Stone Cold Steve Austin retired from in-ring competition following WrestleMania 19 in 2003, and many (including the legend himself) believed he would be one of the very few wrestlers not to return to the squared circle after retirement.
However, ahead of WrestleMania 38 in Dallas, the Texas Rattlesnake was announced to take part in a special edition of the Kevin Owens Show, and it was heavily speculated that the appearance could turn into a full-fledged match.
Sure enough, Austin confronted Owens and agreed to a match, defeating KO in a No Holds Barred Match. The next night, after Vince McMahon returned to competition against Pat McAfee, Austin confronted his decades-old rivalry with the WWE Chairman and delivered what it considered one of the worst stunners in company history.
With WrestleMania 39 on the horizon in Los Angeles, CA, Austin has been photographed looking in phenomenal shape, leading many fans to wonder if his match against Owens wouldn’t be the last time he stepped inside the squared circle.
Numerous Potential Opponents Were Rumored For Steve Austin At WrestleMania 39
As speculation continued to ramp up ahead of the 2023 Royal Rumble, reports emerged that WWE had presented pitches for Steve Austin to face both Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, with more money reportedly offered for the Reigns match.
Despite emerging reports that Austin had turned down wrestling at WrestleMania 39, a new rumor emerged online last week that he could be set for a surprising clash with SmackDown’s LA Knight. The rumor credited Dave Meltzer of the Wresting Observer as its source, but according to Meltzer himself, the rumored clash is a work of complete fiction.
“Totally made up story. Never said it.”
Totally made up story. Never said it. https://t.co/vsLhrjo3ad
— . (@davemeltzerWON) March 10, 2023
While it’s unlikely we’ll see Austin inside the squared circle again any time soon, multiple bouts have been confirmed for WrestleMania. Roman Reigns is set to take on men’s Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes, while Rhea Ripley has challenged Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship after winning the women’s Royal Rumble. Lita, Becky Lynch, and Trish Stratus are planned to take on all three members of Damage CTRL, and to the surprise of many, Brock Lesnar will face Omos on the Grandest Stage of Them All.