Image: WWE
Despite what many hope, WWE Hall of Famer and pop culture icon “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s in-ring days are behind him.
During an appearance on Friday’s Pat McAfee Show, Austin was asked whether he ever gets the itch to get back in the ring and still see if he can do it.
As he said several times over the past few years, Austin said that “the time right now is for the younger generation. I leave it to them,” adding, “I’m not looking to get back in the ring anytime in the future.”
The 60-year-old made his long-awaited return at 2022’s WWE WrestleMania 38, competing in a no holds barred match against Kevin Owens — his first in-ring action in 19 years. He underwent total knee replacement surgery in late-2024.
He said a WrestleMania 40 appearance was “close” and said at one point, that he hoped to be at the 41st edition if it made sense.
Austin said he still wonders if he didn’t have a little more to give Owens in that match, but isn’t thinking about returning again. There was talk last year that WWE was optimistic a potential bout against CM Punk was possible.
His WrestleMania 13 match with Bret Hart will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Friday night.
Austin was also asked about the John Cena heel turn and he approves it, later admitting to Michael Cole that his own attempt to turn heel “didn’t need to happen.”
