WWE’s Infamous Mystery Angle: The Lockbox That Never Was

One big thing

WWE’s 2016 “lockbox” storyline, involving Shane McMahon and Vince McMahon, was never intended to have a payoff, according to former creative team members.

The details

• Shane McMahon returned to WWE in 2016, challenging The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32.

• The storyline centered around a “lockbox” containing a secret Vince didn’t want revealed.

• If Shane won, he’d gain control of Raw; if Undertaker won, Vince would keep the lockbox.

• The Undertaker won the match, but the contents of the lockbox were never revealed.

Behind the scenes

• According to Fightful Select, multiple creative team members confirmed:
– No specific item was ever determined for the lockbox.
– The lockbox wasn’t originally planned to be part of the storyline.
– Vince McMahon added the lockbox element at the last minute.

Why it matters

This revelation highlights WWE’s sometimes improvisational approach to storytelling, leaving fans hanging without resolution to major plot points. It also underscores the unpredictable nature of Vince McMahon’s creative decisions.

The aftermath

Despite losing the match, Shane McMahon still ended up gaining control of Raw on the episode following WrestleMania, further muddying the waters of the storyline’s logic.

What do you think about WWE’s decision to leave the lockbox mystery unresolved? Share your thoughts in the comments below!