With the WWE laying groundwork six months in advance of its biggest pay-per-view ever, discussions are ongoing about a match at WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans that wrestling fans have been pining for ever since CM Punk skyrocketed to stardom in the WWE: CM Punk vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin. It seems as though all of that dreaming and wishing may lead to a real confrontation as reports indicate that the WWE has been mulling a "dream match" scenario that would pit its biggest beer drinker ever against the "Straight Edge Superstar."
Austin has not appeared in a WWE ring since WrestleMania XIX when he lost to The Rock and injuries piled up on the "Texas Rattlesnake," leading to that storied contest being his unannounced final match with the company. The business has changed a lot since Austin left but one thing has continuously popped up every time WrestleMania season nears, and that is the fans' desires to see Austin to have one last farewell match at the marquee event of the year.
Examiner.com recently reported that Hulk Hogan decided not to return to the WWE not only because their offer was extremely low for the wrestling icons' standards, but because Hogan wanted to work a program with Punk while the company already had plans for one of its most popular Superstars during WrestleMania in New Orleans, despite the fact that the event won't go off until April 6.
While Hogan wanted to face Punk, the WWE is looking to put him either in a match for the World Heavyweight Championship or WWE Championship, but has also still remained open to the "dream match" scenario that would pit Punk against Austin in a contest that would go down as one of the most anticipated matchups in the history of WrestleMania. The WWE feels Punk vs. Austin would draw more than Punk vs. Hogan since Austin hasn't wrestled since 2003 and it would likely be his final match.
Added to this is the fact that Punk has been verbally upset that he hasn't been able to be in the main event at WrestleMania, despite appearing at the event seven times so far in his career. Even though Punk was given a high profile match against The Undertaker and his undefeated streak at WrestleMania XXIX last April, Punk was still unhappy about not closing out the show in pursuit of a title, and WWE has seemingly taken notice.
"I don't really mince words, I'm not gonna tell you I'm excited for Cena and Rock II because I'm not," Punk told reporters during WrestleMania XXIX weekend last year. "I'd be more excited if it was me and John [Cena]."
While Punk was upset about not being in the main event for the title, it's possible that he'd be open to facing Austin in a top-billed match at the WWE's premiere event.
While the match has been highly anticipated and Austin has in the past expressed his desire to face Punk, last month it was reported that Austin has no plans on returning to the ring.
"The chances are pretty slim to be frank about it," Austin said on The MMA Hour last month per WrestlingInc.com. "It took me three years to get the business out of my system. Withdrawal would be a good way to put it. I got through those three years, and hell, it's been eleven years since I've been in the ring."
Despite his comments, Austin may return if the timing is right and the WWE and Austin would be low key on a return, which could explain his reasoning.
While nothing is set in stone and a lot can change between now and April, the wrestling world still clamors for a Punk vs. Austin match at WrestleMania, and while Austin may have given the impression that he won't be returning, the fact that WWE officials are still talking about it provides enough optimism for any wrestling fan that Stone Cold could possibly return at the biggest wrestling event in history.
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