Latest Update On 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin's Physical Status Ahead Of WrestleMania 41 (WWE News)

Fightful Select recently answered a fan's question about the possibility of Steve Austin being there for WWE's hotly anticipated WrestleMania 41 weekend on 19-20 April, and it looks like good news for anyone still retaining hopes that 'Stone Cold' will hand out a stunner or six on either the Saturday or Sunday cards.

The website did note that they "haven't heard of any matches pitched to him as of yet", but did confirm Austin's "going to be in town that week doing photo ops and signings". There was also an update on Steve's current physical state: 'Stone Cold' "had a total knee replacement in December", so Fightful wouldn't be too stunned (ha) to see him do something at 'Mania after all.

Fightful did point out that they don't "always hear" about every single match pitch for guys like Austin, but they had heard before now during previous WrestleMania cycles if something was on the creative table for a legend like Steve. This wasn't included in their write up, but fans are probably looking at Austin poking his nose into the situation between Cody Rhodes, John Cena and The Rock at best.

That'd likely satisfy most, but there will always be a contingent who crave more and want to see 'Stone Cold' lace up the boots one more time for a fully fledged in-ring showing.

Fans Still Crave "One More" Steve Austin Match

Now onto the editorialising bit.

One thing's definitely true: Most were real chuffed with Austin's performance opposite Kevin Owens back at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. The WWE legend entered a solid showing as he and KO brawled all over the place, and there were calls for more Steve goodness in the immediate aftermath. Some even believed he'd take on a role similar to latter day Undertaker by sporadically working a match here or there when able/it made sense.

That hasn't happened at time of writing. We're close to three full years on from 'Mania 38 and Austin hasn't worked another bout. Being honest, he could go another 10 years without doing so and people would still clamour for "one more match". That's understandable given how good Steve looked in 2022.

Fightful reporting that he's healthy and post-knee operation will read differently to select folks. They'll see it as, 'Aw man, Stone Cold is 100% working a match in Las Vegas'. Not so fast. That's almost certainly not going to happen this late in the game, but there's nothing stopping Austin from showing up as a babyface antidote to The Rock's 'Final Boss' character.

Rock will surely get involved in matters between Cody and Cena on night two. If so, then hearing the glass shatter and seeing 'Stone Cold' march/drive to the ring for a stunner isn't out of the question. Hell, he might as well if he's going to be in the area signing autographs anyway.

Over to you, Triple H and the WWE writing team.