It’s been two years since Stone Cold Steve Austin turned back the clock and gave WWE fans an unforgettable match against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38. That would have been a fine sendoff for the Texas Rattlesnake, as it means that everyone would remember him not that far removed from the way he was in his prime.
But it’s natural to want more, and it’s become clear that many fans would love to see Austin back at the Showcase of the Immortals one more time. That begs the obvious question: Is Stone Cold Steve Austin going to be part of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia?
The short answer is we don’t know. WWE hasn’t announced any role for Austin, whether it be as a host, guest referee or what have you. There’s almost no chance he’ll be in a full-on match, both because he’s mostly dismissed the idea himself and because the WrestleMania card is likely to be jammed full as it is.
The longer answer is … maybe. As Dave Meltzer noted in his most recent Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required), WWE is believed to be working on something not just for Stone Cold but for other legends as well.
Nothing is official but the belief right now is that Steve Austin, Undertaker and John Cena will have something at WrestleMania in some form. At press time, there is no creative locked in for Cena and Austin at this moment, or if there is it’s a well-guarded secret. A lot depends on how much they are willing to do and money. Cena is free but depending on what acting stuff he has and how quick after he’s filming would determine how much he can or can’t do for insurance reasons. Austin and Undertaker would be based on willingness that they have.
In other words, it sounds like the ball is in the court of Austin and Undertaker. If they want to pop in and do something at WrestleMania 40, WWE will likely accommodate them. If not, maybe next year. Either way, with less than a week to go until the Show of Shows, we should learn soon unless WWE wants to keep it a surprise until the event itself.
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