At WrestleMania 40 on Sunday, The Undertaker made an unexpected visit to help Cody Rhodes defeat Roman Reigns. Fans, however, believed Steve Austin ought to have been present instead, and it has finally been made clear why he wasn’t.
When Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns engaged in a high-stakes bout for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, the entire event came to a head. The “Bloodline Rules” requirement increased the strain and unpredictability of Rhodes’s ordeal, which is also referred to as the “American Nightmare.”
Steve Austin’s Absence Explained
A tense scene was created throughout the match when The Final Boss applied a Rock Bottom to John Cena as tensions were rising. Lincoln Financial Field was filled with the recognizable sound of The Undertaker’s gong at that moment.
Darkness descended into the arena as The Undertaker made his presence known. He delivered a chokeslam to The Rock and quickly vanished, leaving the audience stunned.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin was reportedly in talks with WWE to work in some capacity throughout the WrestleMania 40 weekend, although he was never present at the event.
It was mentioned by Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Austin was going to take The Undertaker’s place, but it didn’t work out since they couldn’t come to a financial arrangement.
“When Undertaker’s gong struck, he choke-slammed Rock, eliminating him. Austin was the first choice for that position, but Undertaker was sent in to replace him since they were unable to come to a financial arrangement.”
Financial constraints prevented The Texas Rattlesnake from attending WrestleMania this year, so we will have to wait and see if they make an appearance. However, admirers certainly missed Steve Austin at the Show of Shows.