Why did ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin not appear at WWE WrestleMania 40?

Stone Cold Steve Austin is one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, who had the most successful wrestling career. He is best known for his time during the late 90’s and early 2000’s, when he was dominating the industry like no other. His rivalries with Vince McMahon, The Rock, The Undertaker, Kurt Angle, Triple H, Booker T and Bret Hart elevated his career to a different level.

Although Austin retired from pro-wrestling career, he showed up occasionally for sporadic appearances in major events, especially at WrestleMania. The rumors and reports around WrestleMania 40 suggested that Stone Cold would be making an appearance at the big event, and was even seen on the promotional truck.

There was a huge expectation for him to appear at WrestleMania 40, but he didn’t show up. Now a backstage report on Austin’s absence at WrestleMania 40 has been revealed and also said who replaced him.

Why did Stone Cold Steve Austin miss WrestleMania 40?

Dave Meltzer in the recent edition of Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Steve Austin was actually planned to appear in The Bloodline Rules match, however due to financial disagreement with the company, Undertaker was put in his place.

Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Newsletter said,

“Austin was the person originally earmarked for that spot, but in the end they couldn’t reach a financial agreement and Undertaker was put in his place.”

At WrestleMania Night 2, Roman Reigns defended his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship in the main event in the Bloodline rules match, as a result of the Night 1 tag team main event match. The Championship match started as a traditional match, but the involvement of weapons and interference elevated the match. The match witnessed a total of six interferences including Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, John Cena, Rock & Undertaker.

Steve Austin’s last WWE appearance

Steve Austin’s last WWE appearance was at WrestleMania 38, where he appeared as the Special Guest for the KO Show. The talk show ended in an impromptu No Hold Barred match with Kevin Owens on Night 1 and won the match. On Night 2, Austin showed up after Austin Theory’s match and delivered stunners to Austin Theory, Pat McAfee and Vince McMahon.

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