‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin could be in line for a remarkable return to WWE, 18 years after originally retiring.
With WrestleMania 2022 just months away, the organisers are exploring ways to make this year’s event better than ever before.
Undoubtedly the most significant event in the wrestling calendar, WrestleMania has been around since 1985.
Dubbed the “Super Bowl of sports entertainment,” the 38th edition of the event will kick off on 2 April 2022.
Several big fights will occur across the weekend, with Brock Lesnar’s bout against current Universal Champion Roman Reigns top of the bill.
Read: Brock Lesnar delivers terrifying warning to WWE fans planning to attack wrestlers.
While excitement builds ahead of the showpiece event, WrestleMania promoter Vince McMahon is eyeing one legendary inclusion.
WWE journalist Bryan Alvarez confirmed via Twitter that a Stone Cold return was on the cards.
“Yes, Steve Austin vs Kevin Owens has been discussed for WrestleMania,” revealed Alvarez.
Stone Cold return selling point for WrestleMania
It will mark his first fight since WrestleMania XIX if Austin returns to the ring, a staggering 19 years ago.
But, a match-up against Kevin Owens would make sense for the now 57-year-old.
Owens has adopted the ‘stunner’ as his finishing move, something made famous by none other than Stone Cold himself.
However, there are also suggestions that the location of WrestleMania could be a driving force behind McMahon’s decision.
A Texan native, Austin’s involvement would help drive large crowds to the AT&T Stadium.
Marred by controversy over disputed attendances, McMahon will be keen to see a full crowd for the first WrestleMania without Covid restrictions.
Despite the attempts to lure Stone Cold out of retirement, not all WWE fans have shared the excitement.
Flocking to Twitter to discuss the proposal, one fan passed it off as a “desperate” stunt:
“Trotting out Stone Cold out of retirement out of sheer desperation trying to sell tickets for WrestleMania.
“It’s kinda sad tbh this is levels Vince is willingly to resort to.”
Almost two decades since his dramatic final match against Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who knows what shape Stone Cold is in?
But, as one of the biggest names in WWE, a return to the ring for Stone Cold Austin would be sure to pull in viewers from all over the world.
