Stone Cold Steve Austin Reveals What Would Get Him Back in the Ring
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin's electrifying return to the ring against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, his first official match in nearly two decades, sparked speculation about potential future bouts.
While both Austin and Owens fondly remember the match, and many fans view it as a fitting final chapter, Austin recently addressed his own feelings about his in-ring future during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.
When asked if he was at peace with the critically acclaimed match against Owens being his last, the Texas Rattlesnake confirmed he was, while also revealing the low-pressure scenario that might still hold some appeal for him.
"Totally," Austin responded when asked if he was at peace. "There is always that part in the back of your mind — there was a match, I think they billed it as an exhibition match between Nick Bockwinkel and Billy Robinson in Japan. Those two guys put on a really nice clinic.
It was about 11 to 15 minutes, and the Japanese people really appreciated that match. Those guys were badass and could really work." He elaborated on why that specific match style holds interest for him now, differentiating it from a high-stakes comeback attempt of having a full-blown wrestling match.
"To do something like that would be fun. It's an exhibition, you're not trying to go out there and steal the show, just go out there to do it one more time in front of the fans because you love the business as much as you do and it would be very interesting," he explained. "You always think in the back of your mind about something like that. Exhibition-style, so you don't have all that pressure of trying to be who you were in your athletic prime."
HOUSTON - APRIL 04: 2009 WWE Hall of Fame inductee Stone Cold Steve Austin attends the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania's WWE Hall of Fame at the Toyota Center on April 4, 2009 in Houston, Texas....
HOUSTON - APRIL 04: 2009 WWE Hall of Fame inductee Stone Cold Steve Austin attends the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania's WWE Hall of Fame at the Toyota Center on April 4, 2009 in Houston, Texas. More
More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation
Austin acknowledged the physical realities of performing years after his peak. "When you're out of prime, there is a night and day difference of how you can perform. That's the way it is for any athlete in any sport."
Ultimately, Austin reiterated his contentment should the Owens match stand as his final in-ring performance. "If that was my last endeavor in the ring, I'm totally at peace with it. I ran hard, I had fun. We achieved a lot. It was what it was and I have no regrets. I gave it everything I had," he concluded.
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