WWE 2011: 10 Reasons Why Stone Cold Shouldn't Return to the Ring

With the sudden resurgence of veteran stars in the WWE, there has been much speculation as to who will be the next one to make a triumphant return to the ring.

The Rock is already guaranteed to return; Mick Foley's appearance has been confirmed; Triple H is once again is the spotlight; Kevin Nash has reappeared in the ring; and The Undertaker and Chris Jericho are slated to return at some point in the near future.

This leads to the age old question: Who's next?

Many feel that the most likely choice is that of Stone Cold Steve Austin. And why not? He's still working with the company on their show, Tough Enough, and has made numerous appearances over the past year. Fans all across the Internet Wrestling Community are dying to see the return of "The Texas Rattlesnake" for a fight with CM Punk. Stone Cold has even been rumored to be part of Survivor Series in some capacity. 

There are a number of reasons why Steve Austin shouldn't return to the ring. Here are the top 10:

10. He's Been Away from the Action for Too Long

This argument may be a bit of a stretch, especially considering Austin is in the same position as the Rock in terms of time away from the action, but I felt it needs to be addressed.

Technically speaking, Stone Cold and the Rock have both been away from the ring for about seven years. Both have gone on to make movies. Both have deep roots in the WWE, which has complimented their outside activities greatly. 

While Stone Cold was easily one of the most charismatic superstars to ever come through the WWE—he knew how to put on a great match, no matter who he was facing—he's been out too long.

What makes Rock's return to the ring so exciting is the fact that fans haven't seen him involved in any wrestling activities since his departure. Stone Cold on the other hand, is still technically somewhat of an employee for the company. He shows up every now and then, which does little to build suspense for his reappearance.

"The Texas Rattlesnake" looks to be in great physical condition, but he's also much older than The Rock. Stone Cold is 47 years old while The Rock is 39. The Rock has eight-years-worth of vitality and energy as an advantage; Austin's energy is tapped. 

9. It's a Copycat Scenario

It's no secret how awesome it would be to see Austin return to the ring. If that happens, though, especially in the very near future, Austin might get lost in the crowd.

Two of his biggest career rivals, The Rock and Triple H, have either returned or are about to return to the ring. If Austin were to return around the same time, it would feel too forced, like a copycat job.

Having all three in action again would be a big clue that Vince McMahon is trying to relive the past. These are three of the biggest Attitude Era stars, after all.

But that's not the only glaring mistake Austin would make by returning now.

8. His Character Doesn't Fit Any Storylines

Stone Cold Steve Austin certainly has a very loyal fan base, but in today's story lines there's no room for him.

Triple H still generates a tremendous pop from the crowd every time his music hits; The Rock's return has been hyped since Wrestle Mania. The Rock will only continue to be talked about in the lead up to his encounter with John Cena. 

Where does that leave Austin in all of this? The general consensus is that fans are waiting for him to fight CM Punk in a battle of lifestyles—except that fight can't happen while Punk is working his way up to top dog. 

A return for Austin at this point leaves him with nothing to do. All feuds are established. There's no room for him right now with all the hoopla around Rocky and the Game. 

7. The Punk's Too Busy for a Feud

Stone Cold is the kind of man who should only come back to action if there is probable cause. 

Hypothetically, a feud with Punk would be the easiest story to tell. It fits so well that all management would have to do is allow both men free reign on the mic. 

Except for the fact that now is not the right time for Austin to feud with Punk. WWE is trying too hard to make Punk into the next big thing. A match with Austin would only hurt his climb to stardom. 

While John Cena's feud with The Rock is credible—both men were the top draws in their respective eras—Austin needs a fight with someone who was also a secondary leading man. The Punk is building massive crowd appeal, but has yet to reach the same level of popularity that Austin had in his day.

Given some more time, an Austin feud could have massive implications for the future of Punk. Right now is simply not the right time to battle Austin. 

Austin deserves a feud worth his time. He doesn't have such an opponent right now, maybe not ever.

6. Thinking About His Return Is More Fun

It be more fun to think about Austin return than to actually see it happening. 

If everyone returned that we, the fans, wanted, then every show would be repeat performances of the Attitude Era.

While it is super exciting to see those former stars return once in a while, having Austin return would only signify that the company would rather spend time welcoming back old stars than focusing on the new ones.

The current, young talent is already being buried in favor of vets and this would only make matters worse. 

