At WrestleMania 38, WWE fans got a surprise when "Stone Cold" Steve Austin returned for a match against Kevin Owens, his first since 2003. It was more than a give in to nostalgia and a big payday, as Austin held his own, taking several bumps, and creating a match that won't soon be forgotten. There were rumors of Austin returning to the ring again this year for WrestleMania 39, possibly against Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar, but the man who ruled the Attitude Era has put ideas of another wrestling comeback to rest.
In an interview with NBC Los Angeles, Austin said, "You have to understand that I retired in 2003, so it’s been a long time, so I’m over it. But when I walked away from the business of sports entertainment, I endeavored into other things; I work with Kawasaki motor sports on the side by side division, I’m in the beer business, and I do other things. Coming back to do something from time to time is fine, because I love my relationship with WWE, but my days in the ring are done… although, I did do the main event at WrestleMania last year in Dallas, but that was kind of a fluke and we pulled it off. It’s good to be back and see some of the faces… But I’ve been gone for a long time, and I do not miss it." (h/t WrestlingNews.co)
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Should Steve Austin Ever Wrestle Again?
When Austin's career ended at WrestleMania 19 in 2003 with a match against The Rock, fans were left wondering about what could have been. It seemed as if Austin had to retire just a few years too early. There was talk of a comeback almost every year (CM Punk was a popular dream opponent). When it finally happened last year, it went perfectly. A more fitting goodbye couldn't have been written. While it's tempting to try to repeat last year's success again, it's also risky. Austin might look as fit as ever, but at 58-years-old, more matches risk giving us a Stone Cold who shows his age and is a step off his game. No one wants to see that.
Austin was also asked if he'll make an appearance at WrestleMania 39. "I haven't got a phone call yet and it's about two weeks away so I don't expect to be there, but anything can happen."
