What If Stone Cold never retired in 2003?

Generational Clash - WrestleMania 29

Punk was a 'Stone Cold' fan growing up.

When CM Punk sat cross-legged and delivered his now famous ‘Pipe Bomb’ promo, many may not have noticed Punk’s choice of clothing. He wasn’t wearing one of his branded tees. Instead, he donned a ‘Stone Cold’ t-shirt.

The two were ready-made opponents. One was a beer swilling redneck, while the other preached sobriety. The two had a heated discussion in a promotional video for the WWE 2K13 game that had many hoping for a clash.

If Austin were able, the two would have had a match, and it would have been at WrestleMania 29, as Punk was white hot then. There wouldn’t have been a better opponent for Punk then ‘Stone Cold.’ The promos between the two would have been some of the best in wrestling history.

Austin and Punk could have had a long-running feud, but Punk’s insistence on taking time off after that year’s WrestleMania would have scrapped that plan.

After Punk walked out in early 2014, another unconventional superstar who was greatly influenced by Austin would have emerged.