The world of WWE has undergone significant changes since the previous leadership, particularly after a successful merger brought in new dynamics. Amidst these transformations, Kurt Angle, the celebrated Olympic Gold medalist, shared his reasons for an abrupt retirement at WrestleMania 35. His return to the Stamford-based promotion was met with much fanfare as he re-entered the ring after more than a decade away. Angle was thrust into the spotlight with high-profile feuds and matches for two years until his retirement at the renowned event.
Angle had previously expressed a wish to have John Cena as his opponent for his farewell match. In an interview on Wrestling Life, the six-time World Champion divulged the reasons behind his spontaneous decision to step away from in-ring competition despite the company’s different plans for him. “I could tell a lot of fans could tell that I was not the same wrestler when I went to WWE the second time than what I was last time in WWE or TNA. I looked older, I wrestled like I was older. I felt like I was looking like an old man and I didn’t like what I saw. So that’s when I told Vince I need to retire at WrestleMania (35). He’s like I’ve plans for you wrestling after that. I said I can’t do it. I’m too old, I’m too banged up and I don’t want the fans remembering me as the person that’s wrestling right now. I want them to remember me from a long time ago (…) That’s why I retired spontaneously because I didn’t like what I saw,” Angle explained.
Despite the company’s future plans for him, Angle chose to retire after his match against Baron Corbin at WrestleMania in New Jersey, believing it was the right decision. His departure marked the end of an era for his fans and the wrestling community. Angle’s wrestling journey had not been straightforward, as his legacy within WWE seemed to diminish after he joined TNA. Nevertheless, his time in the former IMPACT wrestling promotion was marked by some of the best work of his career, significantly contributing to the company’s prominence.
In conversation with Chris Van Vliet, Angle revealed his eagerness to return to WWE once his initial contract with TNA expired. “So I knew that they probably wouldn’t give me that money that I was making. So I figured you know what it’s time to think about going back to WWE. And I also want to go back because I wanted to go back for the fans and to thank them, the WWE Universe, because I had six and a half incredible years in WWE. And I wanted to go back and thank the fans personally and perform for them before I retired,” he shared. Before finally retiring, Angle had the opportunity to collaborate with The Shield, adding a final chapter to his storied career.
