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WrestleMania 32: Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels, Dwayne Johnson Triumphantly Return

By Ernie Howell
Published on: 16:23 PST, Apr 3, 2016

When WrestleMania 32 promised to serve as a link to the past along with the present, fans could have only hoped to see some of the wrestling stars from the previous generation return. What they received was more than anyone could have predicted.

In that aspect, WrestleMania 32 didn’t disappoint. Veteran superstars “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returned to provide fireworks for one of wrestling’s biggest nights, showing the younger competition why these wrestlers were such forces in their heyday.

The trio made their triumphant return to WrestleMania 32 after the League of Nations, comprised of Wade Barrett, Sheamus, Rusev and Alberto Del Rio, defeated the New Day in their match, according to SB Nation. That’s when the wrestlers laid down the gauntlet with Wade Barrett saying that no three men in the history of the WWE could match up with them.

Unfortunately for them, there were takers on the challenge they issued at WrestleMania 32. The familiar sounds of entrance music played for Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, caused the enormous crowd to erupt for the former fan favorites.

The three men entered the ring, beating down the League of Nations easily. During the fight, the WrestleMania 32 crowd was excited by the return of Mr. Socko from Mick Foley while Shawn Michaels delivered his signature “Sweet Chin Music” finisher to Alberto Del Rio.

After the fight, the New Day returned to the ring to celebrate with the legendary wrestlers. The group even coerced Shawn Michaels and Mick Foley to dance along with them. Temporarily, even Steve Austin joined the celebration before he delivered a “Stone Cold Stunner” to Xavier Woods.

Steve Austin, Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels weren’t the only wrestling superstars to return to WrestleMania 32. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also returned to the WrestleMania stage, having an impromptu match with Erick Rowan that lasted less than 10 seconds. “The Rock” was later joined by John Cena at the event, coming in to provide a little more insult and injury to Rowan.

In the main event, another superstar who has been wrestling for decades, Triple H, dropped his title to Roman Reigns. For Triple H, the match was No. 20 in his storied wrestling career at a WrestleMania event. The newly-created Women’s Championship also changed hands as Charlotte scored the victory in a three-way match to make history at WrestleMania 32.

WrestleMania 32 set the attendance record for the event this year. Over 101,000 fans packed the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday night, easily besting the record for a WrestleMania in the event’s long and storied history.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin was recently in the news as the college that bears a name similar to his — Stephen F. Austin — took the 2016 NCAA Tournament by storm as No. 14 seed. The school beat No. 3 West Virginia and celebrated by inviting Steve Austin to attend the next game the team played via Twitter, the Inquisitr reported.

The wrestling legend politely declined, citing previous obligations. Stephen F. Austin nearly gave “Stone Cold” another chance to see the Lumberjacks in action in their next game, falling in a last-second shot to Notre Dame in the second round of the tournament.

Prior to the event, rumors swirled that Hulk Hogan might make his return to the WWE and WrestleMania 32 after being exiled for racist comments he allegedly made in his now infamous sex tape. While Hulk Hogan was scheduled to be in Dallas this weekend, the superstar was not present at the annual biggest night in wrestling.

What do you think about WrestleMania 32 return of Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin and Dwayne Johnson? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

[Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images]

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hulk hogan charlotte steve austin Sheamus Shawn Michaels roman reigns Alberto Del Rio Erick Rowan Dwayne Johnson John Cena Triple H Mick Foley
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