For years fans have speculated if WWE Hall Of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin could make a return to the ring. However, Austin has remained retired from in-ring competition since his last match against The Rock in 2003 at WrestleMania 19. Despite making sporadic appearances on WWE TV over the years, Austin has not gotten back into the ring as an active competitor.
Austin has playfully teased a return over the years, however. When he once interviewed Paul Heyman on his podcast, “The Steve Austin Show,” Austin teased a possible program with Brock Lesnar. Recently, Austin interviewed Joey Ryan on his podcast and teased another return.
“The Texas Rattlesnake” joked about possibly facing Ryan at WrestleMania. He soon stopped, however, noting that Vince McMahon always gets “hot as hell” when he teases a return match:
Austin: “I just got back from my fitness program, trying to get back in shape, so I was eating meal number two,” Austin said.
Ryan: “Getting in WrestleMania shape?” Ryan asked.
Austin: “Only if it’s going to be you and me, Joey. Austin and Ryan!” Austin joked.
Ryan: “You’re going to have to politic for that one. You’re going to have to politic hard for that one,” Ryan replied.
Austin: “Austin and Ryan at [WrestleMania] 35! If I make the call, it’ll happen.” Austin claimed. “Dude, anyway, I’m not going to tease it that much because Vince always gets hotter than hell at me if I tease a match.”
While that may be true, Austin still didn’t stop teasing. The topic of All In 2 came up later in the show, and Austin teased working the show:
Austin: “These people were on fire the whole damn time. I would have loved to have worked in front of that crowd. They were on fire,” Austin said.
Ryan: “I’m sure [Cody and The Young Bucks] would have given you a spot if you wanted to come work,” Ryan deadpanned.
Austin: “I might call them next year. You’ve always got to save something for the next one,” Austin responded.
H/T Wrestling Inc. for the transcriptions
