Stone Cold Steve Austin hasn’t appeared on WWE programming since his appearance at WrestleMania 32 alongside Shawn Michaels and Mick Foley. Since then, it’s been reported that Stone Cold’s WWE contract has expired, and there have been rumors about Austin having some disagreements with WWE officials. His wrestling career is over, but WWE fans always remain hopeful he will return to WWE in some kind of role.
As everyone prepares for WWE Survivor Series , WWE officials are trying to make the event as big as it can be. One of the biggest matches on the card is Brock Lesnar vs. Jinder Mahal. The WWE Champion and the WWE Universal Champion facing off is a major match for the PPV, so WWE officials have been wanting to have a Special Guest Referee for the contest. Names such as John Cena, Bill Goldberg, and The Undertaker have come to light thus far, but WWE officials are also considering Stone Cold Steve Austin for the role.
The powers that be specifically want to bring in a huge star into the match to create exciting new dynamics with Mahal and Lesnar. On paper, Cena makes the most sense because it would foreshadow the rumor that Cena will face Jinder Mahal at WrestleMania 34 . However, he’s already favored to win the Royal Rumble next year. Goldberg, Undertaker, and The Rock each have their own unique appeal, but they all have some history with Brock Lesnar. Stone Cold doesn’t have much history with Brock Lesnar and none with Mahal.
Over recent years, there have some rumors about Austin making his WWE return for a match with Lesnar, but Stone Cold has made it quite clear his wrestling career is over. However, those rumors show that WWE fans are interested to see them interact on WWE programming. The Special Guest Referee role would be a great situation for Austin and Lesnar to share the same ring, while Austin vs. Mahal is a natural babyface vs. strong heel dynamic. Stone Cold’s WWE return would also bring even more attention to the bout and PPV.
It’s also important to mention that WWE Survivor Series is being held in Houston, which is a very natural place for Stone Cold to make his return. He would receive a hometown hero’s welcome, and it would likely guarantee that the Toyota Center is sold out. As of this writing, it’s not confirmed that WWE officials have selected a Special Guest Referee for Lesnar vs. Mahal yet, but it’s difficult to argue that Stone Cold would be the best choice for the role.
[Featured Image by WWE]