WWE: Stone Cold Steve Austin En Route To In-Ring Return?

Oh hell yeah!  Do dreams really happen at Wrestlemania? Because WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin recently mentioned that he was training for a comeback. In a recent Steve Austin Show podcast with former wrestler and bodybuilder Ric Drason, Austin said:

“I’m trying to get back into shape for a comeback.”

The Texas Rattlesnake said that he’s prepping for a return to the ring. Austin mentioned during the podcast, “I’m trying to get back into shape for a comeback.”

Austin has previously said that he’s working out and getting in shape, which as reported last month led many from within WWE to suspect he was training for an in-ring return. It’s been rumored that he could return at WrestleMania, but there’s no evidence of that yet.

For months now, Stone Cold Steve Austin continues to be rumored for a comeback. The WWE Hall of Famer retired in 2003 from in-ring competition and hasn’t returned since. Of course, the dream matchup of “Stone Cold vs. CM Punk” will always exist in the minds of WWE fans. After their iconic encounter on Monday Night Raw in 2011, fans will continue to clamor about the match until it happens.

The Texas Rattlesnake was last seen in Wrestlemania XXX doing a promo with The Rock and Hulk Hogan. Austin’s eventual return to the squared circle started to become a reality weeks ago, when the WWE started to push more Stone Cold merchandise, and his podcast started to be promoted by the WWE on their shows. Thing is, they don’t push Chris Jericho’s podcast like they are doing with Austin.

Since the money isn’t an issue for Punk, something nostalgic might be the key to bringing him back. The WWE knows better to at least ask Punk if he’ll return for that feud. We already know Stone Cold would be up for a match with Punk. Punk needs to be up for it as well.

Austin will be 50 by the time WrestleMania 31 arrives. Time on the physical side and relevant side is ticking. He’ll always be Stone Cold, but the crowd who still misses him will only be caring for so long.

The Rock’s had his comebacks. Brock Lesnar’s had his comebacks. Shawn Michaels has retired. Ric Flair has retired. The Undertaker’s streak has been broken. Hulk Hogan has returned to be the walking informercial for WWE.

Austin has nothing else to prove. But, people still care, and a payday is to be made. Austin isn’t hurting for money. In fact, he’s done really well for himself with the other endeavors he’s involved in. Austin noted this past week that he wrapped season 4 of CMT’s Redneck Island. Filming was done in Hartwell, Georgia.

But there’s a good story and official finale that can be presented with his final match.

Austin is good friends and respects Brock Lesnar tremendously. It’s the match we never got. It’s the match Austin actually walked out on 11 years ago and is one he regrets. It would be an iconic matchup for WWE to hype. But I don’t see this happening, either. If Lesnar remains in the title picture until WrestleMania 31, Austin needs no part of that scenario.

John Cena is the best answer currently. A dream match of two guys who carried the flags for two separate eras. A match to get a lot of people interested that could be entertaining but not cause either to be physically drained for the weeks to follow.

Austin is the final curtain call left, as it should be.  And, that’s the bottom line.