10 Problems Stone Cold Will Never Admit About WrestleMania 32 Return

6. Fan Backlash

Make no mistake about it: Stone Cold Steve Austin is as popular a WWE Superstar as there ever has been. He fueled the Attitude Era, captivated fans with his antihero persona and sold millions of Austin 3:16 t-shirts. But that was when he was at the height of his popularity. While fans still love him and greet him with thunderous ovations every time he steps inside a squared circle, they would not hesitate to criticize him much in the same way the criticize his fellow all-time greats whenever they crowd the main event, thus preventing current stars from headlining pay-per-views. Fans WANT to see Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and the rest of the roster develop into stars. It makes for a much funner, more interesting and entertaining product when there are numerous stars the viewer can watch and invest themselves in each week. So when Superstars of the past take opportunities away from the younger talent, fans become defensive and lash out against WWE for reverting to stars of yesteryear rather than putting their focus on developing the men and women on its roster. The backlash may not be quite as strong for Austin, who gave everything he had to the industry and walked away only when his body could no longer take it, but it will be there and that might not be something the Texas Rattlesnake is prepared for.