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| Edited By: Pranav Joshi |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Sep 29, 2017, 05:28 PM IST
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has reported that WWE megastar Stone Cold Steve Austin might make a return to WWE television very soon, and has hinted that he might be around for quite a while this time.
The trigger for this prediction is that there has been a sudden order from the WWE to produce Steve Austin's merchandise in huge numbers. This hints towards a possible return, and for more than a single night. That is unless WWE simply wants to make up for loss of revenue due to injuries to major stars, by pushing Austin's merchandise heavily.
Steve Austin has outsold most wrestlers in the history of professional wrestling. His Austin 3:16 shirt is still the best selling piece of merchandise in the history of the company. During his famous run from 1997 to 2002, Stone Cold sold more merchandise overall than anyone else, including the Rock.
If Stone Cold were truly to return to the WWE for a while, he could ideally be inserted into several main-event feuds. While Austin's neck injuries forced him to retire way back in 2003, he has since said that they have healed completely. Austin has also evinced interest in having one more match should he get the right event, opponent and pay.
Stone Cold's character has always been that of an anti-corporate rebel who even gets physical with authority to achieve his goals. A longer-term role could perhaps be to use him as the fan favourite foil to the on-screen COO Triple H. He could become an authority figure himself to challenge HHH's unpopular tactics. However, this feud runs the risk of becoming bigger than the upcoming stars in the company. Perhaps he could help Daniel Bryan fight against the Authority and regain his title.
It isn’t just Austin merchandise that WWE are plugging though. They’ve also been consistently pushing his podcast, encouraging viewers to tune in. This is the first time WWE has publicly acknowledged and even promoted a superstar's own show, so it means something big.
Austin could also help push up the struggling RAW ratings and increase interest in a show that has struggled of late given the loss of major stars like Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns and CM Punk.
Austin's last appearance was at Wrestlemania 30 in April where he had an in-ring segment with the Rock and Hulk Hogan, coming out to a massive ovation. Perhaps WWE would be much better having him on screen in an active role for a while.
