In late 2021 Vince McMahon returned to WWE television has part of a storyline despite previously pledging to remain behind the scenes. The return saw him become something of a mentor to Austin Theory via a search for Cleopatra’s Egg which had been given to him by Dwayne Johnson.
The story ran all of the way until WrestleMania 38 where Theory wrestled on behalf of McMahon, taking on Pat McAfee. After McAfee earned the win, McMahon stepped into the ring against the announcer himself and grabbed the win. This led to Stone Cold Steve Austin coming to the ring to get involved in the action, delivering Stunners to all involved.
Working With Vince McMahon Was “Make Or Break” – Austin Theory
Speaking in a new interview with City News, Austin Theory recalled the chaos at WrestleMania.
“Having a great match with Pat McAfee and then after that, having Mr. McMahon and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin standing in the ring together, and then later, me getting stunned into the skies of Dallas, was pretty amazing,” Theory said. “You are just flying through the skies man you are literally up in the air flying. It’s one of those things, you think about ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin and me being one of those guys selling the stunner, I had to put my own stamp on it and being able to share the ring with ‘Stone Cold’ is definitely a memorable moment.”
The new United States Champion then went on to discuss the pressure of working with McMahon in 2021, after the then-Chairman had said he wouldn’t be returning to television.
“I was 24 at the time, and finding out that you are working with Mr. McMahon, and he said he was never coming back on TV, but he came back to work with me, and I knew I had to stand up and perform,” Theory said. “It was a make or break moment for me.”
Vince McMahon announced his retirement from his role as WWE Chairman on July 22nd 2022. His departure came as a shock not only to those working for the company, but fans around the world. Despite the allegations surrounding him many believed that McMahon would continue to weather the storm and remain in control.
The allegations in question centred around claims that McMahon had paid millions of dollars in “hush money” to multiple women following a string of extra-marital affairs. There were also claims that the former WWE boss coerced one woman into giving him oral sex, before not renewing her contract after she “resisted further sexual encounters.” This was followed by the discovery of undeclared business expenses in WWE’s accounts, which led them to republish a number of financial reports.