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Shane McMahon appeared for an interview on the 3/22 edition of ESPN Sportscenter as part of the cable network's continuing WWE relationship to help promote Wrestlemania 33.
Filmed on location at WWE's Smackdown Live taping in Uncasville, CT, Jonathan Coachman introduced a video reel on The Undertaker's Wrestlemania history before bringing in Shane McMahon, noting that he faced Undertaker last year in Texas as Wrestlemania 32. Coachman noted that a year ago, McMahon told him that he returned to WWE so his sons could see him perform. He then sent it to a tape of them talking 'earlier' in the day.
Coachman asked Shane how the last year has been for him. McMahon said it's been a thrill ride and a lot of fun. Coachman asked him what it was like for his sons to see him wrestle last year. Shane said it was an unbelievable honor for his kids to walk to the ring with him. He said when he called them out, his heart was beating in his chest so hard. He said they didn't rehearse anything for the entrance and they just took to it like a fish to water. Coachman said that he thought it was incredible. Shane then took on The Undertaker.
Coachman said you could feel something big was coming and that was Shane going off the top of the Cell. Shane said that when you are up there, it's much higher than it looks from below. He said that it becomes "whisper quiet" because you have to concentrate on hitting your mark and you line up and get ready and work everything out and "You just go, you fly and you feel great." He said that it's not the flight but the sudden stop that gets you. McMahon said he felt "crushed" the next day. McMahon said the entire match was pretty impressive. He said obviously Undertaker is a little snug in the ring. He said that he cracked a few ribs and was sore for a good six weeks.
Coachman said that Shane would be facing AJ Styles at Wrestlemania 33 and asked him what the training is like in comparison to preparing for Undertaker last year. McMahon said the training is similar. Shane said he hasn't been in the ring with Styles but he's one of the most phenomenal performers to ever grace a WWE ring. Undertaker is must larger but Styles is faster and sneaky and unbelievably quick. Shane said he's been working on cardio and he needs to keep up with Styles' pace. He said if not, he will be tired out. McMahon said he has to keep up with his speed.
Shane was asked why he has stayed on with the company. "It's infectious," said McMahon. He said WWE hooks you and that it's his family's business. He said his sons love that he's back involved and he has a great time doing it. He said getting the adulation of the audience is great and you get to put smiles on people's faces.
Coachman said they worked together in WWE for a decade and he saw a lot of the big things Shane did firsthand. He asked Shane where the Hell in A Cell match stands in comparison to the rest. Shane said that has to be at the top of the list for a lot of reasons - the match, the build to it, his sons being there and it being part of his return to the company after seven years. He said his sons had never seen him live and to have a chance to be a real life superhero for his kids to see is something he can't even articulate. He said all of that encapsulated is one of his favorite moments.
Coachman asked him how Shane enjoys his current role at the Smackdown Live Commissioner. He said that it's great because he gets to give back and work with so many younger talents and riff ideas with them and put that energy into the show. He said that everyone is trying to help and elevate the other.
Shane was asked what Wrestlemania has to do to outdo last year. Shane said personally, it's a different type of match and a completely story because AJ Styles is a technician. He has several coaches that teach him different styles and training. He's been working to make sure he has the gas to keep going.
Coachman asked Shane what was next. He said that as long as the fans want him and he's able to contribute and give back to talents and moving the ball forward, he will be around.
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