Long Island, NY – WWE Superstar Zack Ryder’s appearance in a match at Wrestlemania has been revealed to be an elaborate episode of the WWE Network original show “Swerved”.

The inclusion of Ryder in the Intercontinental Championship match surprised many longtime fans. While he has been appearing in NXT for the past several months, Ryder has not been included in any major storyline on WWE television in several years.

The extended episode of Swerved begins with Ryder heading to Titan Towers in Stamford, Connecticut to pick up complimentary tickets for his family to attend Wrestlemania at AT&T Stadium in Dallas. Several office members, who were in on the prank, told Ryder to visit other departments to receive his tickets. After hours of trying, Stephanie McMahon finally told Ryder that his tickets had been mailed to his home.

Hilarity continues when Ryder’s first-class plane ticket was bumped down to coach and his plane was re-rerouted to Inez, Kentucky.

“We’re going to have an actor, dressed-up like a local country bumpkin, give Zack a ride to Dallas in the back of a turnip truck,” said a giggling Triple H. “When he finally gets to WWE Axxess, Zack will find out that we’ve given his signing slot to El Torito!”

“We’ve even got Zack’s real-life girlfriend Emma in on the prank,” said a giddy Stephanie McMahon. “Zack will get to his hotel room and find Emma in bed with another man…or should I say mini-man bull!”

“The coup de grace will be at Wrestlemania itself,” said Vince McMahon, barely containing his laughter. “When Ryder is in the gorilla position ready to go out for his Intercontinental championship match, I’m going to tell him he’s been replaced by…that’s right, El Torito! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

There is currently a betting pool in WWE’s office as to whether Ryder will cry, become enraged, or re-sign with the company for another 5 years.