WWE Rumor: Kurt Angle May Return in April 2017 (Plus TJR Thoughts)

Kurt Angle hasn’t been in a WWE ring since 2006. He left for TNA Wrestling shortly after his departure and ever since then there’s been a question that wrestling fans asked a lot: When is Kurt Angle coming back?

There’s no official word on when that return might happen, but there’s a strong rumor that it might be April 2017.

Here’s what Dave Meltzer wrote in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter (available via subscription at wrestlingobserver.com) on the subject of Angle apparently telling promoters he is going back to WWE in April:

For whatever this is worth, and keep in mind this wouldn’t be the first time this has been said, but Kurt Angle has told promoters he’s doing no more indie dates except one match with Alberto and another with Cody Rhodes, and then going to WWE in April. Keep in mind his people have claimed that for some time and WWE sources have denied it. There are all kinds of rumors regarding Angle and WWE, and there would be, since WWE has in recent years changed its position on people who would “never” be back like Warrior and Goldberg. Angle was always a Vince McMahon call, as ever since he left TNA early this past year, he’s made it clear he wants to go back and things like being the new character in the video game and going into the Hall of Fame make sense as there is a very short list for the former and a fairly short list for guys who can be in the top two or three spots for the latter and he checks both off. As far as wrestling goes, it would have to be a Goldberg/Lesnar thing of only a few matches.

It doesn’t sound like a sure thing and I think Meltzer did a good job of explaining it. Some other sites will probably twist what he wrote to say that it’s a sure thing, but obviously he made a point in saying that it’s not definite. That’s why we’re calling it a rumor.

TJR Thoughts: My first reaction is to say “holy shit” and I can assure you that I would mark the f out if I hear that Angle entrance song at a WWE event again. He’s in my top three favorite wrestlers ever along with Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin. I have wanted an Angle return for years. I hope that next year is the time for it.

Considering WWE has brought in the likes of Sting, Ultimate Warrior (not for a match), Goldberg and Shane McMahon in the last few years it makes sense to give Angle the chance to return “home” as well. The problems that existed for him in 2006 when he was drinking a lot and using drugs aren’t an issue anymore because he’s been sober for a few years now.

Angle is 48 years old, so I would assume that if he comes back it would be on a limited schedule. Work three or four matches in a year. He would be great as a GM for Raw or Smackdown, which could then lead to him having issues with a wrestler and then a match could follow. Having Angle headline a Hall of Fame class one of these years makes a lot of sense too.

As for Angle telling promoters that April is around the time of his return, that obviously means WrestleMania time. WrestleMania 33 takes place on April 2 in Orlando. Having Angle show up as a surprise at that event would be a great way to bring him back. They could save it for the next night on Raw as well. Perhaps he could even be brought in before that and used as a referee for Goldberg vs. Lesnar or some other match on the card. He could even have a match on the show.

This is a story to keep a close eye on heading into the new year. Let us know what you think about it.