Kurt Angle recently opened up about his career which he wishes he had ended his in-ring career a decade earlier. On the Insight podcast, the Olympic gold medalist admitted that continuing to wrestle into his 40s took a toll on his body and affected the way he wanted fans to remember him.
“I wish I would have finished my career in WWE 10 years shorter in WWE or TNA… So in other words, instead of 20 years, I think 10 would have been enough and I think I would have been okay.”
Instead of retiring in 2009, which would’ve marked a decade since his Survivor Series 1999 debut, Angle wrestled for another ten years before his final match at WrestleMania 35 in 2019. On the podcast, Angle reflected on watching his matches and knowing he had to go.
“I didn’t like what I saw. I didn’t want the fans remembering me as a broken down Kurt Angle. I wanted them to remember me when I was in my prime.”
Had Angle retired when he wishes, fans would’ve lost out on much of the Olympian’s career in TNA Wrestling. In 2017, Angle returned to action as part of WWE and would be part of Ronda Rousey’s debut match the following year. During his return, would work with names including The Shield, Chad Gable, and Baron Corbin.
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While Angle may have regrets about how long he stayed active, his legacy as one of the greatest technical wrestlers of all time remains intact. Fans will always remember the intensity, passion, and dedication he brought to the squared circle with many still regarding Angle as the greatest wrestling athlete of all time.