Six Potential Opponents for Shane McMahon If He Returns to WWE

Shane McMahon has been away from WWE for more than three years, with his last in-ring appearance coming at WrestleMania 39. Since then, speculation about a possible comeback has simmered steadily — and if Shane O’Mac does walk back through the curtain, the question of who he faces will matter enormously.

Here’s a look at six names who could make for a compelling return match.

Je’Von Evans has quickly established himself as one of WWE’s most exciting young daredevils on the main roster. Pairing him with McMahon — a man who built his reputation on reckless, high-risk spots — would put a massive spotlight on Evans that few other matchups could currently offer.

Chad Gable draws frequent comparisons to Kurt Angle, the man Shane had arguably the best match of his career against at WWF King of the Ring 2001. With Gable currently riding a wave of goodwill following his Mask vs. Mask match and redemption arc, the parallels to that classic Angle rivalry would write themselves.

GUNTHER has spent the past year cementing a reputation as ‘The Career Killer,’ picking up wins over Goldberg, AJ Styles, and John Cena in their final matches. An overpowering force like the two-time World Heavyweight Champion standing across the ring from a returning McMahon carries undeniable intrigue.

Seth Rollins has made a habit of elevating any opponent placed in front of him. His track record alongside the likes of Shawn Michaels and AJ Styles suggests he could coax something genuinely memorable out of Shane’s return.

Brock Lesnar famously laid out McMahon with an F-5 at SummerSlam 2016 after attacking Randy Orton, a moment many believed was teasing a future match. That bout never materialized, making it one of the rare Shane McMahon storylines that never got a payoff. A return bout to finally settle that score carries built-in history.

At the top of the list sits CM Punk. Punk’s long-running animosity toward the McMahon family is well documented, and with Shane potentially framing Punk as an enemy of his family name, the personal stakes would already be established. Punk remains one of the most trusted top-tier stars on the roster, and the McMahon family connection gives any Shane return feud instant heat.

Whether any of these matchups actually comes to fruition depends entirely on if — and when — Shane McMahon decides the time is right to step back inside a WWE ring.