Keith Lee signed with AEW in February 2022 after being released by WWE three months earlier.
Although the star had been a favourite with fans while with WWE, his run was badly affected by issues with injury and illness.
Lee joined the company in 2018, and made a big impression in NXT, winning the North American Title and the NXT Championship. While the star was racking up wins in the black and gold brand, Kurt Angle was enjoying his final run as an in-ring performer.
The WWE legend eventually retired at WrestleMania 35 in 2019 after defeat to Baron Corbin.
Speaking during an appearance on the Masked Man Podcast, Lee revealed that he was keeping a close eye on Angle’s run on Raw. He explained that the former World Champion had always been a dream match of his, and had a full 30-minute match planned in his head.
“For as long as I could remember, my number one dream match was against Kurt Angle. When I tell you I had an entire match in my head of things I wanted to happen. I wanted 20, 30 minutes [with him],”
Lee went on to break down where Angle ranks on his all-time list.
“My influence in this industry is a three-way cross, it’s a triangle, maybe even isosceles, and it is a cross between early [2000s] Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle, and Low Ki. Those are some of my biggest influences, and then right there on the precipice is Great Muta. Those are my biggest influences and people I love to study and/or watch.”
Keith Lee Recently Returned To AEW
Keith Lee recently resumed his rivalry with Swerve Strickland after being out of action since the December 21st edition of Dynamite when he was attacked by his former tag team partner and his new faction later dubbed Mogul Affiliates.
H/t to Wrestling Inc