The wrestling fans of the world would love to see “Stone Cold” Steve Austin return to WWE and make an in-ring return to action. At a time when rumors are running wild of a Bill Goldberg return to WWE, many wonder if Austin will ever truly put on the wrestling boots again. Well, the legend has finally come out and absolutely set the record straight on his possible comeback.
Austin recently spoke with ABC News about a number of things, but the 51-year-old legend mostly talked about his life after pro wrestling. Yes, he hasn’t wrestled in years and he’s in great shape, but would he ever be willing to get back to action?
It was back in 2003 that Austin officially announced his retirement from wrestling, and he said that he didn’t expect to go on to become a successful businessman like he is now. He actually didn’t know what he was going to do after leaving the ring, and it left his life kind of up in the air.
“My exit strategy from pro wrestling wasn’t carved in stone. I retired because of a few neck issues, some neurological issues… and finally after about three years of hunting and fishing, I said to myself, ‘Steve you need to get off you a** and get to L.A.’ When you wrestle for 15 years, you don’t want to go back to driving that forklift. Based on the name value I had, I went to L.A. and got involved in independent movies.”
Austin has starred in a number of films such as The Expendables , Grown Ups 2 , The Longest Yard , and others. He has two successful reality shows in Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge and Redneck Challenge while doing a host of other things, as well.
Bringing him even more success and recognition is his podcast, which is simply called “The Steve Austin Show.” He talks to numerous celebrities and athletes from all walks of life, and it gets millions upon millions of listens per week.
He’s still involved with WWE on a number of promotional things and even does appearances for them every now and again. Austin has said he will be at WrestleMania 32 in Texas in April, but fans want to know if he is going to be wrestling or just showing up.
WrestleZone has pointed out that during the interview with Austin, the former champ was asked if he would ever get back in the ring.
“Naw man, I’m done. I’d rather leave well enough alone.”
Even though “Stone Cold” Steve Austin has said in the past that he’d never wrestle again, this time, it just seems more definite. He’s been attached to rumored matches with Brock Lesnar or even a possibly returning Bill Goldberg , but they were never anything more than assumptions.
It’s hard to really say “never” in the world of professional wrestling, but there come those times when it’s just the moment of acceptance.
Former world champion Edge will never get back in the ring due to his neck injuries, and that’s understood. Sting may never win a title in WWE, and everyone is starting to accept that. Now, it appears as if “Stone Cold” Steve Austin will never return to the ring again.
That’s just what needs to be accepted, and it looks as if Austin is one that officially feels it, knows it, and accepts it.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin is only 51-years-old and will likely be involved with WWE in one way or another for years to come. As an in-ring competitor though, those days are over and an active wrestling return will never be something that fans get to see from him again.
[Image via WWE]