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CALDWELL: Why would Shane McMahon leave WWE? Oct 16, 2009 - 10:41:43 AM
Current WWE executive Shane McMahon will be just short of 40-years-old when he officially resigns from WWE on January 1, 2010.
His father, WWE CEO Vince McMahon, was 37-years-old when he purchased then-WWWF from his father. McMahon was just short of 40-years-old himself when he ran the first WrestleMania in March 1985 with his entire future in the wrestling business depending on the success of that event.
Like father, like son, Shane McMahon is going to try his hand at something different. At this point, we don't know what his "outside endeavor" will be. For all we know, he could be signing up to help his mom, Linda McMahon, run for office in Connecticut.
More likely, Shane will stick to the entertainment business. He's an avid MMA fan. He also has ties to the boxing industry after helping negotiate Floyd Mayweather's heavily-publicized boxer vs. wrestler match against Big Show at WrestleMania 24.
Shane has "prodigal son" status if he decides to return to WWE if his venture does not work out. If he doesn't return, his legacy on the executive side will be creativity and innovation.
He helped take one of the worst-looking and slowest-to-load websites in the history of the Internet back in 1997 and turned the website into a sleeker, ahead-of-its-time website. Those of you who lived in AOL chat rooms back in the day know what I'm talking about.
Shane is also credited with the recognizable DX theme music/entrance/vibe that was symbolic of WWE becoming a hip, cool, and happening entertainment entity.
The decade of the 2000s, however, will be remembered for its lack of innovation in pro wrestling. In 2009, WWE is still promoting TV the same way they did in 1999. Sure, they're in High-Definition and they've toned down the product, but the look and the feel is the same as the Attitude Era.
Perhaps Shane McMahon sees an opportunity elsewhere to innovate or bring something new to the entertainment industry. Vince McMahon had the same vision to revolutionize the pro wrestling industry when he was Shane's age. Shane and WWE have been vague on Shane's next venture, but it's apparent there is a better opportunity to contribute innovation elsewhere rather than in WWE.
It could be that Shane is at the point in his life where he wants to see what he can do on his own without the safety net of his father or his sister, Stephanie McMahon. Shane has been the "good family executive," while Stephanie has been viewed as the future heiress of the family business.
Nearing that mid-life crisis point of 40-years-old, it's apparent Shane has a desire to branch out on his own. He said in a statement he never envisioned leaving WWE, but he's a McMahon. He apparently found a new avenue to fulfill his need for creativity and innovation that wasn't being filled in WWE.
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