The Fight Network

Those within and out of the pro wrestling community have now had a full week to digest, fathom and eventually speculate the huge news story involving Shane McMahon handing in his resignation to the WWE as EVP of Global Media.

The news caught everyone off guard from the purveyors of wrestling gossip online right on up the WWE food chain to the executive branch of the company.

There is little in the way of news because Shane McMahon is not talking. Until January 1^st 2010 it looks as though speculation and gossip will be the sole source of Shane McMahon discussion as he allows his days to wind down one by one.

There are a number of options for Shane McMahon and here are the ones people are most curious about.

MMA

Most people are speculating that this is the direction we will see Shane head towards.

First you have the worldwide industry leader, the UFC. The obvious reaction is ‘why would the UFC want Shane McMahon?' The UFC has never been shy about their business model and patterning it off of the WWE template. The UFC right now is primarily driven on two revenue streams - pay per view and live events. The WWE has been able to stay profitable for the past decade during strong times and bad through their model of diversification and creating multiple pillars for financial intake. A key to this success while business was down in the U.S was creating a strong international network where the product thrived to fans that had never seen the WWE product. The UFC has worked vigilantly to spread their wings into the international markets and having an ally in Shane McMahon, who has done business with an international array of television executives is a huge benefit for the foreseeable future within the UFC. McMahon also brings hands on experience from the WWE model and would be a key component in expanding the UFC's online initiatives, merchandise expansion and further enhance licensing of the UFC brand far beyond their current scope.

Would Shane be willing to come into the UFC as an executive without a stake in the company? My gut tells me yes.

This is the first assumption many associated with Shane's decision to leave the company but it is also the most volatile option for Shane when it comes to relations with his immediate family, who would take this decision to work for the UFC as a direct slap in the face.

Shane McMahon is well liked by the UFC brass and has attended shows in the past. Back when the Fertitta's were looking to sell in 2004 it was Shane McMahon who took a huge interest and saw potential in the UFC.

Don't forget that the Zuffa umbrella also houses the smaller WEC promotion where Shane could easily come in and have a much bigger role alongside Reed Harris. If the goal of this branching out is to create a name and legacy for Shane himself, than walking into an environment that pales in comparison to the one he is leaving shouldn't be a barrier but rather an inevitable challenge.

The Strikeforce promotion is an interesting option as well. Until the CBS numbers come in for the November 7^th show than the value of Strikeforce is unknown. If the show tanks and CBS drops the programming it will be a huge blow to a promotion that is attempting to expand and will be compacted by their only television exposure coming in the form of Showtime.

McMahon has the money to become a bigger player in the Strikeforce picture whereas he is not even in the league of the Fertitta family when it comes to personal wealth. McMahon's experience on the international front is a huge asset to Strikeforce if the goal for Scott Coker is a worldwide brand - a huge step to be taking for a promotion that only one year ago was a regional outfit out of San Jose.

When it comes to the MMA universe, Strikeforce is a far and away number two competitor to the UFC and will require a lot of money, time and dedication from Shane if his goal is to take this promotion and make it a viable competitor to a promotion that has stormed off all forms of competition since 2006.

WRESTLING

Is Shane's heart really in pro wrestling? Very questionable in 2009.

Buying TNA simply isn't going to be happening. A lot of people tend to associate the wealth of the WWE being on par with the wealth of the McMahon family. The fact is Bob and Dixie Carter are more than financially set and McMahon would not have the funds needed on his own to purchase TNA.

There is without question a giant hole in the appetites for pro wrestling fans in 2009 that are dying for a product that isn't WWE or TNA. The reality is the talent is not available for a third national promotion nor would securing a major TV deal be an easy task for a pro wrestling show, even with the name McMahon attached to it.

Ring of Honor? Not a chance.

LINDA McMAHON'S SENATE RUN

It seems like the most natural connection to make sense out of this decision but if that was the case than why such an ‘out of left field' approach by Shane?

If it was simply a case of Shane going to work for Linda, than it would have been well known within the company and it would have been handled much more smoothly on the website rather than sending the entire company into a panic mode over Vince's son leaving the company. It would not surprise me at all to see Shane work on the campaign but could not see him returning to the company a year from now without something else he is keeping close to his chest.

OUTSIDE BUSINESS OPTIONS

It could be Shane's decision to branch out of the worlds of pro wrestling and MMA and try and make a name for himself in an industry where his name doesn't come with a track record behind it.

From everyone that has worked with Shane - he is incredibly tech savvy, constantly looking at what will be making an impact tomorrow and a general attitude of embracement.

This is the wild card option and could be the most logical when you think about things.

This is a pivotal point in the career of Shane McMahon and one that will ultimately succeed or fail with his reputation being written as a result.

Until McMahon sheds light on his next project, the speculation will continue and invariably the expectations will grow by the week and with expectations comes an enormous amount of pressure for the 4^th generation McMahon to fill his legacy's namesake.