Stone Cold possible return - Keep it here!

[BestWrestlingOpinions]

So, every day why are getting more news about how Stone Cold is training for a return, either by sources around him, or the man himself. If he is training, it most probably mean that he will have another match at Wrestlemania, so let's just start the speculation.

Let's assume that he indeed comes back. What are the options?

- A match. A dream match that people wanna see.
- Some sort of guest hosting Wrestlemania / GM role.

If we wanna quickly check out the second option, this can either be a GM sort of thing, where he wants to go against the Authority and picks Dean/Roman as his guys to go against HHH / Orton etc. It would be fun and all and I wouldn't mind it. Same goes for some sort of special host / special guest referree etc.

Now, most things indicate to a match, and this is what most people are getting hyped for. Let's analyze who we want, and who he should face:

-To me, and to a lot of people, the dream match is against Punk. Everything signals to Punk being retired, but it he is given the main even spot at WM against Austin, along with a good paycheck, he will obviously come back. The storyline is there, the clash in personalities, past footage etc. Story writes itself. It can be started in many ways. Royal Rumble. #28 comes out, Daniel Bryan. #29 Cm Punk. #30 Stone Cold Steve Austin... Talk about a magical moment. Punk/Austin brawl it out, eliminating each other, this beginning their feud... Rest is just "sit back and enjoy".

-Lesnar, for the titles. Also a match that we never saw and a lot of people wanted. Personally, even though I would like to see Heyman and Austin trading blows on the mic, I don't think it's the best option. The WWEWHC, and therefore Lesnar, should be used to elevate an up and coming guy, like Ambrose, Cesaro, Reigns, or whoever they pick to go with.

-The Rock, for the 4th time. Not a fan of this. Sure, it brings back memories, but so much have been exposed between then that no one really gets something out of a feud like this. The match will probably be sloppy too.

-Cena. Also a match a lot of people wanna see. Hard hitting Austin on the mic vs the man who will never change what he believes in. Has a lot of potential.

-Ambrose. Kinda similar with Cm Punk. The personalities clash is there. The promos will be gold. More importantly for us is that fact that we will get a hell of a program and Dean will become the next big guy.

-Notable references: Orton, HHH, Bray Wyatt, Reigns, Rollins and basically any other Superstar that is being considered to be a big time player in the future.


Now that the list of possible opponents is out of the way, I wanna talk about Austin's return, his persona etc in general. And I'm gonna do it by comparing it to the Rock, because the have so many similarities. Both were the top two stars in the top era. Both were out of action for such a long time. Both are coming back.

The fact about the Rock is that when he came back, the fans were ecstatic, but the Rock was exposed. He had lost his step, both on the mic and in the ring. His promos weren't the funny trash talking and we used to love. To me, he became John Cena #2, especially during his feud with Punk. His constant pandering to the crowd, being the ultimate good guy, smiling for the kids etc. I didn't like it. Many fans didn't like it, and the displeasure was fueled even more by the fact that the Rock won the WWE title and faced Cena in two consecutive WMs in the main event. Many people didn't like it, including me, and I really hope that Austin doesn't go the route too.
Austin is known for his more aggressive style. He will probably not go down the "John Cena #2" road, the same way Rocky did. Depending on who he is feuding with, he will most likely keep that hard hitting style and this is why a guy like Punk or Ambrose are the best opponents for him. I just don't want this to be the typical face Austin vs monster heel X guy, where Austin has to play good guy pandering to the crowd etc. If Steve is indeed to come back for a match, let him be himself. Let him be the guy who loved back in the AE. Don't screw this up the same way you screwed up the Rock, but more importantly, listen to what the fans want. Most people want Punk vs Austin. Make it happen. Punk loves pro wrestling and loves a feud with Steve at the main event. Make it happen, because after all, it is "best for business".

 

[GeminiGarlord]

Never been a fan of him, but right now one of the thing that WWE needs most is better commentators, so I could really see him replace JBL in that role.

 

[chuckmdubya]

There almost isn't anyone big enough for him to fight. He'd either have to fight Rock, Hogan, or possibly HHH to have someone at his level. But I think the one I'd like to see is Austin VS Lesnar. They say he wouldn't fight Lesnar because of his rough style and that Austin would refuse to put him over. That's a good match.
If there's anyone out there that can stop Lesnar, surely its the legendary Stone Cold Steve Austin. Gimme a Hell Yeah.

