We may get one more match from "Stone Cold"...in 2014

FORT WORTH, TX – APRIL 15: Honorary Starter, WWE wrestler

For years now, people have been asking “Stone Cold” Steve Austin if he ever considers coming back for one more match or one more run. For the most part, Austin has always said he’d like to, but physically it was out of the question.

However, in the last couple of years, Austin has really changed his tune on the subject. Thanks to nearly a decade away from the ring and taking a much easier (at least in terms of physically demanding) job as an action movie star, Austin has actually started to feel much better physically, and has really opened up to the idea of another match. He especially started talking about the idea more after he hosted the return of Tough Enough, in which Austin actually got in the ring and bumped around with the contestants. After the show had finished filming, Austin said he actually felt great doing the bumps, and taking them was starting to make him miss wrestling.

Since then, Austin has been really receptive to having another match, and has talked about the possibility many times. When asked who he would like to face if he had just one more match, he has stated time and time again that, without question, he wants his opponent to be current WWE Champion CM Punk. For those that don’t know, Austin is a huge fan of Punk’s work, and has praised the current champion on many occasions. Punk, in response, has stated he has the utmost respect for Austin and would absolutely love to have Austin in a match, likely at an installment of Wrestlemania.

FONTANA, CA – FEBRUARY 21: Actor Steve Austin and Carl Edwards, driver of the #99 Aflac Ford, pose for a photo in the garage area prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Auto Club 500 at Auto Club Speedway on February 21, 2010 in Fontana, California.

Since then, there have been talks of making that match happen, with rumors floating around that there was a good chance it could have happened this year. However, Austin wasn’t ready for it, and Punk wound up facing Chris Jericho for the WWE Championship instead.

There have also been talks about it happening at this coming year’s Wrestlemania, but unfortunately, that is out of the question right now. For those that may not know, Austin recently underwent knee surgery, and it is going to take him a while to completely rehabilitate. In fact, his knee surgery was the reason Austin didn’t show up for RAW 1000, basically stating he didn’t want the fans to see him in knee braces, hobbling down to the ring (contrary to some reports that Austin wasn’t invited/didn’t want to show up; he was originally scheduled to be a part of the show and was definitely planning on it until he needed surgery).

Now, the current plans are for Austin to return at Wrestlemania XXX in 2014 for his final match. Austin has said he will only return for a ‘Mania, and he wants to be in the main event. Although it isn’t official, it’s likely Punk will still be his opponent in what will be a dream match for many fans.