[5] Since 2023, the Shaw Classic's invitational event has been branded as Strongest Man on Earth, formerly used by the Fortissimus strongman competition held in 2008 and 2009.

With many major events for the year canceled or modified, Shaw invited ten athletes to compete in a closed competition in his private gym in Colorado.

In 2023, the show's invitational was branded "Strongest Man On Earth," a title used earlier by the Fortissimus contests.

Mitchell Hooper won in 2024 after placing second to Shaw the prior year.

Shaw announced a new formal qualification system for 2025: The previous year's top-5 finishers at Strongest Man on Earth, World's Strongest Man, Arnold Strongman Classic, and Rogue Invitational podium finishers, the winner of North America's Strongest Man, and winner of the Shaw Classic Men's Open would all receive automatic invites, with at-large invitations extended to bring the field to a complete sixteen competitors across eight events.