 

[WBL]

This makes me kinda sick.

The WWE needs some more people at the top. What do they do? Do they push new talent to the top? No, let's shunt them back down the midcard, and bring up people from the past like Batista, The Rock, Brock, etc. While it might be good for a bump in the present, it's gonna be horrible for the future.

 

[Jag]

Never been a fan of him, but right now one of the thing that WWE needs most is better commentators, so I could really see him replace JBL in that role.

I've never thought of this - it's pretty interesting though. Especially considering the success of his podcast in the last few years, perhaps broadcasting is the next step for SCSA.

That said, Austin is my favorite of all time, my childhood hero, yet at the same time my knowledge, allbeit humble knowledge, of the business is telling me this is a bad idea. Here's why:

-PG will keep Austin from being Austin. Sure, they'll be able to let a few middle fingers and beer bashes slide, but will a 2014 Austin be able to tell someone he's going to "whip their ass backwards?" I'm not so sure. My point is that his promos would be somewhat limited, which will have an obvious effect on his character. As the OP mentioned about the Rock, a watered down persona can make the fans resent you. I know the majority of people will say "Oh the WWE Universe could never resent Austin," but keep in mind the same people thought that about the Rock.

-Every feud other than one with Punk would seem forced. I'm having trouble coming up with some kind of premise for Austin vs. Ambrose or even Cena vs. Austin. The obvious motive for the latter would be another "Icon vs. Icon" match but didn't we already get that with Rock vs. Cena? Ambrose isn't even close to being an icon, though I do think he will be someday, but nevertheless you couldn't use that backing in that feud either.

Austin and Punk don't have an expansive history by any means (I can only recall a run-in at one of the RAW anniversary/milestone episodes, though I can't remember the exact show), but the personalities of both are perfect to make something out of nothing. I don't see that with anyone else currently in WWE right now.

Now this brings in the point of, "Well Austin and Lesnar have history and controversial unfinished business behind the scenes and in the ring." Lesnar is most likely going to Wrestlemania with the belt, and we can almost guarantee if Austin's coming back for a match it will also be at Wrestlemania. So is Austin going to go after the WWE title? The man has done literally all there is to do in WWE, not to mention he was the face of an entire era. Him vying for the title this many years after his prime wouldn't be believable in the least.

Now I'm not a booker by any means, so people much more capable than I could probably come up with an amazing storyline for a returning Austin. But on first thought, these are the main issues I see, and they seem to vastly overpower the positives.

 

[WorldChampionJustin]

Top 5 matches for Stonecold at WM 31 would be:
1) CM Punk, yes it's a long shot, but hey, anything is possible.
2) Dean Ambrose, this would be very possible, would let Stonecold push a future star.
3) Brock Lesnar, Lesnar carries the match and a stunner can come out of no where.
4) Goldberg VS Stonecold, another long shot, but it would be chaotic, how lively.
5) Randy Orton VS Stonecold, we would see another legend killer push, loss or win.

 

[mcbrainlegend]

Stone Cold is not going to wrestle again. Full stop.

He must be tired of people speculating for the last decade and taking everything he says out of context. He joked, JOKED about training for a comeback on his podcast with Drasin.

He's the best ever but he's done. He's fifty this year & he hasn't wrestled for over 11 long years.

Watch recent interviews with him, he has no hunger to get back in the ring.

Any reports of him wrestling again are BS, as they hàve been for the last decade. He ain't wrestling again. Enjoy his podcast and move on.

Would I like to see him wrestle once more? Hell yes, but it isn't happening.

 

[Jules Winnfield]

Maybe Vince is in full panic mode given the incredibly lackluster run of programming as of late. Subscriptions aren't going up on the network, ratings are down on Raw (much to do with MNF), and there isn't a lot of mainstream hype for WWE right now. I'm pretty sure that Daniel Byran's "Yes" chant is still more over outside the WWE ring then any other competitor inside the ring.

We've exhausted The Rock coming back and he's not coming back to wrestle again any time soon. Brett Hart is lost to the younger fans and whenever he does show up for a rare broadcast those segments are pretty lame. Batista will be making his final run (presumably). There's no Lesnar on television for the rest of the year (presumably) which also means no WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan are both out with injury and CM Punk is checked out.

Even if it's just as a General Manager role...bringing Stone Cold Steve Austin back is great for business. He'll over shadow Lesnar not being on television. He can get involved with any storyline and make it more relevant than any other.

Personally, I'd love to see him get involved with Dean Ambrose. But to work with him...not against him. Maybe it could eventually lead into a WM match between the two. Who knows...too far out to speculate. SCSA making any kind of return is great news for all WWE fans!

 

[BestWrestlingOpinions]

Stone Cold is not going to wrestle again. Full stop.

He must be tired of people speculating for the last decade and taking everything he says out of context. He joked, JOKED about training for a comeback on his podcast with Drasin.

He's the best ever but he's done. He's fifty this year & he hasn't wrestled for over 11 long years.

Watch recent interviews with him, he has no hunger to get back in the ring.

Any reports of him wrestling again are BS, as they hàve been for the last decade. He ain't wrestling again. Enjoy his podcast and move on.

Would I like to see him wrestle once more? Hell yes, but it isn't happening.

Ok ok, chill out bro, don't blow up, ok? How do you know he was joking about it? How do you know it is not true? I didn't say he was coming back 100% or he would wrestle 100%, but you are just saying whatever now. Do you have anything to back up your claim? Otherwise, stop with your spamming.

 

[wwesux]

well worst wrestling excrement is getting awful by the month ... why steve Austin after owen Hart put him into retirement I don t see him coming back if he is coming back its cause grandpa Hogan begged him 1000 times to have one last match! That is the only reason I can foresee this happening!

 

[J.J.]

This is a,believe it when I see it situation. He looks to be in great shape - I can honestly say I don't have a desire to see him physically compete. But if he does, I'd rather him put someone over.

 

[CM Steel]

Stone Cold Steve Austin does need to come back for "One More Match". And have the right kind of send-off kinda like how Shawn Michaels had. Austin's last match was something unexpected at Wrestlemania 19. So it would be nice to see the rattlesnake go out on a more positive note. The only question is, who would Stone Cold face for his is final match? Well CM Punk is out!

And why not have Austin return at the Royal Rumble so he can shake the ring rust off in the ring. And then have him against someone one-on-one at Wrestlemania. Makes perfect sense right?

 

[klunderbunker]

Well amazingly enough, Austin is saying this isn't true on the episode of his podcast that dropped today. Apparently that line was about getting in shape enough to come back to the original Gold's Gym because he didn't want to look out of shape when going through the doors.

Shockingly, Austin didn't break news of returning for his first match in eleven years in a one off line of a podcast with a wrestler that 99% of you have never heard of.

 

[mcbrainlegend]

Well amazingly enough, Austin is saying this isn't true on the episode of his podcast that dropped today. Apparently that line was about getting in shape enough to come back to the original Gold's Gym because he didn't want to look out of shape when going through the doors.

Shockingly, Austin didn't break news of returning for his first match in eleven years in a one off line of a podcast with a wrestler that 99% of you have never heard of.

Exactly. Thanks. The op saying I'm spamming. No, I'm just a realist

 

[rge2010]

Whether Austin coming back or not is a 'subjective issue' - as a pro Wrestling fan I have learned to never rule anything out. Maybe Austin wants to relive it all just 'once last time'? The Rock has returned, Brock has returned, Batista has returned, Hogan has returned, Sting looks like he could be set to come back. Austin could have itchy feet...and he has always said 'if the stars align'.

Possible opponents? Well we all know CM Punk has gone. I personally don't see him coming back any time soon but WWE could bring him in to goad CM Punk into a return. Punk made countless remarks about wanting to face Austin. Improbable but not impossible.

Another could be Brock Lesnar. Austin vs Brock is $$$. I don't give a shit about the future, lets talk about the present. That would be a fantastic Wrestlemania main event. Austin could carry the title for a few months and defend against Cena, Batista etc and then drop it to Reigns, Ambrose, Bryan etc - take your pick.

Finally, Triple H. Some folk love nostalgia, some don't as 'seen it'. This was a wonderful rivalry and I would have no issue seeing both hook up one more time in a Mania ring. Throw in Vinny Mac as the guest Ref.

This news certainly makes for an interesting Mania 31 because if you have Austin, Sting, Brock and other players like Rock and Batista possibly on the card then network subscriptions will go through the roof.

 

[BestWrestlingOpinions]

Exactly. Thanks. The op saying I'm spamming. No, I'm just a realist

No matter what, I said let's assume. Therefore, it can even be fantasy booking if Austin doesn't come back. Since the line was there though, and things are being reported, we are speculating here.

 

[The Warlord]

Stone Cold is not going to wrestle again. Full stop.

He must be tired of people speculating for the last decade and taking everything he says out of context. He joked, JOKED about training for a comeback on his podcast with Drasin.

He's the best ever but he's done. He's fifty this year & he hasn't wrestled for over 11 long years.

Watch recent interviews with him, he has no hunger to get back in the ring.

Any reports of him wrestling again are BS, as they hàve been for the last decade. He ain't wrestling again. Enjoy his podcast and move on.

Would I like to see him wrestle once more? Hell yes, but it isn't happening.

When did you start watching wrestling? 6 months ago?

The more people think something isnt going to happen in this business...the bigger the chance of it actually happening.

You dont think money talks?

How many times do you hear wrestlers say that they cant get that adrenaline rush anywhere else. You cant bottle that shit up and sell it.

Those two reasons alone are enough to "never say never."

But if you live in Steve Austins basement and talk to him on a daily basis then disregard everything I just said.

Have a nice day!

 

[TheRavishingone]

"We've exhausted The Rock coming back and he's not coming back to wrestle again any time soon."

All recent news indicates The Rock will be most assuredly wrestling at Wrestlemania 31 including and promo that will be on smackdown with Triple H that even hints they will be wrestling at WM31. How often does the WWE hint at things like that so explicitly especially on TV unless there is a very high possibility of it happening.

Triple H vs The Rock WM31 80%

The Warlord's comment is spot on. The whole business, especially when it comes to returning stars is based on surprises and trying to stifle any information that comes out to show someone may be returning. The Undertaker just this week both gave doubts about him showing up at WM31 and then hints that he would be there just during one Wizardcon speaking to two autograph seekers. I mean come on. Again though as Warlord said if you live in Steve Williams basement I guess you showed us

 

[Jules Winnfield]

"We've exhausted The Rock coming back and he's not coming back to wrestle again any time soon."

All recent news indicates The Rock will be most assuredly wrestling at Wrestlemania 31 including and promo that will be on smackdown with Triple H that even hints they will be wrestling at WM31. How often does the WWE hint at things like that so explicitly especially on TV unless there is a very high possibility of it happening.

Triple H vs The Rock WM31 80%

The Warlord's comment is spot on. The whole business, especially when it comes to returning stars is based on surprises and trying to stifle any information that comes out to show someone may be returning. The Undertaker just this week both gave doubts about him showing up at WM31 and then hints that he would be there just during one Wizardcon speaking to two autograph seekers. I mean come on. Again though as Warlord said if you live in Steve Williams basement I guess you showed us

Yeah, I wrote that before he randomly showed up on Raw. You wanna talk about wishy washy...I went from not caring to see The Rock at WM, to watching his surprise return on Raw, to loving the idea of him showing up again. Once I saw him verbally destroy Lana and Rusev...I realized just how great he truly is on the mic compared to today's standard.

 

[Navi]

All recent news indicates The Rock will be most assuredly wrestling at Wrestlemania 31 including and promo that will be on smackdown with Triple H that even hints they will be wrestling at WM31. How often does the WWE hint at things like that so explicitly especially on TV unless there is a very high possibility of it happening.

Triple H vs The Rock WM31 80%

The Warlord's comment is spot on. The whole business, especially when it comes to returning stars is based on surprises and trying to stifle any information that comes out to show someone may be returning. The Undertaker just this week both gave doubts about him showing up at WM31 and then hints that he would be there just during one Wizardcon speaking to two autograph seekers. I mean come on. Again though as Warlord said if you live in Steve Williams basement I guess you showed us

I don't know if this makes me happy or sad. Happy in the respect that I would love to see Steve Austin back in the ring, or sad that we don't have enough faith in todays product that we have to have these guys come back.

Out of all the former wrestlers, the Rock is the only one who really looks capable of being able to give it a good shot in the ring. Austin has been out for 11 years, Hogan can't for medical reasons, same with Edge. Batista is still in shape sort of, but the guy looked gassed in almost every recent match.

Yes surprises are great and all well and good, but when it takes the spotlight away from the current crop of wrestlers then I have an issue with that. Now I wouldn't mind seeing Rock/Reigns, who better to put Reigns over than his cousin. There is no one on the roster today that I would put into the ring with Austin, Hogan or Edge.

Sting is a different breed. He has still got it, and I put that down to the fact that he never wrestled for the WWE. In TNA they did a few shows a week at the same facility. Hardly any travel, easier workload and his body hasn't been put through the wringer as much as the others have. If he had been with the WWE for the last 10 years, yes he'd be in the same shape as the other Legends. Let these guys come back and do promo's, guest refereee's. announcers, whatever. That way we could still see them, but remember them the way they were.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Another could be Brock Lesnar.

Y'know, for all the scorn many of us have attributed to Brock for his "take the money & run" stance with WWE, I've got to give him one thing; as opposed to people who have returned for a match from out of nowhere (ex. Rock, Kevin Nash) Brock at least trains enough to get himself in match condition. Yes, what he was doing before his return to WWE was mixed martial arts, but the pre-scripted ways of pro wrestling have to be a hell of a lot different than that.....yet Brock brings it, makes it look real.

But having Brock oppose Steve Austin might be a real mess. As great as he was, Stone Cold has been gone a long time and a match-up between he and Lesnar would give us two guys who weren't exactly ring technicians in their best years, now trying to lead each other to a decent looking match. As a spectacle, it would be really something to witness.....as a wrestling match, folks might be disappointed.

No, if Stone Cold is going to fight a match, it should be against John Cena. The #1 man of today against the #1 man of yesterday. First of all, the build-up would be huge.....but, importantly, despite the unwarranted criticism of Cena's wrestling ability, he can bring a superior contest with anybody ....he sells as well as can possibly be done (despite the difference in their builds and sizes, he made Daniel Bryan look as if he were truly capable of beating him, which is more of a trick than Cena's detractors realize).....and Cena would know just how to play into what Austin does best.

If Stone Cold ever steps foot in the ring for battle, I'd want to see him against John Cena.

 

[Bruno's Sanctimony]

One of the possibilities that hasn't yet been discussed is one that I would have to imagine is being considered by the powers that be...

Austin vs. Sting.

If 'Taker chooses to sit out WM31, this one can be sold to the moon.

I think it would be foolish of the suits in Hartford not to be considering this one.

 

[#hamler]

Unlike a lot of WWE legends, when Austin retired from in ring competition, he stayed retired. I am sure that's very hard to do for someone who grew up and loved the business pretty much all of his adult life. I respect that about Austin. He's one of the few part timers that would be welcomed back with open arms from WWE audiences. And I don't blame them, it's Stone Cold Steve fucking Austin!

Steve Austin coming out retirement for a short while would potentially be one of the bigger/best moves for the WWE's biggest pay-per-view of the year in WrestleMania. The roster is absolutely stacked with guys who can use the rub from the greatest superstar of all time. Rollins, Reigns, Ambrose, would be great. The Rock, Triple H or Brock Lesnar would be even greater. The greatest option however, lies with John Cena. Out of all the matches possible matches for Steve Austin, versus Cena would ideally be the best option.

With situations perhaps preventing Hogan from battling Cena, it would be wise to go with the next best thing. Like Hogan, Steve Austin was a huge mega star that ushered in an era that helped take WWE to heights unheard of at the time. Hogan and Steve Austin both have always been the most popular superstars to ever step foot in the WWE. The only difference, it isn’t too late for Steve Austin. Judging from Tough Enough a few years back, Steve Austin can still go. While Hogan's health questionable right now, Steve Austin can certainly take the spot there and fill the role to perfection. Neck issues aside, Steve Austin is working with one of the safest and most professional guys on the roster in John Cena; so he won't have to worry about carelessness you might find in some of the younger talent or even Brock Lesnar.

If Steve Austin were to come out of retirement, John Cena should be his definite pick as a rival. Unlike 90 percent of the roster, John Cena is certainly where the money is at. Given that Wrestlemania XXXI is right around the corner, we need a huge match to top all other matches and this will easily take the cake. A match to rival the greatness of The Rock vs. Hogan and right now, I feel we NEED another one of those. With all the part timers rumored to make a return, there's enough room for younger talent to be in matches with them. This match needs to happen. It may not be the most popular opinion among most of the forum members, but it is by far the smartest.