The Great Muta recently revealed in an interview with ESPN’s Marc Raimondi that he tried to secure The Rock for his farewell match, but it didn’t work out due to financial reasons. The Pro Wrestling Noah executives and The Great Muta himself had reportedly courted The Rock earlier this year for a dream bout. Muta expressed his desire to face The Great One, but the match couldn’t materialize.
“I asked Muto about the report he was trying to get The Rock as his last match. He nodded and said, in English with a smile, “too expensive.”
The Rock is still a popular name in the wrestling industry despite not having competed in a proper wrestling match in a long time. Meanwhile, The Great Muta will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2023 during the WrestleMania 39 week.
Stone Cold Steve Austin has made it clear that he will not be returning to the ring for WrestleMania 39 or any other future wrestling matches. Despite WWE’s attempts to pitch opponents such as Brock Lesnar, LA Knight, and Roman Reigns, Austin has turned down the idea of a comeback.
In an interview with NBC Los Angeles, Austin stated that he retired from wrestling in 2003 and has since moved on to other ventures such as working with Kawasaki motor sports and being in the beer business. While he enjoys his relationship with WWE and may make occasional appearances, his days in the ring are over.
“You have to understand that I retired in 2003, so it’s been a long time, so I’m over it. But when I walked away from the business of sports entertainment, I endeavored into other things; I work with Kawasaki motor sports on the side by side division, I’m in the beer business, and I do other things. 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. 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 did make a surprise appearance at WrestleMania 37 in Dallas for the main event, but he described it as a “fluke” and expressed that he does not miss being in the ring.
