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, Steve Austin Austin confronted Owens and agreed to a match, defeating KO in a No Holds Barred Match.
With WrestleMania 39 on the horizon in Los Angeles, CA, Austin has been photographed looking in phenomenal shape, leading many fans to wonder whether his return from retirement wasn’t a one time event.
Eric Bischoff Wants To See Steve Austin Face Roman Reigns At WrestleMania 39
A recent report from Fightful Select revealed that there was a big money pitch for Austin to face none other than Roman Reigns at the upcoming LA extravaganza, and that there had also been a pitch to face another big star, though the star was not named.
Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that those within WWE had actually pitched a bout between Austin and Brock Lesnar, not Roman Reigns. However, former executive Eric Bischoff seems keen for the bout between Reigns and Lesnar to take place.
Taking to social media, Bischoff responded to news of the Fightful Select report, stating:
“Oh man! A big part of me would love to see this! And how they build towards it if it’s true. We should know soon.”
Oh man! A big part of me would love to see this! And how they build towards it if it’s true. We should know soon. https://t.co/BEtRtYmx2D
— Eric Bischoff (@EBischoff) January 23, 2023
The January 23rd edition of WWE Raw didn’t give much aid in providing clues about Reigns’ WrestleMania future as the Tribal Chief was largely involved in the Trial of Sami Zayn. It was announced on that show that on the upcoming episode of SmackDown, Reigns will provide Zayn with one final test to prove his loyalty to The Bloodline.
After months of heavy speculation, the rumored bout between Reigns and fellow Anoa’i family member Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson seems unlikely, and Reigns’ WrestleMania plans are far from certain. However, before heading to Los Angeles, Reigns is set to contend with Kevin Owens at the upcoming Royal Rumble in San Antonio, TX.