Eric Bischoff sees several obstacles to a dream match taking place between CM Punk and Steve Austin.
Last week, it was reported that CM Punk and WWE have discussed the possibility of a match between Punk and Steve Austin, sparking speculation the dream bout could become a reality.
However, Dave Meltzer later poured cold water on the idea on Wrestling Observer Radio, when he revealed that Steve Austin has not been approached by WWE about the match.
Eric Bischoff Questions Whether Steve Austin Wants Another Match
Austin was last in action at WrestleMania 38, where he defeated Kevin Owens in a widely-praised No Holds Barred match in the Night 1 main event. The next night, he delivered Stunners to Austin Theory, Pat McAfee, and, for old times’ sake, Vince McMahon.
On the latest episode of Strictly Business, Eric Bischoff gave his thoughts on the possibility of Austin competing in a full match again, asking whether The Texas Rattlesnake is physically in a place where he would want to.
“Yeah, I mean, I’d be optimistic as well because I love watching Steve, I love his character. He’s just an amazing performer, and he’s got such a great legacy. I would love to see it.
“I question whether Steve’s in a place physically where he wants to get in there and bounce around. Steve is also the kind of guy that doesn’t want to go out there and be less than what people remember him being.
“It’s one thing to go out in a WrestleMania moment for a spot. That’s not a match. I could see Steve getting physical, but a match? A 12-or-15-or-18-minute match that requires give and take?
“I hope Steve’s physically in a place where he feels confident he wants to do that because that would be amazing, but it’s been a minute. So I don’t know. Hey, I hope it happens.”
When it was put to him that Austin could have another bout in the style of his match against Owens, meaning he wouldn’t have to take too many bumps, Bischoff agreed, but once again pointed to the questions around Austin’s health.
“Look, fantasy booking, I agree with you. But I was one of the last matches that Steve had. Without saying too much, Steve was in no position in that point in time to take any kind of a bump. That’s my point.
“If he’s been able to overcome, because it was a neck injury. That’s a serious injury. You’re talking about centimeters of something going wrong. A bump, turning your head too hard, too fast in one direction, whatever. Little things can have significant adverse outcomes.
“So let’s just see. I’ll pray for Steve’s ability to do it because I think it would be so much fun to watch. [The program] would be awesome.”
On a more recent edition of Strictly Business, Eric Bischoff weighed up the pros and cons of holding monthly wrestling pay-per-views.
H/T to Fightful for the above transcription.