What does 回 do in 这回事?
回
[6] (measure) time (as used to indicate number of occurrence)
[7] (measure) piece (as used for happenings or events)

回 is a measure word for event or occurrence ; 这回事 means &quot;this (piece of) event&quot; or &quot;this (time of) occurrence&quot;
Different between 回 and 件 as measure word is:

回 measure specific course of events (how many times it happens)

件 measure event as an unit (how many of it exists)



就是这一回事 = it is this occurrence
當沒有这回事 = pretend there is no such occurrence

~

就是这一件事 = It is this event
當沒有这件事 = pretend this event doesn't exist

We also say 这回战斗(This battle) or 这回会谈(this discussion) ; but not 这件战斗 or 这件会谈.