Stone Cold Steve Austin: Is One More Match Necessary to Complete His Saga?

Stone Cold Steve Austin, WWE superstar supreme. He has left behind a legacy that is unequaled.

Throughout his career, he has given us some of the greatest matches in the history of the business. From legendary rivalries with other greats like Triple H, The Undertaker and The Rock, Austin established himself as the premier athlete of the 90s. Austin was all attitude, which defined and propelled his career.

The rumor that won't seem to go away is the one about Austin possibly coming back sometime in the future, if not in time for WrestleMania 28, then WrestleMania 29. If Austin did come back, it would make for one of the greatest stories in wrestling history. Who wouldn't want to see the Rattlesnake open up a can of whoop ass on the likes of Randy Orton, Alberto Del Rio and The Miz?

His comeback would bring back a lot of fans who can't stand the PG Era. So is one more match necessary to complete his amazing saga?

No, he doesn't need another match. There are no more stories to tell, no more battles to be won. A former six-time WWE Heavyweight Champion, Austin more than surpassed expectations with his basic black trunks and boots.

A rebel with plenty to bitch about, Austin ended his career at the right time with his last match taking place against The Rock at WrestleMania XIX. Their rivalry was the stuff of legends. How many stars get to go out on those terms like Austin did? Not too many.  

Austin did it all, including becoming a crossover star and a household name. Although it would be intriguing to see how Austin would handle himself against this generation's crop of superstars, it really isn't necessary. I can't think of one wrestler today, other than CM Punk, who would make a worthy opponent for Austin to come back to work with.

I say Punk because of their exchanges back and forth on Twitter. I also say Punk because he is the best in the world right now, with or without the belt. He has also been called the Austin of this generation. If Austin was 100 percent, this match would be a classic.

The question is whether or not Austin has another match in him. We haven't seen Austin in a wrestling ring as an in-ring performer since WrestleMania XIX. That was 2003, almost eight years ago.

He retired in the first place because his body could no longer endure the wear and tear it had already been through for 14 years prior, including a career-threatening injury at the hands of the late Owen Hart. Unless you know something I don't know, Austin would be putting more than his career on the line if he came back for one more match.

There is also his age to consider. At 47 years old, injury-prone, being absent from the ring for so long, what kind of performance could he give us anyway? Would it be the old Austin we miss and want back so badly or would it be an aging performer who is a shell of his former self?

Another match wouldn't do anything for him but would do a lot for the opponent he faces as well as the WWE. So much can be built around the one match and the legend.

Personally, I'd rather remember the Rattlesnake for what he was rather than what he could be today. Memories are best when we have nothing to compare them to. The longer a performer overstays their welcome, the more it cheapens our memories of them and their legacy. Look at Ric Flair and Hulk Hogan.

Austin doesn't need another match to complete his saga. The Stone Cold Steve Austin saga is complete.