WWE: Steve Austin on His In-Ring Career Being Over, NXT Europe Launch Plans Update, Roman Reigns

Steve Austin Comments on His In-Ring Days Being Over

NBC Los Angeles held a recent interview with WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cole Steve Austin. One of the topics discussed included Austin revealing that his career as an in-ring wrestler is officially done.

“Coming back to do something from time to time is fine, because I love my relationship with WWE, but my days in the ring are done. Although, I did do the main event at WrestleMania last year in Dallas but that was kind of a fluke and we pulled it off,” he said. “It’s good to be back and see some of the faces, but I’ve been gone for a long time and I do not miss it.”

Austin also stated that he has not been contacted by WWE to make an appearance at next month’s WrestleMania 39 event and has been busy working on his new upcoming television show for A&E.

“Man…I’ve just been busy working on this show. I haven’t got a phone call yet and it’s about two weeks away so I don’t expect to be there, but anything can happen.”

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Shawn Michaels on NXT Europe Launch Plans Update

As noted before, WWE has been working on plans to launch a new NXT brand called NXT Europe at some point this year. This upcoming new brand is currently planned to be the official replacement for WWE’s former NXT UK brand.

The Daily Mail held a recent interview with NXT head booker Shawn Michaels. One of the topics discussed included Michaels providing an update on the status of WWE’s launch plans for NXT Europe.

“Things are still in the organizational stage and we are hoping we will have that up and running by the end of 2023.
I’m really learning. It isn’t something you just throw together, especially if you want to set it up for success. I think everyone would feel a bit more comfortable if it takes a little bit longer to make sure we cross every t and dot every i, but still looking forward to trying to make that a reality by the end of 2023.”

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Roman Reigns Reportedly Planned to Take Break from WWE After WrestleMania 39

Roman Reigns reportedly is currently planned to take a break from WWE after next month’s WrestleMania 39 event, according to WrestleVotes.

GiveMeSport’s Louis Dangoor reported that he was recently informed by WrestleVotes that their sources stated that Reigns is currently scheduled to take a “significant break” that could last as long as until this August’s SummerSlam 2023 event in Detroit, Michigan.

🚨 Roman Reigns is expected to take a "significant break" following #WrestleMania, @WrestleVotes tells @GiveMeSport. The belief is that the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion could even be missing until SummerSlam in August.https://t.co/5NIiptZFus

— Louis Dangoor (@TheLouisDangoor) March 21, 2023

In a follow-up report, WrestleVotes reported that their sources stated that Reigns’ break plans are currently contingent on if or when he eventually drops the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. It was also reported that it is currently not known when Reigns will be dropping his title.

Adding to this: I’m told this is contingent on if / when Reigns eventually loses the titles. As of now, those plans are not certain. https://t.co/ZhVALxMdst

— WrestleVotes (@WrestleVotes) March 21, 2023