By Chris Walters on April 13, 2004 at 4:43 PM EST

Last we heard on Stone Cold Steve Austin is that he was in negotiations with WWE for a new signing. He had hired a new high powered, highly paid lawyer to do the negotiations for him.

From what we've heard, Austin and WWE right now are at a business stand off. The biggest problem, at this point, is who will have ownership of the "Stone Cold" name. Austin and company met with WWE last week and from what we hear the meeting went "well". Both parties were said to be affable and left on good terms.

Some internally with the company are perplexed with the fact that Austin hired such an expensive lawyer who's not at all experienced with negotiating wrestlers' contracts. It is well known that with WWE you often take as much as you can get and give it up, because WWE is more than willing to move on without you.

As they have showed as of late, there has been absolutely no mention of Steve Austin on RAW nor on the WWE website.

Also, many wrestlers are torn between Austin taking his ball and going home again, and WWE being a bit harsh with a name Austin's wife came up with and Austin made infamous. However, WWE legally trademarked the name and have all rights to it.

Austin wants full control over the name, while WWE wants a piece of any action Austin makes out side the company using "Stone Cold" Steve Austin as his name. Internally, WWE feels that they should just move on. As they see it, fans will not see Steve Austin in the public eye and forget about him, which will make negotiations much more difficult for Austin and his lawyer.

"The Rattlesnake" Steve Williams (Formally Stone Cold Steve Austin) going to NWA-TNA? Discuss now!

[ Source: Pro Wrestling Insider ]