Kurt Angle Refuses To Rule Out In-Ring Return

Kurt Angle has opened the door to potentially wrestling again, although he has no immediate plans to return to the ring.

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle last competed in the ring at WrestleMania 35 against Baron Corbin in what was billed as his retirement match. Since then, Angle has been open about his unhappiness with his final in-ring run in WWE. He has even described his retirement bout as “filler” and expressed his disappointment at not getting a final World Championship match.

Despite this, the Olympic gold medallist has previously insisted that he won’t be returning to the ring. However, on the most recent episode of The Kurt Angle Show, (available on AdFreeShows) Angle has opened the door to stepping inside the ropes once again.

Angle explained that he had recently started losing weight and believes he is in the best shape of his life, as far as looks go.

“I gained a lot of weight during this pandemic. I got up to 260 and I got my butt down to 210 pounds so I’m in the best shape I’ve ever been in even before the Olympics as far as looks, not on a conditioning level or a strength level. As far as how I look, this is the best I’ve ever looked and I’m really happy with my progress.”

He went on to discuss how being inactive after his retirement, and especially during the pandemic, had led to physical problems.

“Being out of wrestling the past few years, especially during the pandemic, I had a lot of physical problems. A lot of problems I had from not doing anything, not working out as much as I did, sitting all the time, nothing to do, being stuck at home. I started to have a lot of back pain and knee pain and it got to the point to where I was like I probably won’t wrestle again.”

Kurt Angle then explained that he is training hard to get his body back in shape, and that while he is not planning on wrestling, it could happen if he is able to get back to the level he was five years ago.

“I started training hard again to get my body back in shape and, not that I’m planning on wrestling, but I want to keep the option open. I’ve been training a lot of physical therapy training, working on my smaller muscles, my core, everything like that. I lost a lot during this pandemic, I couldn’t even walk in a straight line, my balance was off, my strength was off and I was going through a really difficult time. I went through a lot of depression too.

“With all of that, I’m trying to work myself into pretty good shape. I don’t expect myself to be what I used to be 10 years ago but I would take 5 years ago over anything. If I’m able to feel as good as I did five years ago, I will probably wrestle. But right now, I don’t plan on it.”

H/T to Wrestling Inc for the above transcription.