We recently learned that this year's WrestleMania will see Vince McMahon step back into the ring to compete for the first time since 2010. Rumours quickly followed that WWE would use "smoke and mirror" tactics to protect the company's 76-year-old chairman in a bout that was supposedly set to see him face off against SmackDown announcer Pat McAfee.
Well, either those reports were based on incorrect information or WWE lied to increase ticket sales because it seems Mr. McMahon won't wrestle after all.
Vince was supposed to set the stage for the match during his recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, but he simply offered the host the chance to compete on The Grandest Stage of Them All. During last night's episode of SmackDown, McAfee got an opponent, but it's McMahon's new protege, Austin Theory. He claimed his boss had set McAfee up and slapped him before walking away.
We wouldn't be surprised if Vince is at ringside for the match or perhaps even the Special Guest Referee, but he's clearly not wrestling now. It's hard to say what this bout will do for Theory, but WWE clearly believes it's a good opportunity to showcase him in the midst of what looks like a noteworthy push.
Check out some highlights from SmackDown below: