Stone Cold teases return to ring

[bringitback]

As reported in this weeks UK sun newspaper, in an interview with Stone Cold Steve Austin, he reported that his neck is now 100%, and for the first time that I know of, he did not rule out a return to the ring, but instead stated:

"""I'm lucky, you know my neck is 100 per cent these days........I never thought I'd say it, but when I'm asked about one more match these days I do tend to say 'never say never'. So don't rule it out." "

So, what do you think? Is stone cold relevent enough these days to really create a stir with one more match? Do you think he should, if given the choice, lace up the boots one more time? Who would you like to see him come back and fight?

Open for discussion.....what are your thoughts?

 

[The Brain]

To answer the first question, yes Austin would create a stir with one more match. Austin will always be popular with WWE fans and people would seriously mark out for this. I, however, don't want to see him come back. He hasn't wrestled in nearly eight years. I have a hard time believing his neck is 100%. I doubt it ever will be again. I could be wrong. Ten years ago I didn't think HBK's back would ever be good enough for him to wrestle again.

Assuming Austin is 100% I still wouldn't want to see a comeback. I think WrestleMania XIX was the greatest mania ever, and Austin's retirement is part of the reason. He is the one guy who actually retired and stayed retired. I would have guessed he would have come back for another match somewhere along the way, but nearly eight years later he hasn't. I think he had an appropriate end to his career and he should just let it be. Guys like Hogan and Flair are always criticized for coming back when they are well past their primes. Some argue it damages their legacy. Austin's legacy is perfect as is right now. A comeback is not necessary.

 

[The Pagan]

I think it would cool to see Austin vs Orton. They have very similiar characters. The Rattlesnake vs The Viper. The Stunner vs. The RKO. I think it would have MASSIVE drawing power, not to mention being one hell of a match.

 

[BigLuther]

I suppose John Cena would make the most sense. Although with the PG direction today, I think a feud between the two would just make me sad. It would be very corny and cartoonish. In thinking of the actual feud itself, and not so much the match, I would like to see him face The Miz. Obviously both are awesome on the mic, and I think could provide some solid entertainment. Plus just feuding with Austin would give Miz yet another shove towards the top. He wouldn't even need to win, just make it competitive and entertaining.

 

[Ruthless-RKO]

Come on you guys!! One tease and ur making a thread about possible opponents etc..

He has said in all his recent interviews, 'never say never', quite a lot of people say it, truth is, I don't think he will return, if he WAS to have one last match, then he would have had one already, why wait, because he IS getting older!!

So I don't think he will be wrestling again, he said it, his last match will be against The Rock..It's just a saying that a lot of people take too seriously..

 

[sTyLnK]

Steve is much to busy with his movies and just relaxing living the good life. Hopefully no one reads to much into what he said. It's not like he's going to return for a match any time soon. Simply saying that you never know what can happen in life down the road. Right now and for probably a few years he's doing his thing.

 

[shattered dreams]

I am a huge Austin mark but what I realized after watching him host raw is that I do not want to see him in WWE right now. There just is no such thing as a PG Austin. Even if they let him be Austin, I just do not see the allure in a one last match with anyone currently in wwe. The dream match with Hogan or a program with Anderson are about the only ways I would want to see Austin in the ring at this point. If you think Austin is going to coming back to put over Orton you might want to get a reality check.

 

[JBK2008]

As much as I want to see Austin come back, it's not going to happen. He would've already did it by now, and there isn't really anyone for him to face that would really draw. The PG era would kill his character, especially with Linda running for the senate spot.

However if he did come back, Cena, Miz, Orton, Sheamus or a mid carder on the rise or something for the bump. That said though, I still don't see him returning sadly. It sucks because he looks great but I think age and ring rust would hurt him as well.

 

[The Raven's Epitaph]

You know that The Sun is reknown for bullshitting, right?

Anyway. You also forgot to mention the part where Steve says "wrestling wise, I'd be a total mess right now." when he speaks about his neck.

I don't think Steve is teasing a return to the ring. We might see him around on TV once in a while like in 2003 and 2004, but I don't think he'll get back into the ring and compete. Even if he did, what would come of it? He probably wouldn't become WWE Champion again, he's way past that. If anything, that entire Sun article was just them interviewing him, even more so it's publicity for WWE. Vince loves mainstream publicity so he has his top guy right now, John Cena, going on kids television and has his ex-main guy still publisising his company. Vince is a corporate God.

It'd be nice to see Steve back around the WWE, but I honestly don't think he's going back at all, or if he does, to compete. To each his own. Steve's way past his time I'm afraid.

 

[I_Am_Electro_Boy]

I don't want Austin to have another match, I think if you say that you've retired then you should stay retired. I respect Austin for not having another match, he's one of the only wrestlers to not go back on his word. Look what happened to Bret, he couldn't deliver in his match against McMahon and I don't think Austin will be able to preform like he used to, so I think he just should not have another match and be remembered as the great wrestler he was.

 

[Dibil]

I'm pretty sure he will return in some shape or form but I don't think it will be for a match.Austin,while not exactly old,isn't getting any younger (He's 46 in December) but I guess since people like Kane,Undertaker,Sting etc are wrestling and are in their mid 40s I don't see why Austin can't.An Austin return in a wrestling role would be a HUGE draw.If he is going to return and have a match with someone,he better do it quick.Think about it,in 4 years he will be 50.In 6 years he will be 52.I'd love to see him face Randy Orton and hopefully beat Orton's ass! Hell Yeah!

 

[neildittmar]

Silly

That's the best word I can think of to describe a Stone Cold Steve Austin wrestling return to today's WWE. The obvious reason is given the direction of the product and the audience it's intending to capture (ie; children and families). 90% of the "Stone Cold" character would be completely lost if Steve Austin were forced to perform within those constraints. The other 10% is his style of core wrestling moves/holds that WWE doesn't exactly smile upon these days either.

Truthfully, I was happy to hear that his neck is now 100% given the multitude of problems he has had over the years. I think it would be equally silly if he'd risk that health status just to have one more go. Just look at Hogan, who is also brought up in the same interview. Hogan has had back/hip problems for a couple decades. He would rehabilitate to 90 or 100% too at times. Then he'd step back in the ring "for one more go brother" and be back to square one or worse. Following the Hulkamania tour and his recent "work" in TNA, the man is now borderline crippled. Is that what Austin wants to risk for himself? Is that what his fans would really want?

Ultimately, Steve (Williams) Austin is the only one who can make the decision about wrestling one more time. The "Never Say Never" phrase he used is a classic one in the industry for sure, but one that tends to have some merit to it within the context of in-ring returns. I'm sure Austin has contemplated (more than once) about getting in the ring again... having one more stay in the spotlight and cashing one more big Wrestlemania paycheck. Seeing presumably less capable guys do it (ie; Bret Hart) probably has the gears turning a bit more than they otherwise would.

Will he return in a wrestling capacity? In my opinion the chances are probably good. However, I expect to be disappointed when/if that does happen. The foul-mouthed, beer-swilling, redneck rattlesnake will effectively be turned into the crotchety, O'douls slamming, good-ole-southern garter snake.

Given an "expected" feud with Orton though, I can only imagine the look on Austins face when creative helpfully suggests that he convulse and jerk around like Randy does to help get the "snake vs. snake" feud over even more. Perhaps if Jake Roberts takes a trip down Sobriety Boulevard for a few months, he could be special guest referee.

 

[Miro_A12004]

Well he always said the "never say never" quote when asked about one more final match.

Plus the sun is one of the worst tabloid newspapers in the UK, basically 90% of what is written is either completly fabricated or twisted to suit their agenda, unless I really listen to the actual interview (if there was ever one) I am not believing he said that

 

[RKO_RKO_RKO]

Stone Cold's character is too much for the PG Era to handle. Middle Finger, BASTARD BASTARD BASTARD, beer drinking, yeah, he's not coming back any time soon until the WWE exits this PG era. Heck go PG-13 at least.

 

[closet_fan]

First match I thought of was next Wrestlemania with Stone Cold against Undertaker. That could be a great "official" ending to both of their careers.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

It shouldn't happen... and if it does it would just be horrid... Think of the moves Austin CANNOT take... RKO, Tombstone, Attitude Adjustment/STFU even a pedigree or LeBell Lock would be risky if his neck is not right... so that takes most of the suspects out of the hunt...

Then work with that Austin is not going to come back to lose... so that takes out a lot of guys in the ME... as it could kill momentum...

"Giving the rub" to a younger guy is kind of redundant as Austin has been away so long... they have already beaten the modern equivalents of Austin.

The only guy I see working for Austin is...Chris Jericho...

I could see a Jericho/Austin WM match, Both Jericho's finishers and general moveset would be suitable for Austin's neck and the match would draw considerable heat as they have a great chemistry on the mic (as evidenced on the extras of the Y2J DVD) Have it start with Jericho berating the fans for still chanting "What?" 8 years after Stone Cold last wrestled.

As a close 2nd I could see Edge's new "stupidity" gimmick working...

 

[vampirek]

Stone Cold's character is too much for the PG Era to handle. Middle Finger, BASTARD BASTARD BASTARD, beer drinking, yeah, he's not coming back any time soon until the WWE exits this PG era. Heck go PG-13 at least.

Will you please give this PG rubbish a rest and please ****ing understand that Stone Cold Steve Austin was created in a PG rated WWF. What you said is a load of old bull. When will people learn what PG is.

 

[I_got_bant_for_idiocy]

leave austin out of the ring, this guy finished on top and theres no reason for him to come back and have one more match even if its with hogan its pointless, its not gonna do nothing for him.. I hate seen these old wrestlers coming back not saying austin is old and still cant draw, its time to move on him and the rock aint coming back... out with the old in with the new.. n i dont mean noooooo DISRESPECT to Austin or the rock these 2 are my favorite wrestlers of all time..

