Shane McMahon and Tony Khan were spotted in a photo that sent shockwaves through the pro wrestling world.
Vince McMahon’s son and AEW president were seen in a picture, obtained by WrestleTalk, having a private meeting, reportedly in an Arlington, Texas office on Monday, with AEW and Ring of Honor running shows out of the city’s Esports Stadium over the past few weeks.
The two were discussing “possibilities moving forward”, according to Fightful, with Shane McMahon reportedly not currently under contract with WWE.
Rumors of Shane McMahon having an interest in working with AEW began in June with famed wrestling podcast host and Ric Flair’s son-in-law Conrad Thompson saying on the “Grilling JR” show that McMahon had “reached out to wrestlers on the AEW roster to at least hypothetically discuss the idea” of working with the company.
Khan, when first asked about the Shane McMahon rumors in June, said he had never met with him and eventually left the door open to talk with him.
During a recent interview on the “Maggie & Perloff” show, Khan said McMahon was “welcome to stop by at any time” and told Sports Illustrated that McMahon was “always welcome in AEW.”
Shane McMahon hasn’t appeared on WWE television since he tore his quad during an interaction with The Miz two years ago at WrestleMania 39.
The McMahons are no longer in control of WWE – outside of Shane’s brother-in-law Triple H being its chief content officer in charge of creative – after selling the company to Endeavor in April 2023 for $9.3 billion.
Vince McMahon resigned as executive chairman of WWE’s parent company TKO in January 2023 after former employee Janel Grant filed a federal sexual assault and sex trafficking lawsuit against him.
Stephanie McMahon stepped down as CEO in January 2023 with the previously “retired” Vince McMahon forcing his way back on the board of directors to pursue the sale.
TBS champion Mercedes Mone seeming took credit for taking the photo Khan and McMahon by posting “I took that pic” with the money-tounge and eyes emoji to X.
AEW certainly has plenty of big shows to debut Shane McMahon on this summer if the two sides do decide to work together, none bigger than All In at Wembley Stadium in London on Aug. 25.