Former WWE Star Reportedly Asked to Run AEW During Meeting With Tony Khan

Summary

– Jonathan Coachman claims Shane McMahon asked for equity in AEW and to take full control of the company.

– Sources confirm McMahon wanted to run AEW but lacked knowledge of the company’s business operations.

– McMahon and Khan met privately at an Arlington airport, with their interaction sparking widespread speculation.

The story surrounding Shane McMahon’s reported interest in AEW resurfaced following comments made by former WWE broadcaster Jonathan Coachman on his podcast. Coachman claimed that during a meeting last summer, McMahon asked Tony Khan for equity in AEW and proposed taking over the company’s operations. He also stated that Khan never followed up after the conversation, reportedly “ghosting” McMahon.

Following these claims, Fightful Select reported that while the equity request couldn’t be confirmed, sources close to McMahon did verify that he expressed interest in running AEW. However, they noted he did not have the necessary knowledge of AEW’s structure or business to realistically assume such a role.

The report also suggested McMahon did not take Khan’s lack of response personally and speculated that Khan may have believed he was joking about the proposition. The source further indicated that McMahon viewed himself as valuable in wrestling leadership, particularly given the ongoing sentiment among fans and industry figures seeking an alternative to Vince McMahon’s influence.

McMahon and Khan’s meeting occurred in a private room at an Arlington, Texas, airport, leading to a photo of them together surfacing online. McMahon later issued a statement to Bully Ray, describing the meeting as a positive discussion about their shared passion for wrestling and the dynamics of working within a family business. Khan echoed those sentiments, though he did not elaborate on business-related discussions.

The news reignited speculation, with notable names such as Bryan Danielson, Jim Ross, and Mercedes Moné weighing in on the possibility of McMahon in AEW. The Young Bucks also added to the intrigue by sharing a photo of their encounter with McMahon at the airport, fueling further discussion about the potential implications of his interest in AEW.