both of them could be looking to take on a major role with WWE’s top competitor. However, days and weeks flew off the calendar and McMahon never appeared on AEW television. And the word around the industry was that a deal was not happening.
Well, a new rumor sheds new light on the situation and it includes Khan ghosting McMahon not long after their conversation.
Shane McMahon wanted to run AEW?
“I have it on good authority that Shane McMahon asked for the world,” former WWE announcer Jonathan Coachman claimed on “The Coach & Bro Show” this week. “He asked for equity in the company and he asked to come in and run the entire show.
“It was probably the first time that I said to myself I actually agree with Tony Khan ghosting him because Tony ghosted Shane. It wasn’t the other way around. And the fact that Shane was at the Super Bowl with his dad, it’s like he can’t figure out what he wants to do.”
Following the comments, Fightful confirmed that McMahon did indeed want to take over AEW despite having very limited knowledge of the product and roster.
It was a bold idea from Shane McMahon. And, unsurprisingly, Tony Khan would not just give away control of a company he has worked very hard to build, for better or worse. If McMahon had wanted to be an executive and talent under Khan, he probably might be working their today.
Related: Vince McMahon And Shane McMahon Are Trying To Buy AEW Says Controversial Personality
