Kurt Angle Names WWE Star He Wanted To Face In Retirement Match

WWE

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has revealed who he initially pitched to Vince McMahon for his retirement match and the reason why his proposal was turned down.

After competing for two decades Kurt Angle officially hung up his boots from pro wrestling at WrestleMania 35 in April 2019, bowing out in a losing effort to Baron Corbin.

WWE’s decision to have Angle’s legendary career end in such a fashion was and still is questioned by many fans and now according to Angle himself it was not the idea he had originally proposed either.

Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, the Olympic Gold Medalist revealed what led to the decision to step away from the ring, explaining:

“I was doing a program with Baron Corbin when I decided I was going to retire.”

“The reason why I decided to retire is because I wasn’t me anymore. I was a half a step behind. I looked like I was old.

“When I was wrestling, I didn’t like what I saw. And Vince wanted me to keep wrestling.”

Angle then revealed his original pitch for his final match, one that would have featured the man who inducted Angle into the WWE Hall of Fame, John Cena.

This would’ve brought their rivalry full circle, as Cena’s WWE main roster debut saw him answer an open challenge laid out by Angle in 2002.

However, due to Angle being involved in a program with Corbin, Vince was not willing to entertain that idea for WrestleMania 35.

Revealing McMahon’s counter proposal, Angle noted:

“I asked Vince, ‘Hey, can I have John Cena?

“‘Because I started his career. I think it’d be proper if he ended my career.’ And Vince said, ‘No, you have Baron Corbin.

“You’ve been doing a program with him for six months. You have to continue.

“But if you want Cena, you can have it next year.’ And I said, ‘Well, I’m going to go this WrestleMania.’

“And he said, ‘Well, then you’re going to wrestle Baron Corbin. Are you okay with that?’ I said, ‘Yeah, that’s fine.’ So I wasn’t able to get Cena, but he gave me the option.”

Although Angle wasn’t able to secure one final match with Cena upon his retirement, many active WWE stars are seemingly excited by the possibility of working with the 16-time world champion upon his impending return to WWE TV in September and October.

One rising star in particular who already has history with the 16-time world champion has teased a match against Cena, click here to read on.

Transcript courtesy of Wrestling INC

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• Kurt Angle
• retirement
• baron corbin
• John Cena
• wwe

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