Evidently, it was indeed a rib/joke being played on Zack. The rib went so far as there was even a fake script and timeline alloted for Zack to come out and wrestle, besides Superstars, with his RAW promo and on air face turn. When the time came close for this to happen, Zack was informed plans changed and he would not be on air. This was literally during the broadcast. The entire rib was Vince's idea
LMAO...what a dick move, vince has a pretty mean sense of humor (thinking of katey vick/jim ross's colon skit.)
but Man, that's kinda funny if you think about it...teehee.