A lot of WWE fans were taken aback by the decision to have Shane McMahon win the first-ever WWE World Cup tournament. Despite not having competed in any prequalifying or bracket matches, Shane competed in the finals of the tournament against Dolph Ziggler at Crown Jewel.
Initially, the finals were set up to be The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler. However, before the match begun, Miz attempted to ambush Ziggler before the bell rang. During the scuffle, Miz seemed to injure his leg and was deemed physically unable to compete. Many believed the injury was legitimate given how well Miz was selling it.
However, SmackDown Live Commissioner Shane McMahon then inserted himself into the match in Miz’s place. He would defeat Ziggler in the finals to win the World Cup, and the moniker of “Best In The World.” Per a report from Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio, this was always the plan from WWE creative, and Miz did not suffer an injury.
McMahon’s winning of the World Cup was in order to help progress his heel turn, which has been teased as of late on WWE TV. This heel turn could play a major role in the upcoming Raw vs. SmackDown storyline heading into Survivor Series.
