5 modern-day Dream Matches Stone Cold Steve Austin could have had

On March 16th for most, it would simply be a typical day. A day that comes before St. Patrick's day and one that often is filled with slowly change from Winter to Spring. In professional wrestling circles, March 16th has become known as 3:16 Day. A day dedicated to WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin. After Austin retired in 2003, many have wondered if he would ever return to the ring. While he has kept to that retirement, it hasn't stopped that speculation from happening.

Over the course of the last decade and a half, wrestling fans have wondered what if he came back, who should he face? The wonderful thing about wrestling is his influence is evident today and who he would face today are active competitors in the world of major and independent promotions. Who are five dream matches that would work today with the Texas Rattlesnake?

#5 Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Mance Warner

When comprising a list of dream matches for Stone Cold Steve Austin, it isn't just about where he should have them but rather with whom. The Southern Psychopath is the 2020s incarnate of Austin. His southern drawl and desire to fight is reminiscent of what Austin would want to do. Warner doesn't much care for authority and will take his fighting words and put them into action. Warner is a much more heightened version of Austin.

One of the more amusing comparisons is Warner's desire for light beer. A match between these two would be absolutely brutal. It is only a matter of time before Warner holds a title in Major League Wrestling. To see these two exchange blows and throw down with one another would also be a welcomed battle. Even though Austin isn't an active competitor, the matchup between them is a fairly balanced one.

#4 Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Nick Gage

A man that is honest as the day is long, Nick Gage defines today's version of the anti-hero much like Steve Austin. (Image courtesy: IWTV)

One of the most celebrated qualities about Austin is his willingness to battle amidst adversity. He overcame odds with the establishment against him. In fact, during his legendary match up with Bret 'Hitman' Hart at WrestleMania 13, Austin bled and eventually passed out from the pain. Today, wrestling has a new common man. He is the anti-hero that is as much a hero as Steve Austin was in his time.

Game Changer Wrestling's Nick Gage is a veteran of 22 years and in that time he has bled countless times. Gage has won and lost and through it all be loved for all that he has given to the profession that he loves. The same could be said about Steve Austin. A desire to see him step into the ring with the King of Ultraviolence would be a treat as too anti-heroes stand across from one another.

#3 Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Minoru Suzuki

The Wrestling King and the Texas Rattlesnake would be a battle that many young stars would admire today. (Image courtesy: Whatculture)

Much like any promotion and anyone that we would dream for Austin to face a legend in New Japan Pro Wrestling would also be a welcomed dream match. While a dream match with the Wrestling King is just that, to imagine the possibilities would be remarkable. If there was something Minoru Suzuki is long known for, it is his ability to issue a stiff strike. At 51 years of age, Suzuki will not hesitate to put his opponent through a guardrail or a ring post.

During his time, Austin wasn't much different. Even after his career was over, Steve Austin's 'don't trust anyone' attitude couldn't be any truer. A match with Suzuki would also reflect that same attitude and mindset. Which veteran would try to kill the other one first? In an ideal world, they would fight forever. However, in a dream world, we are left to simply wonder.

#2 Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. AJ Styles

One is Phenomenal and the other is the Toughest SOB on the planet. The result would be dream fans would salivate over.

AJ Styles and Stone Cold crossed paths a few months ago during a contract signing and never stepped into a ring with one another before. With the man voted wrestler of the decade, it would be a fun match to see today. Austin looks to be in the best shape ever 16 years after he wrestled his last match. A heel AJ Styles offers fans a guy that believes he is the best (and can back it up) against a guy that called himself the toughest.

While the two facing one another is all but a pipe dream at this point, the match is a dream for a few reasons. Austin is a wrestler's wrestler that can grapple much like he did when he faced Kurt Angle. He can adjust his way to best fit what meets the need of his opponent and the storyline told. When two longstanding professionals square off, the result would be a story for the ages.

#1 Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Jon Moxley

Imagine a paradigm shift in wrestling if the past met the present? Moxley and Austin would be a must-see dream match.

How could this not be the pinnacle of dream matches for Stone Cold Steve Austin? A number of years ago fans would speculate about a dream match between CM Punk and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Today, when arguably the most popular man in wrestling today faces a man that ruled wrestling towards the end of the century, the result would be a battle for the ages. Jon Moxley is akin to the anti-hero that Austin was during his time.

As the current AEW Heavyweight Champion, Jon Moxley is the man that will have the odds stacked against him and spit in its face. Much like Austin was known for facing and beating the odds, Moxley faces that uphill battle now as factions look to step on him and take him out along the way. Who blinks first in a battle of these two generational Superstars?