WWE Legend Shares His Reservations About Seeing CM Punk Compete Against Dream Opponent: “It’s Been a Minute”

Ever since CM Punk returned to the WWE, he’s all anyone can talk about. Now, with his return, former WWE manager, Eric Bischoff, discussed the probability of a dream match involving CM Punk and Steve Austin at WrestleMania. He was invited to the podcast Strictly Business with host Jon Alba for episode #55 where he discussed the return of CM Punk to WWE. The podcast was streamed on YouTube on December 2nd.

In the podcast, the former WCW owner gave his opinion on the match and stated many reasons for its potential fate. He further expressed concerns over Austin’s health but hoped that the match would happen nonetheless.

Eric Bischoff has doubts over a CM Punk vs. Steve Austin WrestleMania match

As the show was mainly focused upon the return of CM Punk, the possibility of a special match between Steve Austin and CM Punk was discussed too. It was a highly anticipated match during the early 2010s when Punk’s career was shining bright in WWE but the plans were canceled due to Austin’s age and health issues.

Eric Bischoff stated that seeing Austin in a match now is a difficult probability. He said, “I could see Steve getting involved physically, but a match? A 12 or 15 or 18-minute match that requires give and take?” Bischoff was doubtful if Austin could wrestle a match that’s not a squash match.

Bischoff’s doubts over the match stem from his concern for Austin’s health status. He expressed his concern by stating, “I hope Steve’s physically in a place where he feels confident he wants to do that because that would be amazing, but it’s been a minute. So I don’t know. Hey, I hope it happens.”

Austin is 58 years old and retired early due to a neck injury he suffered while wrestling Owen Hart. Though, he wrestled a match against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38, it was under a No DQ stipulation that allowed Austin a safety cushion to perform.

Read more: “Bossing People Around”: Bryan Danielson Confirms Rumors of His Hand in CM Punk’s Infamous Departure From AEW

But there are more reasons why this match may not happen at all.

If not Austin, then who will face CM Punk at WrestleMania?

As mentioned by Bischoff, Austin had previously expressed his interest in being at the top of his game when in the ring. He also wants a compelling storyline heading into a match, a reason why he rejected wrestling Brock Lesnar. Hence, the plans to feature The Texas Rattlesnake were canceled this year.

But who could be a good option for Punk, if not Austin? Many believe that either Seth Rollins or Roman Reigns could be his opponent. However, WrestleMania is a night of uncertainty.

Who do you think should face CM Punk at WrestleMania? Do you want to see a Steve Austin vs. CM Punk match?

Watch this story: ‘Not the Time or the Place’: Tony Khan “Legally” Barred From Speaking About CM Punk’s Return to WWE at Survivor Series WarGames 2023