SmackDown Live commissioner, Shane McMahon, has recently replaced Baron Corbin in the Survivor Series five-on-five match against RAW’s top five. While Shane-O-Mac’s inclusion in the bout has inspired a worldwide backlash from the WWE Universe, it might end up being a desirable situation from WWE’s perspective.
McMahon’s association with the match, can inspire a rush of nostalgia for avid fans, and take them on a sweet trip back to the Attitude Era. While The Lone Wolf possesses a lot of potential, he has been underutilized to the core and does not have the same drawing power that Shane-O inspires.
Let us take a look at five reasons why Shane McMahon is indeed a perfect replacement for the allegedly injured Baron Corbin:
#5 It could end up catapulting Shane McMahon to his next feud
While Shane is not on the SmackDown Live roster, he isn’t a shoddy performer and can bless his fans with a shot infested spectacle, occasionally. Shane’s presence at the brand vs. brand match can witness him initiating a feud with one of the superstars on his roster.
Dean Ambrose seems like a good candidate, as his turning on James Ellsworth could trigger the rivalry between The Lunatic Fringe and the Commissioner of SmackDown Live. WWE has subtly been teasing tension between Ambrose and Ellsworth, if the later costs his team the match, it could envisage Ambrose turning on the no-chin Ellsworth.
Shane’s sympathy towards Ellsworth could enrage Ambrose and could thus culminate this feud. Dean Ambrose being the top face of the Blue Brand makes this theory a bit far fetched.
Nevertheless, WWE would not shy away from a double turn. AJ Styles as face anyone?
#4 True Leader
While AJ Styles is the captain of the Team Blue, having a face as the head of the Blue bandwagon would make more sense. On top of that, being an authority figure might eventually be the driving force, as other Superstars are less likely to engage in any shenanigans, in the presence of the commissioner.
With the SmackDown team consisting mostly of polarising figures, who are currently feuding with each other in their respective storylines, a neutral personality like Shane can help them gel and get one up on their counterparts.
It also gives them a psychological advantage, as an authority figure like Shane could lead by example, instead of rallying backstage with his words falling on deaf ears. He endorses the Blue Brand better than any other Superstar on the SmackDown roster and also rounds up the team of contradictory personalities, making them appear more of a unit in comparison to RAW’s top five.
#3 It uplifts the star power of the match, which would result in more PPV buys
WWE has booked Survivor Series brilliantly, with Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar at the helm, their approach caters more to mature fans. Shane’s presence would further their cause, as seeing, the two seasoned veterans (Goldberg and Shane), would be reminiscent of the good ol' Attitude Era days.
While Survivor Series might already be a sold-out show, Shane’s association with Team Blue could boost PPV numbers on the WWE Network. It has been noted that WWE Universe responds positively to a returning star.
If WWE structures the upcoming SmackDown Live, surrounding the idea of Shane making a return, it could prove climacteric to the success of Survivor Series by generating more demand for PPV buys. This institutionalises a strategic victory for the WWE.
#4 It could result in a more impactful match
Shane is a legend in his own right. His daredevil attitude that inspires jaw-dropping moments can add another facet to the otherwise well-rounded match. Shane-O is known for having spot infested matches, with crazy moves that have become a rarity in WWE today.
With balls bigger than the size of a Volkswagen, Shane is single-handedly responsible for having few of the most remarkable moments ever to take place inside the squared circle (well most of them happened outside the ring, but you get the idea).
His 30-feet elbow drop from the Titantron at Backlash 2001 against Big Show, being put through plexiglass multiple times by Kurt Angle at King of the Ring 2001 or even his 20-feet drop from the top of the cage at Wrestlemania 32 against The Undertaker, are all examples of Shane-O-Mac giving us moments that will be engraved in our memory forever.
If Shane has it in him to do such a spot again at Survivor Series (which I am sure he does), it would take the show to the another level and forever cement his legacy as the companies top swashbuckler; something that Mick Foley has in the bag for now.
#1 It gives Shane a chance to get one up against Stephanie McMahon
With both RAW and SmackDown Live competing to be the flagship show, the rivalry between the billionaire siblings has intensified. Shane, being a part of the PPV, has the edge over his ’evil’ sister as he can directly influence the outcome of the match, while Stephanie can do nothing but sit back and witness the annihilation RAW receives at the hands of Shane-O and his crew.
When Vince relinquished the ownership of the respective brands to each of his two offspring, he instilled in them a sense of conflict, stating that he wants his two children to ‘tear each other apart’, to stay atop.
While Stephanie has taken every opportunity to humiliate her older brother, Shane might finally be at a juncture, where he can mortify his kin and push The Blue brand as the Paramount show of the WWE.
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