Real Reason Vince McMahon Is Wrestling At WWE WrestleMania 38

Vince McMahon is wrestling his first WWE match in 12 years because...

by Andy H Murray
Vince McMahon wrestlemania 38
WWE

News that a 76-year-old Vince McMahon will wrestle his first WWE match in 12 years at WrestleMania 38 understandably dominated the news cycle this weekend, with the WWE Chairman and CEO reportedly coming out of retirement to face SmackDown announcer Pat McAfee at the 2/3 April supershow.

This is believed to be part of WWE's plan to drive ticket sales for 'Mania. As noted by Dave Meltzer in the latest Figure Four Online/Wrestling Observer Daily Update, the company still has around 20,000 tickets to shift for each night of WM38, so special attractions like Vince vs. McAfee and 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's expected comeback match with Kevin Owens will be heavily promoted.

We can likely expect WWE to announce both sooner rather than later. McMahon and Austin will be the biggest names on the card once their participation is confirmed, so it's hard to imagine the company passing up the opportunity to use them to spur ticket sales.

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McMahon last wrestled in a poorly-received No Holds Barred match with Bret Hart at WrestleMania XXVI in March 2010. He is due to appear on McAfee's show this Thursday, which could be the start of their 'Mania program.

Austin, meanwhile, has been needled by Owens on the past two weeks' of Raw, with KO insulting 'Stone Cold's' home state of Texas seemingly the basis of their beef.

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.