Real Reason 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin Is Returning To WWE

Austin has turned multiple WWE returns down in the past... so why do it now?

by Andy H Murray
Steve Austin 3:16 Day
WWE.com

'Stone Cold' Steve Austin looks all but certain to return to WWE for what will be his first match in almost 20 years, competing against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38.

News that WWE were working on an Austin match for 'Mania broke earlier in the week. Owens then teased it on Raw, cutting a promo on Austin's home state of Texas and now, it is effectively confirmed.

'Stone Cold' is about to compete in his first match since losing to The Rock at WrestleMania 19, having spurned several opportunities to return to the ring in the past. Why is he opting to do it now, as a 57-year-old in 2022?

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Money.

Per Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the payday for matches like this is far greater than it was before. This is the reason Austin is seemingly coming back for WrestleMania 38.

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As far as Owens goes, he is seen by WWE as somebody who can work a "good" match but still lose, which appears to be the desired outcome on 2/3 April.

WWE is yet to officially confirm Austin vs. Owens itself.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.