The release of Netflix’s Mr. McMahon documentary has reignited public fascination with the life and legacy of Vince McMahon, the man who transformed WWE into a global entertainment empire. Chronicling his decades-long career and controversies, the six-part series offers an inside look at one of wrestling’s most polarizing figures.
As the documentary delves into McMahon’s personal and professional battles, it has sparked renewed interest not only in McMahon but also in other iconic figures from the world of professional wrestling. While a lot of the documentary is about the paralel rises of Hulk Hogan and McMahon there’s also a sizeable chunk about McMahon’s realtionship with his kids.
Shane McMahon had left the WWE after butting heads with Vince and was gone for years. During that time WWE superstar Shane McMahon was secretly honing his skills in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for about seven years, preparing for his highly anticipated return to the wrestling ring.
The son of WWE chairman Vince McMahon, Shane has always been known for his daredevil stunts and willingness to put his body on the line for entertainment. However, his dedication to mastering the intricate art of BJJ has taken his physical preparation to a whole new level.
According to renowned BJJ coach John Danaher, McMahon was training intensively at the famed “Blue Basement” in New York City. Danaher, known for coaching UFC champions like Georges St-Pierre, was impressed by McMahon’s athletic prowess and quick learning ability.
“Shane is an outstanding athlete and shocked us with the speed at which he picked up complex moves,” Danaher stated in a social media post. “He’s doing a fine job picking up strangleholds and joint locks!”
But McMahon’s BJJ journey didn’t start with Danaher. In fact, he’s been training for even longer than initially thought. BJJ legend Renzo Gracie revealed that McMahon has been a dedicated student at his academy for over eight years.
“He’s been training with us for a long time,” Gracie said in an interview. “He’s in the best shape of his life. I couldn’t believe the condition he’s in.”
Gracie went on to explain that McMahon’s love for BJJ goes beyond just physical preparation for WWE performances. “The thing is, he loves jiu-jitsu,” Gracie enthused. “He’s been training before even thinking about doing a match like that because he was out for a while.”
“The thing is he loves jiu-jitsu,” Gracie said. “He’s been training for a while. He’s been training before even thinking about doing a match like that because he was out for a while, he was a little chubby and all he did was come every day at six o’ clock in the morning to the gym and roll. Train for like an hour, hour and a half. And now he is cut, extremely good shape and he is even enjoying more jiu-jitsu now, doing guards, doing shoulder locks, omniplatas, triangles, everything.”
The WWE superstar’s newfound skills aren’t limited to ground techniques. He’s also been honing his striking abilities with renowned Muay Thai coach Phil Nurse, who has worked with multiple MMA champions.
Shane McMahon made a dramatic return to WWE on the February 22, 2016, episode of Raw, marking his first appearance in nearly seven years. Interrupting a ceremony where his sister, Stephanie McMahon, received the “Vincent J. McMahon Legacy of Excellence” Award, Shane declared his intention to take control of Raw. This led to a Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania 32 against The Undertaker, with control of Raw on the line. Despite losing, Shane continued to influence Raw for several weeks due to popular demand. His role within WWE evolved over the next few years, as he took part in high-profile feuds, including ones with Kevin Owens and The Miz, while being appointed as SmackDown’s commissioner. Shane’s involvement in major WWE storylines spanned from 2016 to 2024, when his contract with the company ended, following a tumultuous tenure that included injury setbacks, controversial matches, and executive roles.
