Stone Cold Steve Austin‘s return to the ring at WrestleMania 38 was one of the most anticipated and exciting moments in recent WWE history. After nearly two decades since his last official match, Austin returned to action at WWE’s biggest event, giving fans an unforgettable experience.

Since then, WWE has established that feeling that anything is possible and Austin is no stranger to it. In a recent interview, the former world champion revealed why he wasn’t a part of WrestleMania 40 despite all the rumors. The Texas Rattlesnake also hinted at the possibility of wrestling again, this time at the 41st edition of WrestleMania that will take place next year in Las Vegas.

He said, “Oh, it was close to me. Certainly, they certainly reached out to me. We had conversations. But my wife and I had some things going on that I didn’t need to go to Philly at that time. But I have said I miss I miss that mania. And, you know, God dang, Philly was a good town for me back in the day. And I appreciate those fans. Couldn’t make it down on that one. But WrestleMania this year is in Vegas. And I was doing an interview a while back, and I said, Hey, man, and that’s 400 miles. That’s, you know, that’s like right here where we’re sitting right now. And so, but anyway, it’ll be in Vegas. So I hope to be there this year.”

Austin is now focused on an off-road buggy racing event in Nevada and says he’s reluctant to leave the state. However, he noted that WrestleMania next year will be held in Las Vegas paving the way for a potential appearance.

Steve Austin, one of the most iconic superstars of WWE’s Attitude Era, officially retired from active competition in 2003 because of a series of injuries, especially issues related to his neck and knees. Since then, he has appeared sporadically in WWE in non-competitive roles, primarily as a broadcaster or special referee, though he became an active wrestler again at WrestleMania 38. So now fans want to see him in the ring again. But who could he face? Well, it seems like a future WWE Hall of Famer is all geared up to go against the Texan.

CM Punk wants to face Stone Cold Steve Austin

CM Punk returned to WWE last year but did not get the chance to wrestle at WrestleMania 40 because of the triceps injury he suffered in January. Therefore, all the matches dreamed of by fans for Punk at an event like this are still on the table. And, with a rival from the past like The Rock having been heavily involved in WrestleMania 40 and its entire build, questions have arisen whether a second match between them would be possible.

During this weekend’s Fanatics Fest convention in New York, CM Punk and many other WWE Superstars made appearances. It was during this appearance that the Best in the World revealed that he would like to face both the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin on the two nights of WrestleMania 41. He said, “Sign me up. They were asking me about Steve Austin over there. WrestleMania is two nights. Give me Steve one night, give me Rock on Night Two, let’s go!”

In fact, he even called out Steve Austin by saying, “That would be up to Steve. It’s not up to me, because I think he had a pretty good return, main event WrestleMania. At this point, his six shooters might be buried in the desert. But if he wants to dig ’em up, I’m your Huckleberry. It should have happened 10+ years ago; if he wants to go to sleep, he can call me.” Prior to CM Punk’s injury at the Royal Rumble, the plan was for him to face Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, but Steve Austin’s name came to be mentioned internally in WWE as a possibility. So what do you think? Will this dream match come to fruition? Let us know in the comments.