5-Time WWE Champion Allegedly Held Back Because Of Size
Kurt Angle claims 5-time WWE Champion Chad Gable has more potential.
Gable is currently absent from WWE due to a rotator cuff injury that required surgery in early July 2025. The injury happened during a backstage brawl with Penta on the June 23 episode of Monday Night RAW. The injury was severe enough to require surgery, which Gable underwent successfully in early July 2025.
He confirmed the surgery and injury publicly, describing it as a tough but necessary step for recovery. Since the surgery, he has been out of action, focusing on healing and spending more time with his family. His return timeline remains uncertain but is expected to be several months off.
WWE legend Kurt Angle Praises Chad Gable
During his recent appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show, WWE legend Kurt Angle discussed Chad Gable as a wrestler and what he thinks is the biggest challenge he faces in WWE.
He pointed out that Gable is a talented superstar, and thus he’s bound to succeed. But he thinks that his somewhat small size is a big hurdle in the way of his success. Nonetheless, Angle is positive that Gable is destined for greater things.
“I think he’s great. I’m just happy he was able to find his niche, I know it’s kind of identical to mine, but if it works for him I’m happy for him. I think regardless of if he did my character or anyone else’s, I think the kid’s incredibly talented, so he would have succeeded either way.
“You know the problem with him, I think it’s only because the office looks at him like this but he’s a little undersized, but that’s not an excuse Chris Benoit was 5′ 9″, Eddie Guerrero was 5′ 8″, Rey Mysterio’s 5′ 5″, so someone like Chad can be a main eventer.” [H/T WrestleTalk]
Chad Gable and Kurt Angle share notable similarities in their wrestling careers, both being highly accomplished amateur wrestlers transitioning successfully to professional wrestling. They each boast Olympic wrestling backgrounds: Angle won gold in 1996, while Gable was an NCAA standout collegiate wrestler.
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