We now know why the sports entertainment company had these two legends open what was hyped up to be the biggest episode of WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw, since Raw 1000 in 2012.

As seen on the Monday Night Raw 25 Anniversary show in Brooklyn, NY at the Barclays Center on the USA Network, Steve Austin returned to WWE TV in the opening segment with Shane, Stephanie, and Vince McMahon.

After Vince was insulted by receiving a plaque by his children, he heeled it up that set up Austin walking out and giving a few stunners.

For years now, Steve Austin has been regarded as one of the biggest stars in the history of the sports entertainment company.

He has feuded with the biggest names in the history of professional wrestling including Vince McMahon, The Undertaker The Rock, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, Triple H and the list goes on and on. He has held nearly every title that the company has to offer.

Austin held 19 championships throughout his wrestling career as he is a six-time WWE Champion, a two-time Intercontinental Champion and a four-time WWE Tag Team Champion, thus making him the fifth Triple Crown Champion in WWE history.

While also being a two-time WCW United States Heavyweight Champion, a two-time WCW World Television Champion, a one-time WCW World Tag Team Champion and a one-time NWA World Tag Team Champion in WCW.

He was forced to retire from in-ring competition in 2003 due to a series of knee injuries and a serious neck injury.

One of the signatures of the entrance of WWE Hall of Famer was usually him talking as he walked down the ramp

Throughout the rest of 2003 and 2004, he was featured as the Co-General Manager and Sheriff of Raw. Since 2005, he has continued to make occasional appearances, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.

As for the reason that the sports entertainment company had the WWE Chairman and Austin appear in the opening segment, we now know why thanks to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated who reported on the segment and the 25 Anniversary show in his most recent article on SI.com.

WWE made the call for these stars to open the show in an attempt to bring more casual viewers to the show to help build towards WrestleMania.

Here is what Barrasso wrote: “The goal remains to attract more casual viewers during the build to WrestleMania 34, which is why the show opened with Steve Austin and Vince McMahon in an interaction that was certain to attract millions of viewers, many who do not watch the product every week.”