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WWE Hall of Famer 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin confirmed will be at WrestleMania 38, though it remains unclear in what capacity.
Austin -- whose last match came against Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson at WrestleMania 19 in 2003 -- responded to Kevin Owens' challenge issued during Monday's (March 7) episode of RAW following weeks of Owens disrespecting the legendary wrestler's native state of Texas, where the event will be held at AT&T Stadium next month.
“19 years ago I wrestled my last match in a WWE ring. After three Rock Bottoms, 1-2-3, I lost the match. And for 19 years, I’ve had to live with that defeat, knowing my time was up," Austin said via CagesideSeats.com. “Kevin Owens, I want to thank you. I want to thank you for waking something up deep inside me that I’ve kept buried for 19 years. Ever since you started running that mealy mouth of yours taking about the state of Texas — the great state of Texas! — you got my attention.
“Why would you want to do that, Kevin? I can think of two reasons. One: You are one dumb son of a b***h. And two: You are fixin’ to get your a** kicked by Stone Cold Steve Austin.
“Whether you want to call this ‘The KO Show’, a match, a fight, a brawl — whatever. I’m gonna guarantee you this: In Dallas, Texas, where I started my career, at WrestleMania, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin is gonna open up one last can of whoop a** on you, Kevin Owens.
“And that’s the bottom line, cause Stone Cold said so.”
Owens has baited Austin with insults directed at the state of Texas for weeks, but never directly addressed him until Monday night.
"I am calling you out...'Stone Cold' Steve Austin," Owens said before throwing down a microphone, not specifying, however, whether the challenge was for a match.
Several wrestling media websites reported that Austin was contacted by WWE to work an angle with Owens, despite having been forced to retire from in-ring competition due to a neck and multiple knee injuries.
The 'Texas Rattlesnake' has, however, made several appearances for WWE over the years, giving numerous individuals the 'Stone Cold Stunner' during segments, which included an appearance at WrestleMania 32, the last time the event was held in Texas.