The Texas Rattlesnake might not be done rattling cages just yet. Despite what seemed like a definitive farewell at WrestleMania 38, Stone Cold Steve Austin has wrestling insiders buzzing with recent comments that suggest his legendary career could have another chapter waiting to be written.
Austin Drops Major Hints During WrestleMania Weekend
Fresh reporting from Fightful Select reveals that multiple industry sources had eyebrow-raising conversations with Austin during WrestleMania 41 festivities. The encounters paint a picture of a wrestling icon who hasn’t completely hung up his boots mentally, even if they’ve been gathering dust since his triumphant victory over Kevin Owens two years ago.
The most intriguing detail? Austin allegedly confided to at least one person that he “might have one more in him.” Sources emphasized this wasn’t casual banter about making another memorable entrance on his signature ATV—this sounded like genuine consideration of stepping between the ropes again.
Previous Return Discussions That Never Materialized
This latest development gains extra weight when considering WWE’s previous internal conversations about an Austin comeback. Company officials reportedly explored the possibility of booking Stone Cold against Roman Reigns for a WrestleMania showdown in 2023, though the stars never aligned for that dream scenario.
The fact that both Austin and WWE brass showed mutual interest in the past suggests the door has remained cracked open, even as corporate changes swept through the company following TKO’s acquisition.
Physical Condition and Mental Readiness Under Scrutiny
Wrestling fans know that wanting to return and being able to perform at WrestleMania caliber are entirely different conversations. However, those who spent time with Austin during WrestleMania week came away impressed by what they observed.
Multiple sources noted that the 59-year-old Hall of Famer appeared to be in solid physical condition and displayed a mental openness toward wrestling again—provided the circumstances aligned properly. This “right circumstances” qualifier suggests Austin isn’t interested in just any match, but rather a situation worthy of potentially concluding his storied career.
Dream Opponents and Fantasy Booking
The wrestling rumor mill has already begun churning out potential opponents for a hypothetical Austin return. CM Punk’s name has surfaced in these discussions, creating a mouth-watering prospect that would pit two of wrestling’s most compelling personalities against each other.
Such a matchup would represent a fascinating clash of eras and philosophies, with Austin’s no-nonsense brawling style contrasting beautifully with Punk’s technical prowess and microphone mastery.
The Business Reality Behind a Potential Return
While Austin previously stated that TKO hadn’t approached him about wrestling following their WWE acquisition, his prominent involvement in WrestleMania week activities suggests the relationship remains strong. Corporate priorities and financial considerations would undoubtedly factor into any serious return discussions.
A Stone Cold comeback would generate massive mainstream attention and pay-per-view buys, making it an attractive proposition for WWE’s bottom line if Austin’s body can handle the physical demands.
Whether these WrestleMania weekend conversations evolve into concrete plans remains the million-dollar question that has the wrestling world holding its breath. Could we witness Stone Cold Steve Austin stunning opponents one final time, or will these tantalizing hints remain nothing more than wishful thinking from the Rattlesnake himself?
