Shane McMahon has been teasing a huge announcement for the better part of 48 hours, but did he deliver? The main event of tonight’s (Mar. 13) episode of SmackDown was McMahon holding a microphone in the center of the ring.
The commissioner of the blue brand began his promo recapping his long running feud with Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. At the end of his story, Shane McMahon shocked everyone when he announced he would be taking a leave of absence from SmackDown Live effective immediately.
"After tonight's show, I am taking an indefinite leave of absence as #SDLive's Commissioner." - @shanemcmahon #SDLive pic.twitter.com/iR1IbaRkda
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) March 14, 2018
BREAKING: Effective next week, @ShaneMcMahon will be taking an indefinite leave of absence as #SDLive Commissioner. pic.twitter.com/aVOq95a9wu
— WWE (@WWE) March 14, 2018
Per McMahon, the struggles between himself and the Canadian duo have taken a toll on him. McMahon’s last act as an authority figure was to make a Owens vs. Zayn match for WrestleMania 34.
Before McMahon could finish saying his goodbyes, Owens, then Zayn, confronted him in the ring. The verbal confrontation led right into a vicious attack in the arena that continued to the backstage area.
Shane McMahon’s final night as SmackDown commissioner would end with Kevin Owens power bombing him onto a ladder backstage. McMahon would then get put on stretcher and fitted with a neck brace.
WHAT have @FightOwensFight & @SamiZayn done to #SDLive Commissioner @shanemcmahon? pic.twitter.com/WelHE55W1L
— WWE (@WWE) March 14, 2018
With less than four weeks to go until WrestleMania 34, have we seen the last of Shane McMahon for the foreseeable future on WWE TV?