5 Best Opponents For Kurt Angle's WrestleMania 35 Retirement Match

2. Chad Gable

Wrestlemania 35 Angle Cena
WWE.com

It's surprising that WWE haven't already tried to cash-in on a Kurt Angle/Chad Gable storyline, given their similarities. They've both competed at the Olympics, both work a suplex-heavy style, they're both built like chimney stacks, and Gable even shares the endearingly goofy charisma that used to leak from Kurt earlier in his career.

Yet WWE had their chance to throw them together in 2017's "mystery son" storyline, and they blew it, opting for Jason Jordan instead. A real missed opportunity.

Such a programme could've been the making of Gable, who remains laced with star potential. His size means he'll never be 'The Guy' in Vince McMahon's organisation, but he's a real hidden gem, a guy with a proven track record of getting things over, and he's badly wasted in his tag team with professional chinlock purveyor Bobby Roode.

Perhaps a WrestleMania 35 bout with Angle could kickstart something special. Their similarities form the narrative for what could be a fun little passing of the torch, rubber-stamped by the 'Olympic Hero' raising Gable's hand in victory before his retirement ceremony proper. It'd mean removing Gable and Roode from the Raw Tag Title hunt before then, but this is more important.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.