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It may not appear like it at first glance but Shane McMahon is one of the WWE's trump cards when it comes to SmackDown Live.
I'm sure all of you would have reconciled with the fact that the Blue brand is clearly the B show in terms of priority, booking and talent. As such, it is especially suffering from a dearth of top-tier talent in the absence of John Cena.
But one dependable hand the WWE can always bank on to bail them out on a big pay-per-view is the brand's Commissioner, Shane McMahon.
Now Shane McMahon may not have a stellar win-loss ratio...but whenever he laces up his wrestling boots, it's must-watch television.
Whether it's his insane tendency to take risks or merely the heart that he displays against competitors that are customarily bigger and stronger than him, something about Shane McMahon makes you want to watch him compete.
Which explains why he headlined Hell in a Cell and was also booked as the last man standing for Team SmackDown at Survivor Series.
However you choose to spin it, Shane McMahon is a star and the WWE would do well to squeeze as many matches as it can from him before he leaves again.
On that note, here are 5 WWE Superstars that he can feud against next.
If you have any that you can think of, do let us know in the comments section.
#1. Daniel Bryan
They may still be sugar-coated by warm handshakes and a united front...but the cracks between Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon are well and truly beginning to develop.
And on the other hand, we're hearing news from the Bryan camp that he's been cleared to wrestle by all the other doctors apart from the one in WWE.
Could the perpetrator of the Yes! Movement be in line for a return to the ring sooner rather than later?
If so, rather than manufacture a feud for his return, the WWE could just continue building on the rift between him and Shane McMahon...until it explodes one day.
After all, Bryan did make his name fighting against the Authority, didn't he?
#2. KO/Sami Zayn
As of now, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are practically one and the same person.
After the BFFs united post Hell in a Cell, they've literally been an inseparable pain in the neck for everyone else.
And the fact that they connived to cost Team SmackDown Live the match at Survivor Series, leaving Shane McMahon as the last man standing, has them both in the doghouse.
So if Shane decides to go after one of them (either one doesn't make a difference), it is completely understandable right now.
Especially since he was denied the satisfaction of sacking them by a holier-than-thou Daniel Bryan, I wouldn't be surprised at all if Shane takes matters into his own hand again.
#3. Baron Corbin
The Lone Wolf is an up and coming heel that could do with a main event-worthy program with someone like Shane, especially since the Commissioner of SmackDown Live is bound to lose to him.
All Corbin needs to do is drop the US Title to Bobby Roode and he's practically clear to be involved in a feud with Shane McMahon.
Personally, I don't know if even the US Title can elevate Corbin to the next level like a heated feud against Shane can.
And if the commentary calls are anything to go by, they refer to Corbin as a future champion enough times for us to get a hint that he's high on Vince McMahon's 'push' list.
Shane McMahon could be just the man to put him on the fast track to realize his destiny.
#4. Jinder Mahal
The Modern Day Maharaja was made WWE Champion to target the Indian demographic...but the WWE must have realized that it's Roman Reigns and John Cena who're really popular out here as they've stripped him of the Title and given it to AJ Styles.
Also, their Championship rematch is scheduled for Clash of Champions...meaning that Jinder Mahal will likely not be WWE Champion when the company visits India.
So if the WWE are just looking to push him as an upper-mid card heel without putting a Championship on him, a feud against Shane McMahon could serve that scenario perfectly.
Mahal will pick up a solid win over someone who's in and around the main event scene and establish himself as a credible heel at the same time.
And SmackDown Live direly needs all the legitimate talent that it can get right now.
#5. Rusev
For a while now the impressive Bulgarian specimen has been reduced to comedic relief along with Aiden English.
But for those of you who remember the undefeated streak he amassed when he just burst onto the scene, you'll attest to the fact that he's capable of so much more.
Really, all Rusev needs is a feud which actually matters and gets regular television time. And he'll get exactly that in a program involving Shane McMahon.
And if Lana is thrown into the mix too, we have all the elements we need for an intriguing feud in the making.
It's all well and good complaining about the lack of talent on SmackDown Live...but perhaps the WWE should focus on utilizing the likes of Rusev properly first.
I, for one, would very much like to commemorate Rusev Day. Wouldn't you?
