Predicting Future of WWE Raw and SmackDown’s Authority Figures

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Shane McMahon – SmackDown Commissioner

Shane McMahon has stayed quiet for most of his run as SmackDown Commissioner. He hasn’t interjected himself too much in storylines, mostly lingering in the background with Daniel Bryan. They’ve held SmackDown steady, as the babyface authority figures, something that has been refreshing for a WWE product that has had heels leading the way since the Attitude Era.

When the Prodigal Son returned to WWE in February 2016, it came as a surprise. Maybe more shocking is him remaining with the company since then, appearing at least twice per month. He even competed in a second match at Survivor Series. Could this extended run be coming to an end, however? Potential spoilers about the match card may be seen below for WrestleMania 33.

The Wrestling Observer’s rumored card for the Show of Shows has McMahon competing again. However, it’s going to come against AJ Styles. We’ve seen the former WWE champion make subtle complaints about management for the past few weeks, with nothing turning into anything more. If Styles becomes infuriated with Shane, could we eventually see him look for a change in commissioner?

To make Styles vs. McMahon interesting at WrestleMania 33, there needs to be some kind of stipulation there. They’re not just going to fight for the Phenomenal One to vent his frustrations with his fists. Maybe it’s booked that the former Hardcore champion has to put his commissioner job on the line? It could be a way of getting him off of TV, if that’s the plan. There’s been nothing to indicate that WWE is going to take off programming, though.

If this Styles vs. McMahon feud develops, something is going to be needed for this to make it interesting. Bray Wyatt vs. Randy Orton, Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho, Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg, Roman Reigns vs. Undertaker, and other rumored matches all have a lengthy storyline background to it that sells what the Superstars are competing for. Seven weeks out, Styles vs. McMahon doesn’t. If they’re going to have a standard singles match with nothing tied to it, no one will care. If there’s some stakes, then we may have something going here. That could mean Shane’s job is put on the line.