Report: Vince McMahon More Hands-On Than Usual At WWE SmackDown Taping

While Vince McMahon is currently facing the gravest threat to his WWE future since the steroid trials in the early 1990s, the 76-year-old certainly did not give that impression backstage at Friday's SmackDown taping in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

McMahon and WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis are currently under investigation by a Special Committee of the WWE Board over misconduct allegations against them. Vince has retained his responsibilities for WWE creative but he has stepped back as WWE CEO and Chairman while he is under investigation. 

Speaking to Fightful Select, one SmackDown talent stated McMahon "wasn't selling" the fact he is under investigation and he was described as "particularly jovial" while backstage at the taping. SmackDown was also said to be more relaxed than usual and McMahon was "happy." 

Furthermore, McMahon was more hands-on than usual at the June 17 taping, with one longtime staff member believing it to be the 76-year-old's way to show he is still running the show. 

McMahon opened SmackDown as his Mr. McMahon character in an odd 40-second segment that one top WWE talent called "tone deaf and embarrassing", while others were confused and enraged by what happened. Another talent speaking to Fightful Select believes Vince opened SmackDown simply to show "that he handles what's in front of him and he's not running."

While Vince is still very much in charge of WWE creative it seems, Stephanie McMahon has returned from her leave of absence to deal with the corporate side of WWE and she was installed as Interim CEO and Chairwoman on June 17.