Does CM Punk Really Need to Turn to Wrestle Steve Austin at WrestleMania?

2011 is almost done.

This year had its ups and downs, but from the look of it right now, there couldn't be any better way to end it than having Daniel Bryan and CM Punk as your World Champions.

They have been on a roller coaster rides all year, and finally there can be the words "wrestling" and "wrestler" associated with WWE as things once were. 

Now, the road to WrestleMania can officially begin. Here's hoping the title scene won't change too much from here until April 1.

WWE Champion CM Punk has turned things around this year and for the better. How many times have there been postings, articles and requests for change? Long have there been demands to put the Straightedge Superstar at the top of the mountain.

It happened...now what?

At WrestleMania XXVIII, the WWE has a dream match in place between The Rock and John Cena. Here's hoping it will live up to and exceed expectations to the point it blows the roof off of the Miami stadium. Superstars and fans alike deserve nothing more than the best show on Earth.

However, what if there was another dream match we could see someday? How would everyone react to the announcement?

This is reference to CM Punk taking on the legendary Hall of Famer and pro-wrestling Icon, Stone Cold Steve Austin.

According to an interview the former champion had with Arda Ocal on TheScore.com's AftermathRadio, Steve Austin says he is open to the possibility of returning to the ring for one final, ultimate performance and it seems like CM Punk would be the chosen one.

Does he feel that there could be one more match inside of him still? Possibly stepping in the ring against CM Punk at a future Wrestlemania: "If it was the right time, right place could I do it (have one more match). Yeah. I got a lot of respect for the kid (CM Punk), love the promos he cuts, love his work in the ring. He's a guy that paid his dues, worked his way to top guy status, and I wish him all the best in the world. It's a weird situation right now because he's a babyface and I think he became a babyface too soon, and I would have liked to work him when he was a heel. It comes down to money and what's on the table."

Sources: thescore.com and Lordsofpain.net

The interview can be checked out here.

This is huge news!

A match between them would be equally as significant as the Rock-Cena encounter and could very well surpass it since Austin is not as tied down by other projects as The Great One. There would surely be more time for them to prepare something spectacular.

Stone Cold does point out however that CM Punk turned face and that could pose a problem for him but is open for discussion.

The question remains: Does CM Punk really have to be a heel to work with Steve Austin?

Not really.

They have such a huge fan base and volatile personality it would be hard to imagine either one being booed right now. Even when Punk was a heel people cheered for him so it's all about the promos and build-up.

Fans can make up their own minds on who they wish to rally behind so in the end, both CM Punk and Stone Cold would have to steer the story in whatever direction they choose and we would just be along for the ride.

A side note...this could have been an incredible program at the time of the Straightedge Society. When Punk was playing the deluded "savior" of mankind, all he deserved was a good old Stone Cold Stunner" in the center of the ring.

Now, it would probably be the best mic work the company has ever seen. We could definitely go for more of that right now.

Maybe it can happen next year at WrestleMania XXIX. There is no better place that could handle a showdown of that magnitude and the Texas Rattlesnake deserves nothing less than to have his curtain call against the "best in the world" on the grandest stage of them all.

The legend is still in great shape and wouldn't have to prove anything to anyone while CM Punk could have the one match of his career that we would talk about for years and years.

It's a win-win for everyone.

What a treat the fans would receive. Two years of galactic matches in a row. 

One thing is for sure...CM Punk will not open up a can of beer to celebrate at the end of the night.