Vince McMahon returns to the ring at WWE WrestleMania 38, Steve Austin appears

Vince McMahon wrestled for the first time in 12 years at WrestleMania 38.

McMahon defeated Pat McAfee in an impromptu match on Sunday’s show. McAfee had just defeated Austin Theory when he challenged the 76-year-old to a match as well. McMahon accepted and a referee joined them in the ring. 

Theory attacked McAfee from behind before the bell. With his opponent already weakened, McMahon gave him a few clotheslines and punted a football into his ribs before pinning him. 

McMahon and Theory were celebrating in the ring when “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s music hit. Austin delivered a stunner to Theory before turning his attention to Vince. The two toasted beers together but Austin would eventually give McMahon a stunner too. 

Austin then invited McAfee to join him in the ring. The two of them toasted beers together as Austin’s music played. Finally, Austin gave McAfee a stunner as well before the segment came to a close. 

This was Vince McMahon’s first match since being defeated by Bret Hart at WrestleMania 26.

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Ian Carey
Ian Carey

Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has appeared in award-winning publications such as NOW Magazine and The Huffington Post. He joined the F4WOnline team in 2019 and was named managing editor in the summer of 2026. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Ian has covered professional wrestling for more than 15 years.