WWE: CM Punk and Stone Cold Steve Austin's Potential Wrestlemania 28 Showdown?

CM Punk is arguably the hottest commodity in wrestling right now. His stock has never been higher, and going into this weekend’s pay per view, there are endless debates raging as to what will happen next.

Perhaps a dream match is in Punk’s future?

It’s no secret that there has been heat between CM Punk and Stone Cold Steve Austin in recent months, leading many fans to speculate if a future confrontation is in the works for both Superstars.

Granted, the heat is most likely manufactured, as is often the case in the business, but it does raise an interesting scenario. The Straight Edge Superstar against The Rattlesnake. One man’s clean living philosophy versus another man’s bare fisted, alcohol-fueled lifestyle.

It is a classic case of two complete opposites coming together to make magic in the ring. It has happened a lot over the years, and when executed properly with the right workers in place, it can prove to be a memorable money making opportunity for all involved.

The best example of this lies with two of the all time greats, Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes.

Ric was a ladies’ man, custom made from head to toe, wearing expensive suits, Rolex watches, and alligator shoes. His limousine riding, jet flying lifestyle placed him in the upper echelon in terms of status and how the fans viewed him. When Ric Flair entered the room, he commanded attention, and respect because of who he was, and how he lived.

Dusty Rhodes was an everyman, wearing denim jeans and a flannel shirt. He was of the people, a working class stiff who was living his dream. He loved his country and was loyal to his friends and fans.

When Dusty entered the room, he was just one of the guys, but commanded respect because he never placed himself above anyone else and fought the “good fight” for the fans who loved him.

Every time they touched in the ring, it was gold. Fans could not get enough of their matches, and it worked on so many levels that it has since become the archetype for what a successful feud is.

Bret Hart was traditional wrestling at its finest. He represented the old school way of thinking, with solid family values and morals to back up his personal beliefs in right and wrong. His thought process was very black and white, right versus wrong, and good versus evil.

Shawn Michaels was young, brash, and outspoken. He played by his own rules, and refused to be told what to do. He was arrogant, conceited, and supremely self confident. He did what he wanted, when he wanted to do it.

This feud, much like Dusty and Ric, did big business and provided a wealth of storylines that brought fans to the arena, and to their feet.

The prospect of Punk versus Austin is made all the more intriguing by the fact that they are products of their times.

Austin, with his beer drinking, hell raising ways, was right at home during the Attitude era of WWE. His character more than fit the times, and WWE was all about pushing the envelope, in an effort to gain ratings and win over WCW.

In contrast, Punk does not drink, does not smoke, and even when in heel mode, typically is reserved in the ring, except for the occasional sneak attacks from Nexus.

WWE is operating in what many refer to as the PG era, where the focus is not on racy storylines or ultra violent behavior. Punk, though quite capable of existing in either environment, fits quite well in the current WWE.

In a recent interview with GQ.com, Punk discussed the possible match-up with Austin, adding more fuel to the fire.

“I think the biggest match any wrestling company can do right now is CM Punk versus Stone Cold Steve Austin. I’ve thought that since I was 15. I’m straight edge. I don’t drink. I don’t do drugs. I don’t smoke. And that is the perfect protagonist or antagonist to Stone Cold Steve Austin, depending on how you want to spin it. It writes itself.”

Combine this with their recent history, and Punk wearing a Stone Cold T-shirt on RAW, and yes, perhaps the groundwork, however unlikely, is being laid for a big time match.

Wrestlemania 28 will feature The Rock versus John Cena. But, if CM Punk versus Steve Austin goes down, it will give the first match a serious run for its money.