Is it time for the WWE and Kurt Angle to shake hands?
Kurt Angle is going through the motions of simply finishing his contract with TNA Wrestling after which 46-year-old Olympian plans to take a hiatus before seeing what he does next.
Angle entered the wrestling scene back in 1996 when he joined the defunct Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) brand. He however reached new heights when he joined the WWE in 1998. It was in the World Wrestling Entertainment where Angle flourished, seeing him become the Eurocontinental Champion and WWE heavyweight champion.
Angle played both as a face and heel wrestler, best known for his moves such as the Angle Slam and the Ankle Lock.
In 2006, Angle made inconsistent appearances in the WWE scene. He was drafted into the ECW brand where he would change his screen name to “The Wrestling Machine”.
Angle was granted an early release for health reasons on August 25, 2006. His last match was against Sabu which he won after Rob Van Dam interfered.
It didn’t take long however for Angle to make a return, signing with rival brand TNA on September 24, 2006. He made his first appearance in TNA on October 19.
It remains to be seen what Angle has planned though some believe that Angle could consider a return to the WWE scene. Though both have a forgettable past, the WWE has been recruiting older wrestlers as of late.
Among the wrestlers who are no longer that young but active are Sting (Steve Borden) (56), the Undertaker (50), the Big Show (43) and the Dudley Boyz who have a combined age of 87.
Samoa Joe, 36, is also now with the WWE, hooked up with WWE NXT.
In an article published last April by Sports Illustrated, it seems that Angle did have plans to go back to the WWE.
“I haven’t spoke openly about this,” said Angle, “but I opened up my options and was going to decide between TNA and WWE. I wasn’t going to leave TNA unless WWE was offering a fair deal.”
Angle had hoped that his past relationship with WWE CEO Vince McMahon would have helped. But as it turns out, he came across a pretty different Vince.
“For the Vince McMahon who I knew, enough was never enough. He always wanted more. I don’t know what was going on over there, but they even cancelled our meeting. I never went to see them. They didn’t even sit me down and talk to me.”
This article was published back in April so things may have changed by now. Could the WWE find room for Angle?
Right now it seems pretty tough to say considering the stance of Mr. McMahon. But then again one would never know if he changes his mind. Maybe Triple H can step in and reason with him?
If not, well, Angle can simply take his time and take a break. He has had his share of injuries so maybe some time off would help him decide on what his next step would be.