Shane And Stephanie: More Than A McMahon

It has been more than just an aspiration to be in the squared circle for many of the superstars and legends we’ve seen over the years. For those who carry the names Hart, Guerrero, Orton, Flair, Rhodes or Maivia, to name a few, it’s the family business. With such a name comes a reputation to carry and an expectation to deliver a certain style and character, whilst trying to create a unique in-ring identity. When it comes to naming wrestling families, there’s one that sits way at the top of the hierarchy, boasting a legacy of taking sports entertainment from small regional promotions and turning it into a model that draws in audiences worldwide.

That name is McMahon.

When you think of McMahon, your mind isn’t necessarily filled with in-ring greatness. Instead, this name will forever be synonymous with great business and financial smarts, impeccable storytelling and an ability to continue to reinvent its product (not always for the best). McMahon has balanced where wrestling’s history and origin with fresh, new approaches to continue to capture and engage new and existing fans across the globe.

Taking a step back and looking at the product as a whole at the moment, there’s a sense of transition going on. You can almost feel the winds of change in the air through your TV screens as Vince and the rest of his senior staff come to recognize that the product needs freshening up. It won’t be too long before Vince hangs up his headset and passes the torch to his children to take on the reigns and put their own mark on the business, right?

Let’s set a little context here. I sat down earlier this week, flicking through WWE Network to see what new shows were on. I came across the latest episode of Photoshoot, which was all about Shane McMahon. As I watched the show, I thought of the careers of Shane and his sister Stephanie, and so many great memories came flooding back to me. It occurred to me that they’ve managed to achieve what I referenced earlier on. When you think of Shane and Stephanie McMahon, you’re less drawn to the idea of them being the boss’s son and daughter, and are instead drawn to the idea that they’ve created their own legacy in the business. They’ve broken down what could arguably be described as the toughest of barriers, and become more than just a family name.

It’s no secret that Shane’s WWE career started at a young age, doing what he could behind the scenes to support his father’s production. He did eventually make it into the ring on an episode of Raw in December 1998 vs. Mankind. It was hardly a 5-star performance, but was here that the foundation of Shane’s legacy was laid. Shane has never really been one to sit behind the desk, talk numbers or get caught up the business world of WWE. What we’ve seen with Shane, and still see today, is a wrestler who offers something that I can’t quite liken to anyone else we’ve seen in the ring. He has the speed and agility of a cruiserweight at times, mixed with the striking abilities of an MMA fighter, combined with the resilience and guts of some of the hardcore greats, topped off with the courage to take risks that only a handful of superstars would ever even consider. He has created some of the most iconic moments in history, putting himself through some of the most gruelling matches and segments in WWE. Somehow he survives, and to this day, still looks for new ways to push his body to the absolute limit in order to wow crowds.

In complete contrast, Stephanie’s character is a funny one to look back on. I can’t quite put my finger on where exactly the transition took place, but the lady you see in the business today is the complete polar opposite from the one who burst onto the scene in the late ‘90s. Steph’s role of daddy’s girl was a welcome layer to some of the storylines at the time, but it didn’t take long for her to turn into the rebellious “Billion Dollar Princess,” which eventually led to her becoming influential both on screen and off.

In complete contrast to Shane, Steph will never be remembered for her abilities in the ring, having only graced it 25 times since her debut in 1999. Instead, Stephanie’s legacy is one laced in business acumen and storytelling (much like her father), with the added components of breaking down barriers and pioneering the way for women’s wrestling to take its deserved place in the public eye. In her role as chief brand officer, she has taken her place amongst some of the most influential business leaders in the United States, constantly speaking out for equal opportunities for women in all walks of life.

When you’re born into a world where your father is not only the boss, but also one of the most iconic and important figures in the industry, it’s very easy to be forgotten and blend into the background. Strong feelings to their in-ring personas aside, both Shane and Stephanie McMahon have stepped out of the shadow of their family name and have created (and continue to create) their own opportunities, moments and achievements worth celebrating. They have worked tirelessly to make their own mark on the business and will no doubt one day take their place in the WWE Hall of Fame.

Shane and Stephanie McMahon are more than just members of the McMahon family; they in their own way have influenced WWE and sports-entertainment and have written their own chapter in their family’s legacy.