Steve Austin On Potential In-Ring Return: You Never Say Never In This Crazy Business

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin comments on potentially returning to the ring.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin comments on potentially returning to the ring.

WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin had his in-ring career cut short due to injuries, but he has continued to make appearances over the years. In 2022, he came out of retirement at WrestleMania 38 when he faced Kevin Owens in a No Holds Barred match. Since then, fans have continued to buzz about another potential WrestleMania match for the legend.

Speaking with Marc Raimondi of ESPN, Austin commented on potentially returning to the ring. He noted that he would not rule it out, as the stars aligned for his previous match

“I said I’d never get in a ring again unless all the stars aligned. For some reason, somehow, they all did. At the age of 57, I headlined the first night of WrestleMania. I never thought I’d do that. If you’d have told me that when I retired in [2003], I’d have said, ‘You’re crazy.’ So I’m not gonna sit here and say no to anything, because you never say never in this crazy business of sports entertainment,” Austin said.

The six-time WWE Champion did not firmly state his intent to wrestle again, but he did not shut the possibility down either. He emphasized that he loves the sports entertainment industry, and he still has a passion for it. He noted that the idea of him wrestling again could happen, though he made it clear it was unlikely.

“I love the sports entertainment business more than anything I’ve ever done in my life. You get a dose of it, and you want more. So here I am talking to you a couple years later about doing it again. That’s how addicting it is to me, just to talk about it. I get excited, and I’ll start talking too fast. But it’s not gonna happen. But it could,” Austin said.

In the interview, Raimondi notes that Austin was asked whether he had an idea of what opponent he would want to face in his final match, and Austin said he did, but he did not want to name the performer, as he did not want to put pressure on WWE or the individual. 

Steve Austin has playfully turned down a match against The Rock at WrestleMania 40. Check out his comments here.