Kurt Angle has been called a lot of things over the years, WWE Champion, the Olympic Gold Medalist, and some even believe him to be the greatest wrestler of all time. Whatever camp you fall into, there's absolutely no denying that Angle has been one of the most influential Superstars in the history of the business for better or worse.
Over the years in his WWE tenure, Angle successfully turned himself from an everyday wrestler into one of the most charismatic Superstars the WWE Universe had ever seen. His ability to transition from comedic genius to wrestling machine was impeccable, and it's the reason that so many guys look up to him in the present day.
Now with rumours of a potential return to the company swirling around the internet, it's time to remind people of what we lost when Angle went to TNA. Of course, some fans choose to watch both, but for WWE diehards there's only one place for top Superstars to have world class matches.
Regardless of if you agree with that statement, this is all about "what could have been". We're focusing on Kurt Angle - the man, the myth, the legend. So with that in mind, here are five WrestleMania matches that the Olympic Hero could've had if he hadn’t left for TNA.
#5 John Cena - WrestleMania 23
What a story this could've been. Whilst Cena's bout with Shawn Michaels in Detroit was great, this could have been even better, given the story on the table. With Angle being Cena's first ever match in the WWE back in 2002, WWE creative could've built this up as Angle wanting to prove that he's still the best wrestler in the company.
It would've felt like a big time main event just as much as the HBK bout, and Angle, therefore, would have received yet another deserved WrestleMania main event.
Cena would likely win the match in order to continue his meteoric rise up the card, but there's nothing wrong with that. Angle didn't tend to win a lot of his big-time feuds at that point anyway, and he was reaching the back end of his tenure when he ended up leaving a year earlier. So really, everyone wins.
Now for a story that could have been hugely beneficial for the man standing opposite Angle.
#4 Shelton Benjamin - WrestleMania 24
The Gold Standard vs. The Gold Medalist. As a member of Team Angle, Shelton Benjamin announced himself to the WWE Universe as a big time player in terms of in ring ability. Unfortunately, the former Intercontinental Champion never quite reached the heights that many were expecting of him during his tenure.
All that could've changed had they had this career-making match. Angle vs. Benjamin is a contest stocked full of history, and Angle could bring up the fact that he never thought Benjamin was good enough to be in his inner circle but he "felt like being charitable".
Meanwhile Benjamin, growing in confidence and anger every week, could really show off some character traits throughout the feud.
Obviously, this would lead to Angle going 0-2 on this list, but it's more than worth it. In the following years, Benjamin would likely have ascended to the very top of WWE, with his former mentor Angle to thank. If that isn't good storytelling, then nothing is.
From an upcoming talent to a bonafide legend.
#3 Chris Jericho - WrestleMania 25
These two men crossed paths on a number of occasions throughout the Attitude Era, so it seems only fitting that they would square off one more time at the 25th edition of WrestleMania. They could play up the fact that they were never friends behind the scenes.
Angle could have said he didn't like Jericho's "indy" style, meanwhile, Y2J could have stated he felt that Angle was handed everything he got. Of course, this is all part of the storyline development, and in order for it to work you'd probably have to have Angle work the more babyface style out of the two.
Heel vs. heel could work under different circumstances, but not at the biggest show of the year.
We'd probably have to give Kurt the win here, just to say that he had a big WrestleMania victory towards the end of his career in the WWE. Jericho is bulletproof and is always willing to put people over, and the in-ring potential of this contest is truly limitless.
Back down to a future Superstar for this next entry.
#2 CM Punk - WrestleMania 26
Boy oh boy, this would be good. Angle and Punk are two completely different characters, yet both possess unbelievable talent in the ring. They could work so many different stories into this feud and it could all stem from Angle being disgusted that this is the calibre of Superstar in the modern era of WWE.
Punk would likely go babyface for this which would delay the Straight Edge Society somewhat, but he'd still come across as a bad ass. It would be Punk's first real singles feud at the show of shows, much like his match against Rey actually was, and what a way to kick things off.
This could even be the show opener in a surefire way to excite the crowd for the rest of the event.
Punk would obviously go over as tempting as it would be to have Angle sneak a cheeky victory. But once again, the wins and losses don't matter when you're as legitimately talented as Kurt Angle is. It's true, oh it's damn true.
Now to the match we all were dying to see at WrestleMania.
#1 The Undertaker - WrestleMania 27
Everyone tends to know the tale behind Kurt Angle vs. The Undertaker. Essentially, they had a match at No Way Out back in 2006 and fans around the world were outraged that it wasn't left until WrestleMania in Chicago the following month. Instead, Mark Henry was awarded the streak match and the whole vibe of the match itself felt a little bit off.
That's where fantasy booking comes in handy because five years later we could tell the same story yet again. Although it would sacrifice the Taker vs. HHH bout that originally took place, WWE could have still had that match at WM28 in Miami and it would likely have the same effect.
For this, however, the circumstances have to be perfect for these two legendary performers.
Angle and ‘Taker have been leading the way in terms of in-ring quality for as long as anybody can remember, and in the pre-match promos The Deadman can talk about how "he knew this day would come". It would be an extremely tight contest and, to be honest, we're more than tempted to give Kurt the win here.
Unfortunately, we then wouldn't have had the fantastic HHH and Punk matches so it's not to be. But still, we can all imagine a world where Kurt Angle breaks the streak and never stops bragging about it. Phenomenal stuff.
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