WWE has been criticized by Torch readers for heavily pushing Shane McMahon, who is acknowledged by WWE broadcasters as a non-wrestler, against one of the company's top heels, Randy Orton.

This week, members of the Torch VIP Forum have debated the merits of SuperShane's TV push and whether the general viewing public accepts Shane's seemingly superhero powers as a non-wrestler or if they express the same concerns as Torch readers.

Torch VIP members can join the debate right now in the Wade Keller Zone. Not a VIP member? Check out the benefits of subscribing to a Torch VIP membership today!

Torch VIP member lawknight1 poses the opening question in the Shane McMahon Debate thread: Sure, it's beyond ridiculous that Shane is holding his own against a trio of top full-time wrestlers. But, this is the same Shane McMahon who held his own against Shawn Michaels two years ago on SNME in a match with tables and a ladder. And, Shawn Michaels gamely played along. What Shawn mumbled under his breath, I can only speculate, but I'm guessing he broke a commandment.

What I do wonder is whether Shane just seems ridiculous to those of us here or whether the public at large thinks it's silly. I was thinking that maybe since the general wrestling fan has always been conditioned to see Shane as a superhuman force, that maybe they just accept it at face value. Any thoughts on the public perception of Shane McMahon?

Torch VIP member Eric Fishlegs wrote: I can suspend my disbelief enough to believe that Shane can hold his own against anyone in a one-on-one match. He gets lucky, the heel is a little overconfident, Shane's adrenaline is flowing... I can buy it to a degree. But holding his own against three top heels is just ridiculous. I think the average fan's reaction to Shane depends on how over he is. If the fans are into him, they're probably more willing to buy into him.

Torch VIP member synopsisav wrote: If casual fans, who are the majority of viewers, are people who watch the show, but when it's off the air, don't pay any further attention to it and don't read newsletters, then I wouldn't think they view Shane as any different to any other wrestler.

When I first started watching in 2002, neither Shane or Vince were regular characters at the time, but when they returned as characters, I didn't give either a second thought, because both looked the part as far as size, and I knew they had histories as characters. Plus, I had seen clips of Shane's stunt bumps and they stood out as being impressive. In fact, until I read something where Wade mentioned once how Shane can do a bump, then take six months off, and how it was unfair to other wrestlers, it hadn't even crossed my mind, and I actually had thought Shane was a superior athlete than some of the wrestlers.

I think that unless that is pointed out to casual fans, they probably wouldn't think about it either. It's not like he is Vince who just goes out there and poses, then beats down top stars; Shane actually appears to be able to wrestle. He's not technical, but then again, neither are half the main-eventers.

In fact, if anything, it was harder for me to believe Vince, Hogan, Flair, or Piper were serious wrestlers than Shane simply due to their age. As for Shane, let's put it in perspective; have you ever noticed how loud the crowd pops for a Jeff Hardy or Edge stunt bump today? Now figure they aren't doing half the stuff they used to cram in the TLC matches, but because they only do one or two per match, and they are higher up the card, the bumps stand out and thus mean more, thus the louder pop.

Now fast forward to Shane. If you don't follow newsletters, and you never think about the backstage politics behind his booking, Shane is no older than Triple H, HBK, Michaels, Taker, Batista, Jericho (close in age anyway), or any of the former Main Event Mafia guys in TNA like Angle, Booker T, etc. He is no smaller than Jericho, Edge (shorter, but bulkier), Punk, Mysterio, etc., and in no worse shape (that you can see anyway) than half the roster.

In adition, remembering the stunts he has pulled in years past, since Shane is almost always in main events, they stick out more. Therefore, a casual fan would view Shane as being on par with other main eventers; maybe not the top guy like Taker, Cena, Hunter, or Edge, but along the same lines. Plus his name is McMahon, and they have been booked to be cunning, resourceful, and by being fourth generation, in theory that means he has learned the craft from an early age. So, while we can groan at how it makes other wrestler look when a "middle-aged executive takes part in a weekend hobby," to casual fans - the majority of the WWE audience - he is just like another wrestler. Since main event wrestlers are often booked to look too strong in handicapped matches, I don't see the big deal in the universe (God, I hate that word) that WWE has created.

Torch VIP member lawknight1 checks back in: I don't think Shane should be winning three-on-one beat downs, but, in small doses, I'll take Shane holding his own in a regular match over having Mickey Rourke flatten a main-eventer with one punch any day.

Also, I don't believe in the whole "taking a wrestler's spot" concept. I believe in the "whoever is selling tickets and drawing PPV numbers should be in the spot" concept. It's showbiz. It's not Olympic competition. If Shane draws the dollars, it should be Shane's spot. If Shane doesn't draw ratings, or PPV dollars, get off the TV. This is a business and an entertainment production. Paying dues and following traditions is nice, but this is about the money.

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