Shane McMahon's WWE career has been littered with many memorable moments, and these photos paint a perfect picture of Shane's history with WWE throughout the years.It seemed that Shane McMahon was primed to take over from his father Vince McMahon as the owner of WWE. However, his sister Stephanie McMahon and her husband Triple H are likely to take over from the evil genius. Nevertheless, Shane O'Mac is one of the most popular members of the McMahon family. Shane has done his best work as a heel, but he has also had some great moments as a babyface.Shane has never been a full-time in-ring competitor, but when he steps foot inside the squared circle, he's extremely competitive. Moreover, Shane has a reputation for taking death-defying bumps, and he has been a leader of some of the greatest factions in WWE history. Shane O'Mac is photogenic, and some of the photos that the cameras have shot of Shane over the years encapsulate his career.
12 Early Days As A Referee
Shane McMahon's early days on WWE programming were as a referee, and not as an authority figure. Shane O'Mac earned his stripes and worked his way up. Of course, Shane was never going to be a referee forever, but it gave him a good taste of what professional wrestling was all about.
Shane undertook the name Shane Stevens in 1988. He featured in Royal Rumble matches on the outside, guiding wrestlers back to the locker room. Nevertheless, this stint proved to be handy for Shane as he went on to become a special guest referee from time to time.
11 Commentator
In the summer of 1998, WWE added Heat to their programming. Shane McMahon tried his hands at commentating. Shane commentated alongside the likes of Jim Ross, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Jim Cornette, and Kevin Kelly on the Sunday night show.
Shane was passionate about commentating, and he was over the top rope with his mannerisms. Shane was a part of the first 13 episodes of Heat on commentary duties, but when he became a member of the Corporation alongside his father, his appearances were sporadic.
10 European Champion
The Corporation had a successful night on the February 15, 1999 edition of Raw. The Rock captured his third WWE Championship at Mankind's expense in a ladder match. However, Shane McMahon got the ball rolling as he captured the European Championship. Shane teamed up with Kane, and they defeated reigning European Champion X-Pac and Triple H in a tag team match.
Shane thrived in his role as European Champion. His title reign wasn't great, but he made his in-ring WrestleMania debut against X-Pac at WrestleMania 15. It ended up being one of the best matches of the night with Shane retaining. The European Championship shortly became an afterthought with Shane quietly retiring the title.
9 The Corporate Ministry
Shane McMahon became the undisputed leader of the Corporation after WrestleMania 15, and he booted out the likes of his father and the Stooges who were surplus to requirements. However, Shane didn't stop there, and on the pilot episode of SmackDown, Shane merged the Corporation with The Undertaker's Ministry of Darkness.
The bloated faction became known as the Corporate Ministry. Steve Austin and The Rock were their main rivals. Moreover, Shane was power-hungry, and he screwed the Texas Rattlesnake out of the WWE Championship. Shane did a fantastic job as one of the founding fathers of the Corporate Ministry.
8 Bumps
2000 was another strong year for Shane McMahon. The heir apparent added more gold to his collection, and he beat Steve Blackman for the Hardcore Championship on the go-home episode of Raw before SummerSlam.
Shane has a reputation for taking death-defying bumps, and one of his best bumps came during his Hardcore Title defense at SummerSlam. The Boy Wonder attempted to flee from the Lethal Weapon, but Blackman struck Shane in the back of the head with a kendo stick causing Shane to fall. Blackman regained the Hardcore Championship, but props have to be given to Shane for taking such a scary bump.
7 Rivalry With His Father
Shane McMahon turned face in 2001, and he was unveiled as the owner of WCW. Shane O'Mac entered a feud with his father Mr. McMahon, and they collided in a Street Fight at WrestleMania 17.
It was Shane's second WrestleMania in-ring appearance, and Mr. McMahon's first. They knocked it out of the park in an entertaining Street Fight. Shane defended his mother Linda, who was being mistreated by Vince. Nevertheless, Shane prevailed, and it was the beginning of a feud that lasted for the remainder of the year.
6 The Alliance Is Born
The face turn of Shane McMahon's didn't last long, and he turned heel once again in the summer of 2001. Shane and Kurt Angle engaged in an exceptional rivalry with Angle besting McMahon in a Street Fight that lasted 26 minutes at King of the Ring.
Shane's Alliance grew strength in numbers on the July 9, 2001, edition of Raw. He sided with Paul Heyman and his sister Stephanie McMahon was unveiled as the new owner of ECW. Shane and Stephanie feuded with their father until Survivor Series. Moreover, the Alliance recruited Steve Austin, who was the reigning WWE Champion and a massive asset to the Alliance.
5 Feud With Kane
After the Invasion angle ended, Shane McMahon was absent from WWE programming for almost two years. Shane O'Mac returned in the summer of 2003, and he kickstarted a feud with Kane, who infamously Tombstoned his mother Linda on the steel ramp.
Shane and Kane's feud was physical, and there were several odd moments. The Big Red Machine was unmasked, and he was on a rampage. Kane overpowered and defeated Shane in a Last Man Standing match at Unforgiven, and he followed it up with another win in an Ambulance match at Survivor Series to bring their feud to a halt.
4 Final Storylines
Before Shane McMahon's shocking departure from WWE in January 2010 to focus on other business ventures, Shane defended his family in early 2009. McMahon clashed with Randy Orton and his Legacy faction as the Viper was on a rampage. Orton punted Vince, and he kissed Shane's sister Stephanie with Triple H helpless.
Shane and Orton battled in a brilliant No Holds Barred match at No Way Out. Shane gave it his all but Orton prevailing was the right call. Ultimately, Shane was written out of storylines with Legacy assaulting him.
3 Epic Return
Almost seven years later, "Here Comes the Money" reverberated around the arena on the February 22, 2016, edition of Raw. Shane McMahon returned to WWE, and he interrupted his father Mr. McMahon's segment with his sister Stephanie. Shane received a huge pop, and it was great to see Shane back with WWE.
Shane's return was brilliant, and he competed in a Hell in a Cell match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32. He came up short, but he did leap off the Cell and crashed through the announce table below. The brand split was reintroduced, and Shane became the Commissioner of SmackDown. 2016 was one of the best years in the history of SmackDown with Shane at the helm.
2 Best In The World
Crown Jewel 2018 was one of the worst pay-per-view events in WWE history. A World Cup was held, and the winner would be dubbed as the "Best in the World." Shane McMahon was a late entry in the tournament, and he wasn't even dressed suitably to compete.
Nevertheless, Shane defeated Dolph Ziggler to become the "Best in the World." Shane O'Mac became increasingly annoying, and he turned heel once again. He faced off with The Miz at WrestleMania 35, and Shane beat Roman Reigns at Super ShowDown 2019.
1 Departure
Shane McMahon returned to the 2022 men's Royal Rumble match after he lost to Braun Strowman in a steel cage match at WrestleMania 37. This was the first time that Shane had competed in a Royal Rumble match. McMahon was the 28th entrant, and he navigated his way to the final three.
Since Shane had a lot of power in WWE, he booked himself strongly in the Rumble. It didn't sit well with some of his frustrated peers. Shortly thereafter, McMahon was relieved from his duties in WWE, and it remains to be seen when Shane will return.