On a recent edition of his “Hall Of Fame” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T reacted to reports of people in WWE wanting to see CM Punk wrestle Steve Austin following Punk’s return to the company at Survivor Series: WarGames 2023.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On whether he would’ve wanted to see someone start a feud with CM Punk in his return promo: “That’s wrestling 101. That’s something we would expect. I don’t know, for me, I wouldn’t want to jump the gun too soon. We got him here. Let’s see where this thing goes. Let’s start slowly. That’s what I would think about first, just because of history. There again, everything is a test all the time in this business. For me anyway, that’s the way I’ve always looked at it. Everything is always a test. Of course, that would have sparked the interest of the internet immediately.”
On a potential CM Punk vs. Steve Austin match: “When I hear stuff like that, of course, it’s something that people [would] pay to see. People [would] definitely tune in to see something like that. But Steve Austin, 58, 60 years old now, somewhere around there. And people got to be realistic. I don’t think Steve Austin is going to be the new Undertaker, okay. Just because Steve Austin is just as old as The Undertaker. We all are, it’s like the movie life. Hell, we all got old. So now I don’t see Steve Austin sitting at home at 58, 60 years old, whatever it is… thinking about a match at all. What did I just say about the boys? It was a check out there. You’re going to go pick it up and say that for the guys that are able to go pick it up. I’m saying it’s just like myself. I’m not going to think about booking myself in a match or anything like that.
“People say, I always say, ‘Man, they booked me in Saudi. I’ll go pick that check-up.’ But I really I would have to fight — really, really struggle to fight with myself to even think about doing something like that because I know what I can do to my body. One match, just climbing through those ropes, one match when it’s something that you’re not doing on a regular basis, it’s not something that you should be thinking about doing ever. This is a young man’s game now. The thought of seeing Punk and Stone Cold Steve Austin in the middle of the ring doing business? Man, that’s great money, man. We can make some money out of this deal. Yeah, we can make some money out of it. But money, at the end of the day, none of that can help you when you’re in dire straits.”
On Austin not thinking about the match: “And me personally, I just don’t see Steve Austin being at home thinking about having a match. Or does it have to be WrestleMania anywhere? That’s just me, I could be wrong. And you know what? We in this business, we never say never. It’s just not the way we think. It’s just not in our blood, in our DNA. It’s just not the way we do things. So I’m not going to put it past us. Steve Austin again in some capacity. I’m not going to do that at all. But me personally, I know the internet is buzzed about Steve Austin and Punk, but me personally. If I know Steve Austin, I just don’t think he’s at home thinking about what he and Punk going to do in a match. You know, when it finally comes around, I just don’t see it.”
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The wrestling world has been buzzing with excitement ever since CM Punk made his return to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames 2023. Fans and industry insiders alike have been speculating about potential dream matches for Punk, with one of the most talked-about scenarios being a showdown between Punk and Stone Cold Steve Austin. However, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared his thoughts on the matter, providing some interesting insights.
Booker T, on his “Hall Of Fame” podcast, discussed the idea of someone starting a feud with CM Punk in his return promo. He expressed caution, suggesting that it might be best to take things slow and see where Punk’s return leads. Booker T emphasized the importance of testing the waters and not rushing into big storylines right away.
Regarding the possibility of a CM Punk vs. Steve Austin match, Booker T acknowledged that it would undoubtedly be a highly anticipated event that fans would pay to see. However, he also pointed out the realities of age and physical limitations. Steve Austin is currently in his late 50s or early 60s, and it’s unlikely that he would be able to perform at the same level as he did during his prime. Booker T stressed the importance of being realistic and not expecting Austin to become the new Undertaker, who wrestled well into his 50s.
Booker T further explained that he doesn’t believe Steve Austin is actively considering a match at this stage in his life. He compared it to his own mindset, stating that he wouldn’t think about booking himself in a match either. Wrestling is a physically demanding profession, and performing in a match after a long hiatus can be risky for one’s health. Booker T emphasized that wrestling is now a young man’s game and that the thought of seeing Punk and Austin in the ring together might be tempting from a financial standpoint, but it’s essential to prioritize one’s well-being.
While Booker T acknowledged the buzz surrounding a potential match between Punk and Austin, he personally doesn’t see Austin sitting at home and actively thinking about it. He believes that wrestlers, including Austin, don’t typically dwell on future matches or dream scenarios. However, he also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the wrestling business and the never-say-never mentality that comes with it.
In conclusion, the idea of CM Punk facing off against Stone Cold Steve Austin is undoubtedly intriguing and would generate significant interest among fans. However, Booker T’s insights shed light on the practical considerations involved, such as age and physical limitations. While it’s always exciting to speculate about dream matches, it’s essential to prioritize the well-being of the wrestlers involved. Only time will tell if a match between Punk and Austin will ever come to fruition, but for now, fans can continue to enjoy Punk’s return and the exciting storylines that unfold in WWE.