Since his WWE debut in 1999, Kurt Angle has built a Hall of Fame worthy career and had the honor of being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2017. Following his induction, the Olympic gold medalist returned to WWE to serve as Raw General Manager as well as to compete sporadically as a performer.
In the later years of his career, Kurt Angle took part in Ronda Rousey’s 2018 debut match in WWE, teaming with the UFC standout to take on the authority figure team of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 34. His in-ring career came to a close the next year at WrestleMania 35, where he retired following a loss to Baron Corbin.
Kurt Angle Considered Retirement Before A 2015 Match With Bobby Lashley
Speaking as part of a Q&A on The Kurt Angle Show (available early via AdFreeShows), the WWE Hall of Famer revealed that he nearly called an end to his in-ring career years before his actual retirement. However, his TNA World Championship match with Bobby Lashley in 2015 changed his mind and proved to him that he still had more left to give in the ring.
“That title win was one of my top five moments and I’ll tell you why. I was in my late 40s and I didn’t know if I was still in my prime. This match was a great test for me. Bobby Lashley was in his prime, I’m near the end of my career, I’m wrestling for the World Title, and I beat him.
“We had a great match. It gave me the confidence to continue to move on. Because at this point in time, I was actually considering retirement. But after beating Bobby and having that great match with him, I knew I wasn’t done wrestling. So that match had a huge impact on my career and it’s one of my top five moments.”
Bobby Lashley is currently scheduled to face Brock Lesnar at WWE Crown Jewel. However, Triple H declared on the latest episode of Monday Night Raw that if the two men touch before November 5th, the bout will be called off.
h/t Fightful