5 Best Opponents For Kurt Angle's WrestleMania 35 Retirement Match
Who should the Olympic Hero face in his last WWE match EVER?
Kurt Angle will draw the curtain on his legendary wrestling career at WrestleMania 35, where the 'Olympic Hero' will compete in one last "farewell match" after close to 21 years in the business.
Breaking the news on last night's Raw, a teary-eyed Angle thanked the fans, WWE, and everyone he's ever shared a locker-room with for giving him "the time of his life." His will be an earned retirement. A 12-time WWE, TNA, and WCW World Champion, Angle has ground his body to dust for his craft, and his decision to step away will be met with as much relief as nostalgia.
Kurt stopped short of naming his 7 April opponent. WWE will fill the spot sooner rather than later, so let's take a look at the most intriguing options before they do so.
Nobody with clear-cut WrestleMania plans has been included, which means no Daniel Bryan (who'll almost certainly face Kofi Kingston). Angle's storyline son, Jason Jordan, is unlikely to ever wrestle again. He's out as well.
Anyone else is fair game, and while Kurt isn't going to deliver a 'Mania classic at 50 years old, perhaps these opponents can help him bring the pantomime...
5. Sami Zayn
If Sami Zayn isn't ready to return yet, he can't be far off. Sidelined for double shoulder surgery in June 2018, the former 'Underdog From The Underground' was originally advertised to return last December, and has already reported to the Performance Center as his lengthy rehabilitation period continues. WrestleMania 35 isn't guaranteed, but the timelines should coincide.
Zayn would work as either a face or a heel. As a good guy, WWE could bring him back respectfully, have him challenge Kurt on an episode of Raw, then work the "first-time dream match" angle. It's one of the easiest stories in the book. If Sami's a heel, then having him reprise the colossal pain-in-the-arse character he was playing prior to his departure works equally well. He and Kevin Owens sparred with Angle several times when he was Raw General Manager. There's your history, there's your motivation, and there's your match.
This is the thinnest premise on our list, but that's why it's at number five. Regardless, the novelty of seeing Zayn and Angle do battle for the first time would be enough to sell most fans, though it'd be happening at least five years too late.