Plus, if we got to see these guys return whenever we wanted them to, then we lose the wow factor. It's so much more fun when WWE sprinkles in the old stars occasionally, rather than piling them on. 

5. His Style Doesn't Fit the Current Product

This image speaks volumes.

Austin's trademark moments are ones in which he's chugging beer or giving people the finger (right before giving them the Stone Cold stunner). 

These antics are loved by fans; the current style of programming has no room for such behavior. 

I love it as much as anyone when he cracks open a cold one and asks the crowd to give him a "hell yeah!" The WWE's PG rating, though, means that he can only appear every once in a while. 

Even during his special appearances, WWE risks major fines from the FCC for allowing such actions to take place on their program. The possibility of such fines are a major cause for concern.

If Austin were to return to the action, his character would more than likely have to take a hit to preserve the PG rating. 

Having a Stone Cold without beer and two middle fingers is unfathomable.  He just doesn't fit the mold of the company at this point in time.

4. He's Done Enough for WWE

It's rare to find a superstar who left the company at the appropriate time, like Austin did. He knew that his time was up and he stepped aside so that other talents could blossom. 

Austin and Shawn Michaels were the two men who truly knew when it was time to walk away. Both made their final exit after a last, epic performance on the grandest stage of them all, Wrestle Mania. 

There is talk that Austin walked away because he was too scared to face Brock Lesnar. That is most likely a smokescreen for Lesnar's ego. Austin knew he wanted to leave; the timing just happened to coincide with a potential feud with Lesnar. 

Austin has done so much for the WWE as a whole that he deserves to be finished. He shouldn't have to help build the popularity of the company; he helped make the WWE popular enough when he was still around.

He's done enough. We shouldn't expect him to revitalize the organization again. 

3. He Left at the Right Time

Austin had a reason to leave the WWE when he did. 

While The Rock left to make millions in Hollywood, Austin left because it was the proper time and place for him to leave.

Had Austin left under the circumstances The Rock did, then he might want to return and repay the fans for leaving. The Rock is returning now because he left the WWE high and dry without allowing the company a chance to plan for the future.  Austin left when his popularity was dying down and that was the proper time to leave. 

Unlike Rock, Austin doesn't owe the WWE universe anything more than special occasion appearances.

2. Vince McMahon Is No Longer a Main Character

What's Stone Cold Steve Austin without Vince McMahon around to harass him?

Throughout his entire career, Austin's character thrived on the interactions with Vince. Now that Vince has taken a backseat as a power figure, Austin's character development would take a major hit.

Sure, Austin can battle anyone, on the mic or in the ring, but his most memorable moments came when he was battling his boss. 

It was the feud that all average Joes could relate to. A normal guy trying overcome a tyrannical boss (and enjoying the occasional beer at work) is familiar to most men. 

Austin was living the dream by being able to take control at work. 

McMahon has gotten older; he appears to be losing it mentally and is no longer a regular on television. Pitting Austin against an establishment that doesn't revolve around McMahon as the figurehead would be a waste of time.

Austin needs to feud with McMahon and, unfortunately, that can't happen. 

1. It's Time to Move Away from Older Stars

In June, CM Punk spouted off an epic shoot promo. In his promo, he spoke of change. 

Since then, there has been change in the WWE. But it may not be a change for the better. 

Kevin Nash has been running amuck; The Miz and R-Truth are destroying everyone who gets in their way;  Rock is returning to action; Mick Foley is on his way; and Triple H is still around. 

With all of these older stars returning, the focus is off the younger stars. Daniel Bryan has been on a massive losing streak, ever since winning the Money in the Bank briefcase. Wade Barrett has been stuck in a huge rut for months. These are two of the most talented superstars on the roster and, due to all the focus on the older stars, they haven't gotten the respect they deserve. 

Adding Stone Cold into that mix would only further push the younger talent down in terms of gaining respect. The popularity level of The Rock and Stone Cold is such that their return would cause a massive uproar in the WWE wrestling community. 

Younger talent needs to be pushed; the trend of older stars returning is only going to further damage the youth movement. Austin could help put over that young talent. But he shouldn't have to be the one to land on that grenade. 

There You Have It

That's my list of reasons why Stone Cold Steve Austin should not return to the ring.

What do you think? Am I overstepping? Am I right on the money? Am I somewhere in between?

Be sure to let me know in the comment section.

Also, don't forget to check out me and Kevin Berge in our latest edition of Fantasy WWE as we manage Smackdown and try to take down Raw.