Steve Austin Reveals Where Things Stand on WWE In-Ring Return

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin just got real when it comes to his in-ring future—and while he says he could go again, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.

On the January 6, 2026 episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the Texas Rattlesnake got straight to the point when asked if he could still go inside the squared circle.

“Could I still do it? Yes — and I’m not advocating for anything here. I’m not selling a match, Chris. You asked me — could I? Yes.”

But before fans start fantasy-booking another epic return, Austin quickly tempered expectations: “Would I? Probably not. I’ll say that — but never say never.” Austin opened up about the reality behind his decision. After years of silently enduring the pain, he had a total knee replacement in December 2024. The arthritis had gotten so bad he didn’t even realize how severely it was affecting him — until other people started pointing it out.

“God dang — I was limping around so bad, and I didn’t even know it. People would ask me, ‘What’s wrong?’ and I’d say, ‘What are you talking about?’ They’d say, ‘You’re limping.’ F** — I didn’t know, because I don’t watch myself walk.”

Eventually, the pain and deterioration forced his hand as it kept getting worse to the point he had no choice but to undergo the surgery.

“It kept getting worse because of all the arthritis in there. Finally, last year, I had it replaced. I kept thinking — why didn’t I do this sooner? I was in so much pain. I always wondered what arthritis felt like — man — I found out firsthand. It’s chronic — over years and years — and it’ll change your personality.”

He described how the pain wasn’t just physical — it mentally wore him down. But now, post-surgery, he’s found relief and has embraced staying active in new ways.

“It puts you in a state of mind where you just want relief. To get that relief, come out on the other side, and still be active — that means everything.”

This comes months after Austin’s WrestleMania 41 appearance, where he announced the combined attendance for both nights. While fans were hoping he’d get physical again, Austin explained in an interview with Ariel Helwani back in April 2025 that his body just wasn’t ready.

“I’m feeling really good—I don’t squat anymore, I do Hindu squats as part of my workout, but I’m not even trying to run yet… I’d imagine I’m about 30–35% of full capacity. So I did what I could. Just to be involved in the show and announce the attendance for WrestleMania Night 1 and 2 combined—that was about all I could do.

Earlier in the year, it was like, ‘Hey man, if you want to be there, maybe we can figure you in.’ And I said, ‘Hey man, I’m getting my knee replacement, we’ll see what happens when the time comes.’ The time came, and I just couldn’t do much.”

So while technically Steve Austin could lace up the boots again, it sounds like that iconic “one more match” might just stay a fantasy.

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