Kurt Angle’s illustrious career in professional wrestling can be divided into two distinct eras: his time in WWE and his later stint in TNA. Despite achieving great success and earning a well-deserved place in the WWE Hall of Fame, Angle reflects on his journey with thoughtful contemplation and muses about alternate possibilities for his career trajectory.
When asked about regrets during “The Kurt Angle Show,” Angle expressed his genuine appreciation for his time in TNA: “I don’t regret going to TNA. I absolutely love TNA.” He even revealed that, if circumstances allowed, he would have likely extended his tenure with the company beyond the 11 years he spent there. However, financial constraints played a role in his eventual departure.
While Angle cherished his time in TNA, he also yearned to return to his roots in WWE and close the curtains on his career where it all began. Yet, there is one aspect of his WWE journey that he wishes he could change—the frequent injuries that plagued him and contributed to his struggle with painkiller addiction. These struggles eventually led to his departure from WWE, a decision he made to safeguard his well-being. Reflecting on this, Angle admitted, “I wish I didn’t get injured so much because that’s what caused my painkiller problem. And my painkiller problem caused me to leave the WWE because I felt like if I wasn’t gonna leave, I was gonna end up doing something pretty bad, which is overdose on painkillers. So I thought it was right for me to leave.”
Nonetheless, Angle believes that had he not faced those challenges, he would have continued to thrive in WWE for a remarkable twenty years. In fact, he candidly stated, “I really believe I would’ve been the greatest of all time. And that’s not me blowing smoke, I’m just being honest. I really think I would’ve been the greatest of all time if I’d stayed with WWE.”
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In 2019, Angle officially bid farewell to professional wrestling at WrestleMania 35, where he faced Baron Corbin in his last match. Following his in-ring career, Angle remained involved in WWE as the General Manager of the “WWE Raw” brand, showcasing his versatility and commitment to the industry even beyond his wrestling days.
