A new report has claimed that Vince McMahon was warned that his in-ring return was a “terrible idea” in the months leading up to WrestleMania 38.
At WrestleMania 38, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon shocked the world one more time by returning to the ring to square off against Pat McAfee.
On night two of the event, McAfee was due to face McMahon’s protégé Austin Theory. While the announcer and Theory went toe-to-toe in the ring, McMahon kept a watching brief at ringside. As the match continued, McMahon stayed out of the action seated next to the announce desk, only moving after Theory had been defeated.
With McAfee celebrating in the ring, he exchanged words with McMahon, who then took off his shirt and climbed into the ring. What followed was an impromptu match which McMahon eventually won. However, the match is best remembered for McMahon taking what has been branded the worst Stunner of all-time from Steve Austin as he celebrated after the match.
A new report from Fightful Select has now revealed that McMahon made his decision to wrestle at the event months in advance, with many people close to the Chairman, expressing that it was a “terrible idea.”
There were reportedly plenty of laughs from the backstage and McMahon himself over his performance. McMahon was said to be well-aware that his performance was terrible but took the view that “as long as people were laughing and entertained, it’s okay.”
It was also noted that Vince McMahon laid out the whole segment in advance including Austin Theory’s music hitting after the match. This lead to many laughs backstage when McMahon visibly jumped when the music was played.
The match between McMahon and McAfee was later awarded negative two stars by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.