Vlad's still around. It will take more than a stake through the heart to get rid of him.
What has more than likely happened is that he copped an unexpected faceful from a martial arts opponent, and he's looking pretty bruised and battered.
Either that, or he stumbled and fell down a flight of stairs, and ended up looking like he copped a flying foot in the face.
Regardless of what happened, Vlad is no doubt looking the worse for wear, and probably will be for about 10 days - and there is no way he is going to appear in public, looking battered and showing weakness.
We're talking here, about the greatest macho guy on the face of the Earth, who leads the greatest macho society in the world - and who is also the worlds biggest image manipulator as a leader (and there's more than a few of them).
Anything that appears that he's less than totally invincible, will be carefully removed from public view - worldwide - for as long as it takes.