Report: WWE Had Distant Plans for CM Punk vs. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin WrestleMania Match

Since his rise to main event stardom, there has always been talk of CM Punk facing “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in a main event match at WrestleMania. Austin, whose last match in WWE came at WrestleMania XIX, wasn’t shy about listing Punk as someone who he would come back to face.

However, here in 2014, hopes for the potential match are not too high. Despite rumors about Austin returning to the ring, Austin, himself, has shot them down. Additionally, CM Punk is no longer with WWE after a harsh falling out in January of 2014. Since Punk’s “retirement,” he has found joy outside the squared circle. He married his fiancee, WWE Diva AJ Lee, in June, and has thoroughly followed the Chicago Blackhawks of the NHL.

Even though the dream match may not come to fruition, a recent report by PWInsider shows that WWE may have had distant plans for the colossal encounter. According to the website, WWE really had plans for a Punk vs. Austin match, planning for it as early as WrestleMania in 2012.

At WrestleMania 28, when Punk, the WWE Champion at the time, faced Chris Jericho, WWE made sure to get a specific camera angle of Punk entering the ring. Upon Punk’s signature “it’s clobbering time,” WWE aired a shot of Punk walking to the ring with his back to the camera. The shot was very similar in how WWE would show Austin entering the ring for his appearances. The shot was reportedly filmed to use in promotional material for a Punk vs. Austin match for a much later date. The exact date WWE had in mind is not known.

Below is a screenshot of Punk’s entrance at WrestleMania 28, as shown on the air:

Editor’s Note

Very interesting. It’s a shame the ship has likely sailed for this match. WrestleMania 32 is probably the last possible date for the match, with its chances riding on if Punk will stick to his guns. For me, I believe that Punk will stay retired.