7. We Could Have Had More Austin/Angle
For all his personal obstacles outside the ring, Kurt Angle has been a highly-regarded wrestler (both amateur and pro) for over 17 years. No one can dispute Angle's talent, his work ethic, and his seemingly ageless abilities. It gives him a lot of credibility when you hear him talk about wrestling, and he credits Steve Austin as the reason he got into the business. After his Olympic gold medal, Angle was offered a WWF contract, but turned it down because he wasn't sold on the "entertainment" side of the company. Fast forward one year, and he turns the channel to see Stone Cold Steve Austin tearing up the ring and the microphone. He is hooked, and credits Austin with changing his mind about pro wrestling. Not only did Austin change Kurt's mind, but he also became one of Kurt's all-time greatest opponents. The two men created many epic moments together, always with Austin calling the shots (which made sense according to wrestling convention, but also developed Angle's trust and respect for him). Their matches throughout 2001 can be considered timeless classics, not only making Angle a huge star but also elevating the game of every other wrestler who got in the ring with them, such as Chris Jericho and Triple H. So can you imagine what 2003 would have looked like, if Angle and Austin had been able to write another chapter in their careers together? After WrestleMania XIX, Kurt Angle was out with a hamstring and neck injury, but came back to feud against Brock Lesnar, Eddie Guerrero, and Shawn Michaels over the next couple of years. No small feats, and all memorable indeed. His injuries plagued him throughout, leading him to wrestle on a part-time basis until asking to be released from his contract in 2006. Who better to work with Angle's strengths and weaknesses in the ring than Austin, who also suffered from a nagging neck injury? Both men refused to perform unless they were at the top of their games, and would have pulled together a match that showcased two great minds and endless heart.