By Chris Walters on April 16, 2004 at 7:35 PM EST

As we reported before, WWE.com posted an official message on their website confirming the release of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin from the active roster.

The core of the dispute between WWE and Austin's legal team, who began re-negotiating his contract recently was the rights to the "Stone Cold" nickname for non-WWE projects. As Austin saw it, he and his at-the-time wife came up with the name, and assumed it would be a professional courtesy from Vince McMahon after their years working together, that he use it freely.

Earlier this week there was some reports that said negotiations were starting to look brighter, but obviously that was just the eye of the hurricane, as WWE.com announced his release today.

Austin is considering working with Bill Goldberg in Japan in a match that could, and as they hope, will be marketed on U.S. PPV. Goldberg and Austin had always been friends, and had discussed such an idea a while ago, and only became better friends during Goldberg's run with WWE.

SHOCKING: Goldberg & Austin To Join TNA & REALLY Try To Give WWE Competition! (MAJOR DETAILS >>)

Credit: PWTorch.com