‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin refuses to rule out a potential return to the WWE despite being retired since 2003… and admits that he’d make a comeback ‘if the stars aligned’

WWE legend Steve Austin has refused to rule out a sensational return to the company despite officially retiring from the sport in 2003. 

The wrestling icon came out of a 20-year retirement at WrestleMania 38 in 2022, when he faced and defeated Kevin Owens – however he hasn’t returned to the ring since. 

Rumours had recently circulated that the 59-year-old could make a comeback against fellow fan-favourite CM Punk at WrestleMania 40 and it seems that Austin is somewhat keen. 

Speaking on a potential return to the WWE, he told ESPN: ‘I dissected what I did, and I know that I can improve on what I did. 

‘I said I’d never get in a ring again unless all the stars aligned. And for some reason, somehow, they all did. And at the age of 57, I headlined the first night of WrestleMania. 

Rumours had circulated suggesting that the 59-year-old could make a comeback against fellow fan-favourite CM Punk at WrestleMania 40 

‘I never thought I’d do that. If you’d have told me that when I retired in [2003], I’d have said, ‘You’re crazy.’ So I’m not gonna sit here and say no to anything, because you never say never in this crazy business of sports entertainment.’

Then, when asked about the potential matchup with CM Punk, Austin admitted that the fight ‘would be a good one’.  

He continued: ‘I like Punk, and I think Punk likes me — so, as long as he can take a [Stone Cold] Stunner. 

‘I consider him a great friend, a great guy and a great wrestler who’s had a great career. We’ll see.’

Fellow icon CM Punk made a sensational return to the WWE in December during Survivor Series and helped the federation crush its social media record for the event by garnering more than 71 million views across all platforms.

Following the fan favourite’s return, the WWE have big plans for Punk and were optimistic the 45-year-old will agree to face off against wrestling legend Austin at the company’s blockbuster event in April.

Fans have long speculated and hoped for a high-profile match between the two wrestling icons, with seemingly close agreements regularly falling through.

According to Fightful Select, WWE sources have revealed that Punk has already had discussions about the possibility of fighting Stone Cold, but it’s not currently known how far talks have gone.

The wrestling icon retired from the sport in 2003 but made a rare WWE appearance in 2022

Back in March, Austin ruled out a potential appearance at 2023’s WrestleMania 39.

The 58-year-old, who admitted that he loves his relationship with the WWE, claimed that his day in the ring are ‘done’.

‘Coming back to do something from time to time is fine, because I love my relationship with WWE, but my days in the ring are done,’ he told NBC Los Angeles.

‘Although, I did do the main event at WrestleMania last year in Dallas but that was kind of a fluke and we pulled it off.

‘It’s good to be back and see some of the faces, but I’ve been gone for a long time and I do not miss it.’