Why Vince McMahon Changed His Mind About Wrestling Pat McAfee

The real reason the WWE Chairman isn't advertised for WrestleMania 38.

by Andy H Murray
Vince McMahon
WWE

Vince McMahon's plans for his own WrestleMania 38 role have changed considerably over the past few weeks.

Though the 76-year-old WWE Chairman and CEO had been linked to a match with Pat McAfee, McAfee's 'Mania opponent was confirmed as Austin Theory during last week's SmackDown. This is despite several reports suggesting McMahon would be coming out of retirement to help spark ticket sales for the 2/3 April event.

In this week's edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, McMahon changed his mind on advertising him vs. McAfee as the match wouldn't be possible without smoke and mirrors. Previously, the idea was to announce McMahon vs. McAfee as a bout, but lay it out so that Theory would be taking the majority of the bumps. The marketing has now shifted to Pat vs. Austin.

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Meltzer adds that while there has been a big change from the original idea, McMahon will still be the "heat" at 'Mania. WWE will likely run an angle to get Vince involved somehow, perhaps something that will station him at ringside without making it a full-on handicap match.

Vince last competed at WrestleMania XXVI, facing Bret Hart in a maligned No Holds Barred match.

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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.