🔥 Steve Austin Finally Reveals the Real Reason Kevin Owens Was His Last WWE Opponent—And It Wasn’t the Stunner
Few moments in modern WWE history felt as surreal as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin stepping back into the ring at WrestleMania 38. After nearly two decades away, the Texas Rattlesnake shocked the world by wrestling one final match — and the man standing across from him was Kevin Owens.
Now, Austin has opened up about why Owens was handpicked for what was billed as his final in-ring performance, and the truth goes much deeper than fans may have realized.
Why WrestleMania 38 Was “Now or Never” for Steve Austin
Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Austin explained that his decision to return wasn’t random — it was personal, emotional, and perfectly timed. The biggest factor? Dallas, Texas.
According to Austin, Vince McMahon personally flew down to meet him and pitch the idea. The location instantly clicked.
Dallas is where Austin’s journey began. Dallas is where it would end.
That setting alone made WrestleMania 38 feel like the right stage for one last fight.
Why Kevin Owens Was Chosen — And Why WWE Trusted Him
When it came to choosing an opponent, Austin made one thing crystal clear: Kevin Owens was selected because WWE trusted him completely.
Austin admitted that when a few names were discussed, Owens stood out immediately — not because of the Stunner, but because of his skill, safety, and professionalism.
Austin praised Owens as one of the best all-around performers in the business, highlighting his promo ability, ring awareness, and reliability. In Austin’s words, Kevin Owens is a future WWE Hall of Famer, making him the perfect choice for such a historic match.
Simply put: If Stone Cold was going to risk his body one last time, it had to be someone WWE believed in 100%.
The Reality of Wrestling After 19 Years Away
Despite the massive crowd and electric atmosphere, Austin admitted the comeback wasn’t easy.
He revealed that legends like Triple H, Hulk Hogan, and The Undertaker warned him about the biggest challenge of returning after such a long break: timing and conditioning.
And they were right.
Austin confessed that he felt the effects of ring rust quickly and “blew up” during the match due to lack of in-ring reps. Looking back, he wishes he had slowed things down and soaked in the moment more instead of rushing through parts of the match.
The Chilling WrestleMania 38 Entrance Moment
One of the most surprising revelations was Austin’s entrance experience.
Walking into AT&T Stadium, Austin said the acoustics made it difficult to fully hear the crowd — something that felt strange for a performer so deeply connected to fan reactions. Still, when the moment hit, the response was undeniable.
The roof may not have physically come off the building — but emotionally, it absolutely did.
Does Steve Austin Have One More Match Left?
At 61 years old, Austin didn’t hesitate when asked if he could still wrestle.
He believes he can.
As for whether he will? Austin downplayed the possibility — but famously added those two dangerous words wrestling fans love to hear: “Never say never.”
A Perfect Ending — With a Few Regrets
Steve Austin defeated Kevin Owens in a No Holds Barred match on April 2, 2022, marking his first bout in 19 years. While he stands by the opponent, the location, and the moment, Austin admits he wishes he had been better prepared — especially for Owens’ sake.
Even legends, it turns out, don’t walk away without second thoughts.
What do you think?
Was Kevin Owens the perfect final opponent for Stone Cold Steve Austin? And do you believe we’ll ever see Austin wrestle one more time? Share your thoughts in the comments 👇