 

[ccotreau1]

First match I thought of was next Wrestlemania with Stone Cold against Undertaker. That could be a great "official" ending to both of their careers.

I was thinking that match too...Taker never faced SCSA at Mania, and I feel it would be a great sendoff

 

[WWE all the way!]

Put it this way if Stone Cold Steve Austin is to return for 1 match what would you want to see... SCSA vs Randy Orton, SCSA vs The Miz, SCSA vs John Cena none of them would be remembered seen as SCSA is past his best condition whereas these current wrestlers are in their primes
It would take a massive amount of training and work to pull off though heres my idea...
Wrestlemania who could retire The Undertaker and you wouldn't feel too down after it none other than the rattlesnake himself!
picture after royal rumble The Undertaker comes out and says there is no one worthy of facing him at Wrestlemania then Austins music hits
Both men after their wrestlemania match would get a standing ovvation if pulled of, if it was cena hell the arena would riot!

 

[Palange420]

Did you really just ask if Stone Cold Steve Austin is relevant enough to make a splash in the WWE? Well I mean he's only the greatest superstar to ever step inside the squared circle (I didn't say best wrestler). He pretty much single handedly saved the wwf from wcw in the late 90's with a lil help from the Rock of course, but without Austins badass character The Rock's character wouldn't have been taken in the direction it was. The man revolutionized this business, and fans like me all over the world have been dying, I mean hurting for one more quality match from Austin. If it was at a ppv, which im sure it would be, buys would skyrocket, every fan that the WWE has lost since the attitude era would come back, even if for just one night. So, the answer is YES, stone cold steve austin is more than fucking relevant lol wow I still cant believe u asked that question.

 

[Richard]

Well it's probably not going to happen, but hypothetically, if it were to happen, I don't think I would have a problem with it, just as long as it was a good match but as Steve said, he'd be a mess in the ring.

Who would he face? Orton? Cena? Well those are some obvious main eventers to pick from but I think I would love a Stone Cold vs CM Punk feud.

It makes sense with CM Punk being straight edge and Stone Cold being, well Stone Cold. I don't think it would matter if WWE is PG for Stone Cold, it would matter for The Rock. It would be entertaining and give CM Punk a massive chance at a massive storyline.

Steve would still be able to use most of his catchphrases: "What", "Give me a hell yeah". He wouldn't be able to use "Son of a bitch" though.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I have no idea if Stone Cold Steve Austin could be contemplating some sort of a return to the WWE in some capacity. My knee jerk reaction would be no, at least not as an active wrestler. He could possibly come back as an authority figure (mystery GM perhaps) or could come back for a limited feud with one guy or even a couple of guys. If his back is feeling better, he may be capable of some degree of physicality, but I doubt he's able or willing to return to the grueling rigors of the hectic WWE schedule.

Having said this, two things come to mind. First of all, I think back to HBK. Many years ago, he had retired due to chronic back troubles and people said he was done, that he was physically unable to compete any more. A buddy of mine who was watching more wrestling than me at the time laughed at me when I wondered if Michaels could ever come back. Of course he did come back. This same friend suggested he would only come back for a very short time and would be very limited in what he could do in the ring and what types of bumps he could take. We all know how this played out, as he went full out for many years after this. Now I don't know SCSA's full health history and I'm not his personal physician, but I would be hesitant to fully rule him out. HBK proved that sometimes guys can surprise you if they want to badly enough.

Secondly, this bullshit about SCSA being ineffective in the PG era is utter nonsense. Of course he can function in the PG era, it's silly to suggest otherwise. Sure he may have to modify his style a little, but last time I checked it was WWE, not Barney or the Wiggles or something. He can still be the brash SCSA of old, just tone down the beer and the language a tad, and he's ready to go.

Who knows, maybe he's one of "them," now that would change the landscape of professional wrestling and get people talking. Hogan and SCSA, together, wow. Never happen of course, but wouldn't that be something.

 

[Morpheus101]

I don't have a problem with Austin deciding to come back if he so chooses to; in fact, I'd look forward to it. I do have a problem with the fact that WWE is a *****fied version of its former self, leaving me wondering how Stone Cold would even begin to fit in to the new "watered down" WWE. For sure, you cannot water Stone Cold's character down. He brawls, he kicks ass, he raises hell, he cusses, he drinks beer and flips people off. Just tell me how that'd translate in the PG era of WWE?

 

[CKguy217]

As much as I would like to see Austin back, I think he would be horrible in the ring now. As said before, he hasn't wrestled a match in about eight years.

It might be cool to see Austin as a general manager, which we've seen before, but it would still be sweet.

Sure, his neck MAY be fine, but what about his knees. Aren't his knees shot? I thought that was one of the main reasons why he retired.