Before Monday Night Raw happened, this column was going to include an open letter to WWE management about how they are disappointing fans with the main event of WrestleMania 32. Judging by the sole reaction of WWE fans following WWE Fast Lane, fans were handing over their “fan cards.”
The hashtag “#CancelWWENetwork” actually trended for a bit due to the disappointment of Roman Reigns’ victory over Brock Lesnar and Dean Ambrose. Much like the last two years, wrestling fans weren’t content with the Roman Empire in the main event.
And then, Monday Night Raw happened.
WWE fans were told the night before that the Vincent J. McMahon Legacy Award would be handed out in the opening segment of WWE’s flagship program. As the time inched closer, social media was waiting in anticipation as to who would take home the prized possession of the WWE.
Vince McMahon made his way out to the ring to hand the award to the person most-deserved of the recognition. He announced that Stephanie was the only real contender for the trophy. The Billion Dollar Princess approached the ring in “tears” to accept the award.
Both McMahons were beside themselves as Stephanie was attempting to put herself as only a heel would. Before she could get out more than a few sentences, a familiar face’s music hit the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
“HERE COMES THE MONEY!”
Over 15,00o WWE fans were up on their feet to celebrate the return of Shane McMahon. This came as a huge shock, especially since the rift between Shane and Vince occurred several years ago. To say that the Internet Wrestling Community was shocked is truly an understatement. Here are a few reactions on Twitter for Shane’s arrival:
BAH GAWD!! ITS SHANE MCMAHON!!! SHANE MCMAHON !!! GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY AS GOD AS MY WITNESS BUSINESS HAS PICKED UP!!!
— FrontRowBrian® (@FrontRowBrian) February 23, 2016
SHANE MCMAHON!!!?!!??!?!?!?!?!?!!?!
— Jonathan Fisher (@JonFisherIQ) February 23, 2016
I absolutely loved the first segment! Well done, WWE.
— The VOTV Podcast (@TheVOTVPodcast) February 23, 2016
Without recapping the entire segment, the last tweet mentioned encapsulated it pretty well. Shane’s return to the WWE left everyone speechless as Vince announced Undertaker’s WrestleMania opponent in the process.
Dave Meltzer reported last week that the Deadman’s opponent this year wasn’t on the active roster. Well, it appears “the Meltz” was right on the money with his report. Shane and Taker will duke it out in Hell in a Cell.
If Shane wins, he gets control of Monday Night Raw. If Taker wins, Vince gets the “lockbox” that Vince alluded to in their exchange last night.
Even though that was the highlight of the show, Lesnar and Ambrose also had a stellar segment in which Ambrose challenged the Beast Incarnate to a No Holds Barred Street Fight for WrestleMania.
Paul Heyman and Lesnar accepted.
We are under six weeks away from WrestleMania and three matches are already confirmed. To say that the WWE doesn’t book for the future is asinine. Last night proved nearly everyone wrong.
That is said in the most-sincere of ways, especially since a good portion of the WWE Universe was extremely unhappy at the conclusion of WWE Fast Lane. Much like Vince and the WWE Creative team has done before, when fans are ready to throw in the towel, the WWE reels them back in.
What makes this storyline between Shane and Vince real, is that it’s almost like art imitates life. Those who have watched the product for at least five years understand that the best storylines on television are the ones that include real-life situation.
The CM Punk saga and Edge/Matt Hardy are two great examples of that phenomena.
Brad Davis covered this scenario earlier today and here’s the gist of what is actually going on with Shane, Vince and Stephanie:
- This gimmick match “WrestleMania match for control of WWE” was supposed to happen a few years ago.
- The Vince/Shane “deal” was settled weeks back. Shane has no management position inside the WWE.
- Shane’s promo was based on real-life situation, as he felt he was in line to take over after Vince. Instead, Stephanie and HHH were chosen to do that instead. That led to his departure.
Davis also said that Meltzer is claiming there’s something behind Triple H not being involved in the segment last night.
Before any of this took place, WrestleMania was still going to be a great show. Even if the main event isn’t what some wanted, it’s still WrestleMania. Don’t get lost in translation, this match and the Ambrose/Lesnar bout make it much better.
This opens up an infinite amount of possibilities moving forward. John Cena, if healthy, could enter this fray. Undertaker may return early and cut promos and possibly will turn heel with Vince and Stephanie. HHH still has to get involved somehow.
He is the COO after all.
Some may think that Shane O’ Mac may not have saved WrestleMania, but he certainly made it fun.
That’s all that matters.
