Vince McMahon appeared on Friday Night SmackDown for a brief address to begin the program.
McMahon’s appearance was promoted throughout the night following the news he was stepping away from his duties as company CEO & chairman while his investigation is ongoing. McMahon is still maintaining his duties overseeing the creative content of the programs during this time.
McMahon came out and mentioned the fans of Minnesota for the babyface reaction and reiterated the words in the WWE’s opening signature “Then. Now. Forever. Together” and emphasized that the last word was the most important.
That was it and McMahon exited the ring for the show proper to begin.