During a recent interview with SportBible, WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle commented on his decision to retire, and more. You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On being the best in the business for 10 years: “I picked up right away from day one. As a matter of fact, on my tryout the first bump I ever took, by the end of the day they signed me to a deal. S—, I caught on fast. From 2001 to 2011 I was on fire; I was the best wrestler in the business for ten years. I started when I was 31, I’d say around 41 or 42 was when I started seeing my level and status going down slowly. I was able to perform the way I wanted to until about 48.”
On his retirement: “I wasn’t supposed to retire but being inactive for a couple of years really set me back. I shortened my career because I thought I was ready to retire. It was my call. I didn’t want to continue on because I couldn’t perform the way I used to. I just knew my body couldn’t do it anymore. He [Vince] was cool about it, he knew what I wanted.”
On his WrestleMania match with Chris Benoit: “I do remember my match at the Royal Rumble with Chris Benoit for the world title in 2003. That was my best match ever I think. Chris Benoit was the real deal. He was probably the best in-ring performer, I wouldn’t say overall talent but as far as an in-ring performer, [there was] nobody better.”
