Make no mistake the bluff was called. Apple themselves removed the app (of at least one of the impacted few) and then required that the alternate version be posted for sale.
The choice was either have no app available for your customers or have the neutered version up.
FYI, most folks were smart enough to have their own 'no store link' neutered version ready and waiting so that the app approval process delay wouldn't stop customers from downloading and Apple forced their hand.
Having a 'no store link' version ready-to-go isn't calling Apple's bluff. Calling Apple's bluff would have been not submitting a replacement version and directly telling your customers why the app was gone.
The choice was either have no app available for your customers or have the neutered version up.
FYI, most folks were smart enough to have their own 'no store link' neutered version ready and waiting so that the app approval process delay wouldn't stop customers from downloading and Apple forced their hand.