Jim Ross Addresses Rumors Of Stone Cold Steve Austin Returning To WWE

On a recent episode of his podcast, “Grilling JR,” Jim Ross discussed a report by WrestleVotes that Stone Cold Steve Austin has been in discussions for a return to WWE in the near future. It’s unclear whether it will be a one-off appearance or if he plans to wrestle again. Here are the highlights:

On What Austin Will Do:

“Whatever the hell he wants to do. That’s not a good answer for this audience. But he has the freedom — creative freedom — to do whatever the hell he wants. And he has earned that right, in my opinion. If anybody has earned the right to work their way in and work their way out or make an appearance here or there, it’s Stone Cold.”

On Austin’s Impact:

“I’ve been watching a lot of Facebook videos, and I’ve been enjoying the hell out of them. But unless you go back and retrace ones steps, it’s hard to believe that what an impact he had during his heyday. He was as responsible, if not more responsible than anybody on our roster. He became a star. I mean, when you have a star like Austin, who didn’t mind helping get other guys over like Rock. Rock has gone on to do amazing things, but his rub and his rivalry, his program with Rock was a deal-maker. That was big, and Rock got a great rub.”

On Austin’s Future:

“It’s hard to say. But I can promise you that whatever is decided, Steve will have blessed it. Because he’s just not — he didn’t need the money. You know, I thought WrestleMania was viable because, you know, Steve’s living in Nevada. So that gives me pause to say, ‘Well maybe he’s gonna get a big payday and and help with the promotion of WrestleMania.’ He’s very loyal, and I admire him for that. But he’s been in the business long enough where he knows what he wants to do and he knows what he doesn’t want to do.

“So it seems like where there’s smoke, there’s fire as the old expression goes. But WrestleMania seems logical, and it seems real. So let’s all stay tuned and wait and see. He would add to the mystique of the build-up to the event. Based on how WWE promotes the Royal Rumble, you can’t just go out there and throw out 30 names. You can, but what’s it mean? So I can tell you this. If Steve returns for a for a one-off, or a push to the Royal Rumble, then I say it will be good. And he will help sell pay-per-views. If you’re a Stone Cold fan from the Attitude Era and so forth, and you know he’s not going to come out there and shake hands and bullshit. There’ll be some physicality. He’s not fragile. But just like I would you, I support anything he does. And I hope that he, a guy like him deserves fun and happiness. And he can damn sure get that putting those black boots on.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit the Grilling JR podcast with an h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.

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