Steve Austin Says He Misses Wrestling, But Won’t Return to the Ring

Stone Cold Steve Austin says he has no plans to wrestle again, even though he occasionally misses the atmosphere that comes with performing in front of a live crowd. The WWE Hall of Famer addressed the topic during a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio as part of the annual March 16 fan celebration commonly known as 3:16 Day.

Speaking with hosts Dave LaGreca and Bully Ray, Austin confirmed that his match against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38 remains his final in-ring appearance. The bout took place in 2022 and marked Austin’s first match in nearly two decades.

Austin said he still appreciates that fans occasionally ask about a return:

“I still get asked about having a match every here and there and when I had that match with Kevin Owens a couple of years ago, they would have sent me down a ring so I could have got some timing and some wind and a lot of things so I could have a better match with Kevin Owens, but, yeah, and I’m done. I mean, I could go out and do something. I’m not lobbying to do that… I guess it’s cool that people would still and there’s a lot of people that don’t so, the fact that people are still like, ‘Hey man, it would be cool to see him do something,’ I guess it’s an honor… I was never the chosen one. If you line me up against the wall with all the other WWE Superstars at the time, I was 6’1 before I was 6’2  before I got dropped on my head a bunch, and with that straggly a** blonde hair I had. I was never the chosen one that, ”hey man, this guy’s gonna lead the industry one of these days. Cut off my hair, and grew a goatee, and it turned into something so, I was just happy the way it happened and glad that people could remember me.”

However, he explained that he is not interested in preparing for another full match. While he sometimes misses the excitement of major wrestling moments, he stressed that his decision not to return to the ring is firm.

“It’d be to go back for one of those moments. Not a match itch. I got a left knee replacement a little over a year ago, and God dang, my leg feels good. I’m glad I got it done. But, yeah, I get the itch for certain moments, but to try to do a match? No.”

Austin noted that a knee replacement surgery has improved his mobility and reduced the discomfort he experienced for years after retiring from regular competition. Even with the physical improvement, he said it does not change his view about returning to active wrestling.

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An ICONIC entrance for an ICONIC Legend. Happy #316Day! 🍻 💀@steveaustinBSR pic.twitter.com/q1jmhp3eFb

— WWE (@WWE) March 16, 2026