Powell's Blog Powell's Blog: Shane McMahon announces his resignation from WWE Oct 16, 2009 - 12:50 PM Email This Article | Printer Friendly Page Send Us News & Results | Back to Main Listing Friday, October 16 – 12:50 P.M. (CT) -The announcement of Shane McMahon's decision to leave World Wrestling Entertainment was a big surprise to fans as well as most people within the company. As noted previously, all indications are that this is a legitimate move and not part of a storyline, as the company made the announcement on their corporate website. It's worth noting that WWE had USA Network issue a press release when Donald Trump purchased Raw from Vince McMahon, but that news was never published on the corporate website for obvious reasons. I've yet to hear from anyone who knows the story on why Shane has decided to leave the company. Vince has been tough on Shane over the years and it's possible that played a part in his decision to walk away. It's also possible that he simply wants to pursue other interests. Shane is obviously set for life financially and he's never done anything outside the company. A new challenge might excite him. Shane is a huge fan of UFC and mixed martial arts. He's known for hanging out with various fighters when they are in the New York area. He urged his father to get involved with mixed martial arts to no avail a few years ago, so I guess we can't rule out some type of career in an existing MMA group or even Shane launching his own company. All that noted, my guess remains that Shane is going to be involved in Linda McMahon's U.S. Senate campaign in some capacity. "Unless he's going to fund a vanity venture, all signs point to him helping his mother (with the campaign)," said one former WWE employee. "She needs some backup." I don't know if there's any legal reason that Shane would be forced to resign from WWE to do this, but my assumption is that it's because they're a publicly traded company and they don't want to risk upsetting shareholders by showing any signs of being partisan or if Shane is spending more time campaigning than on the job for WWE. Even if the McMahons don't believe in their hearts that Linda is going to win the nomination, it's not like they lose out on anything by having her and Shane step aside temporarily to hit the campaign trail. Obviously, their jobs will be waiting for them when the campaign concludes. Rich Twilling and I will have much more to say on this story in today's Dot Net Weekly Audio show along with exclusive items on the futures of Undertaker and Shawn Michaels in WWE, and TNA Bound For Glory talk. You can gain instant access to all Dot Net Audio, the first look at news, and the ad-free version of the site for five bucks per month (skip that Subway sandwich for one day) by visiting the Dot Net Members' Signup Page. HELP SUPPORT DOT NET! BECOME A MEMBER AT OUR CHARTER RATE OF JUST $5 A MONTH - GET THE FIRST LOOK AT EXCLUSIVE INSIDER DOT NET NEWS, TONS OF EXCLUSIVE AUDIO SHOWS, MESSAGE BOARD ACCESS, START YOUR OWN BLOG, AD-FREE MAIN LISTING: SIGN ME UP (or MORE INFO) GOT AN IPHONE OR IPOD TOUCH? THEN BE SURE TO DOWNLOAD OUR NEW FREE iPhone APP: (click here!) (or SEARCH "pro wrestling" in iTunes App Store) FOR MORE BREAKING WWE & TNA NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE PWTORCH.COM (click here!) FOR MORE MMA & UFC NEWS AND COMMENTARY, VISIT OUR AFFILIATE MMATORCH.COM (click here!) CLICK TO RETURN TO DOT NET MAIN LISTING OR SELECT A LINK BELOW FROM THIS CATEGORY Powell's Blog Latest Twelve Articles Powell's Blog: UFC going head-to-head with WWE Raw in January should put a rumor to rest, consistency is the key for TNA going forward, an important edition of WWE Raw tonight Powell's Blog: One key area where TNA dropped the ball during Thursday's Impact Powell's Blog: Shane McMahon announces his resignation from WWE POWELL'S BLOG: WWE Raw advertising is weak, TNA house show advertising is even worse Powell's Blog: More thoughts on the C.M. Punk vs. Undertaker finish, big Smackdown angles ignored on Raw, Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, WWE advertising Raw competition Powell's Blog: Jeff Hardy still showing up in WWE advertising, big Dot Net Weekly audio show, Eric Young's push is doing more harm than good, WWE marijuana policy, NFL kickoff