Steve Austin is confirmed to be in Las Vegas for WrestleMania 42 week, and with his racing commitments keeping him away from the March 16 Raw in San Antonio, the question now shifts to exactly how WWE plans to use him on the grandest stage.
With Danhausen’s role at the event also yet to be revealed, here are five ways WWE could make the most of both men across WrestleMania weekend.
Cold Open with Kevin Owens
Austin himself acknowledged the infamous ATV moment at WrestleMania 41, where he accidentally crashed into the barricade while attempting to circle the ring on a four-wheeled vehicle. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Austin called the moment “sh***ing the bed” on the grandest stage of them all.
A redemption arc of sorts could be built around that exact mishap. WWE could open one of the two nights with a cold open segment revealing Austin and Kevin Owens riding ATVs together through the Nevada desert ahead of the show, playing into Austin’s real-life passion for off-road racing while also reuniting one of the more beloved pairings in recent WrestleMania history. The Las Vegas crowd would almost certainly give both men a thunderous welcome, and it would set the tone for a fun night before a single match takes place.
Tag Team with Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll’s interactions on SmackDown have put him on what appears to be a collision course with The Miz, with reports suggesting Kit Wilson could be added to Miz’s side. If that match comes together, the door opens for Jelly Roll to need a tag team partner, and there may be no better candidate than Austin.
A tag team pairing between Jelly Roll and Stone Cold would be one of the more marketable moments WWE could produce at WrestleMania. The mainstream press coverage alone would be significant, and the comedic chemistry between the two could make for an entertaining and crowd-pleasing bout against Miz and Wilson without asking too much physically of Austin.
Catalyst for Sami Zayn’s Heel Turn
Zayn has been showing signs of a potential heel turn in recent weeks, and WrestleMania could be the place where he fully crosses that line. One way to make that moment land with maximum impact would be to have Zayn direct his frustrations at a beloved returning legend. A vicious attack on Austin during a WrestleMania segment would instantly position Zayn as one of the most hated heels on the roster overnight.
That act of disrespect could then set the stage for a returning hero to step up in Austin’s defense. Chris Jericho, frequently discussed as a potential WWE return, would arrive to a babyface reception before his natural arrogance takes over, creating a compelling program between two of wrestling’s most entertaining talkers.
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Co-Host with Danhausen
If both Austin and Danhausen were to serve as concurrent hosts for WrestleMania 42, the results could be both hilarious and genuinely memorable. Austin could anchor himself in one of the premium On Location suites, providing color commentary and interacting with fans between matches, while Danhausen spends the weekend on a quest to track Austin down.
Sending Danhausen through a series of backstage encounters with WWE stars and event sponsors along the way would give WWE a fun recurring bit woven throughout the broadcast that rewards fans who are paying close attention.
Stone Cold Open Challenge
Rather than a match, Austin could host his own open challenge of a completely different variety. Pitting some of NXT’s rising stars against one another in a series of random challenges throughout the weekend would serve dual purposes, giving newer talent a moment on the main roster stage while adding some levity to the show.
Paired with event sponsors, the possibilities are genuinely endless. A wing eating contest, a Broken Skull IPA chugging competition, or any number of other absurd formats would fit the spirit of the Texas Rattlesnake perfectly and remind fans why Austin remains one of the most entertaining personalities WWE has ever produced.
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