6 Opponents who could face Kurt Angle in his final match

When Kurt Angle returned to the WWE after WrestleMania 33, many weren't sure for just how long it would be.

Would he be just an on-screen presence or would he still suit up from time to time when it was deemed necessary?

What got him back into the door initially was an induction into the WWE Hall of Fame, but shortly after the ceremony, Angle was revealed the replacement for Mick Foley as the new Raw GM.

While he initially stayed out of the ring, he quickly was inserted as a member of the Shield during one feud. He also captained Team Raw at Survivor Series during the height of the brand split.

One of his most notable matches in his return was facing Stephanie McMahon and Triple H alongside Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 34.

But in the last few months, Angle has had matches where he lost to both Drew McIntyre and Baron Corbin. He lost a somewhat humiliating match to McIntyre while he simply was beaten by Corbin.

On this past week's Raw, he teamed with Finn Balor and Braun Strowman against Bobby Lashley, McIntyre and Corbin.

Since he's winding down his in-ring career and reports have recently surfaced that his in-ring career is coming to an end very soon, he might be lacing up the boots one last time at WrestleMania 35.

Who would make the perfect opponent in Angle's potential final match as a superstar? Here are five singles matches and one other match that might suit the former Olympian in his swan song.

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#6 Jeff Hardy

Hardy and Angle have a history dating back to TNA.

Unless he's walking out with the WWE Championship this Sunday, what will Jeff Hardy be doing at WrestleMania?

Would he be in some sort of multi-superstar match for the US Title or something totally different?

If WWE is booked into a corner, a match between Hardy and Angle would be a fitting end to the latter's in-ring career.

They crossed paths with each other in both TNA and WWE but haven't as much during each man's current WWE run.

Unlike matches with heels, this would be a match of ultimate sportsmanship and respect as both men are faces and respected by the crowd.

The show of emotion after the match would also be huge since they both went through some tough times in their lives during the same period away from WWE.

#5 Samoa Joe

Like Hardy, Joe and Angle have a long history with each other dating back to their TNA days.

Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle battled each other and were also allies during both of their tenures in TNA/Impact Wrestling.

They were both two of the cornerstones of the company along with Sting, AJ Styles and others. Joe even won his first TNA Heavyweight Championship by defeating Angle after failing to do so in several prior attempts.

Since they have such a storied history and really haven't crossed paths in WWE, it could easily be put together before WrestleMania.

I don't know what WWE has planned for, as Samoa Joe could walk out of the Elimination Chamber as WWE Champion. And he'd be more than deserving.

But for an opponent in a potential final wrestling match, Joe would certainly be a great choice. The two men have respect for each other and it would be a great moment out of kayfabe at WrestleMania should WWE go this way.

#4 Drew McIntyre

Angle's match with McIntyre late last year was hard to watch at times.

The next two slides go hand in hand. If WWE wants to use current storylines for Angle's final match, then a perfect opponent would be McIntyre.

McIntyre humiliated Angle a few months ago and it caused Angle to rethink things. He questioned if he still had it but still went out there to battle Baron Corbin and those who tormented him.

If WWE went this way, it could go one of two routes, with the first being the same result with Angle falling to McIntyre only in a more competitive match. Since it would be his last one, perhaps McIntyre would at least show a modicum of respect after the match.

The other route would be to have Angle win in his final outing. It would be a feel-good moment for the fans and Angle himself. When wrestlers are leaving/retiring, they often put over the younger stars, so perhaps him winning this time might not be in the plans.

#3 A tag team match with Braun Strowman against Baron Corbin and another heel

Angle had some serious back up recently on Raw.

Since Angle has been intertwined with Corbin, Lashley and McIntyre and no real plans are kicking around for the Monster Among Men, perhaps he teams up with Angle to oppose any combination of Lashley, Corbin and McIntyre.

Lashley will probably be defending his Intercontinental Championship should he retain it until April, so the logical combo would be Corbin and McIntyre.

Strowman and the heels could carry the action and when the time came for the finish, Angle could do a series of his hits and record the pin for his team.

Angle's physical condition is up for debate, but if his last match is being thrown around, a tag match might be the best use of the aforementioned talents.

Strowman and Angle are friends in real life as well, so it's not like he'd have to learn how to work with a completely new teammate or set of foes. It would also tie into current WWE storylines.

#2 AJ Styles

Styles would be a perfect final opponent for Angle's last wrestling match.

Like both Hardy and Joe, Styles and Angle first crossed paths during their tenures in TNA. They often battled each other for the TNA Heavyweight Championship and also were allied at various points.

Styles is still negotiating a new WWE contract, so who knows what might be offered to him in order to retain his services.

But like Hardy, any match between Angle and Styles at WrestleMania would be one between two stars who respect each other and who would give each other a good match.

Styles has wrestled great matches against practically everyone in his WWE career despite some strange booking in feuds with Shinsuka Nakamura and Samoa Joe.

Angle wouldn't have to carry the match as Styles could take care of that. The one reason why this would be an acceptable loss for Styles is because he doesn't need 'putting over' as he's in his 40s and an already established star.

It would be a better match than Shane McMahon, so if Styles opposed Angle in Angle's final match, I wouldn't be upset with that.

#1 John Cena

Things would come full circle for Angle and Cena if the two squared off in Angle's last match.

Perhaps the most fitting opponent albeit in another way for Angle in his final match would be John Cena.

Cena debuted ruthlessly and aggressively against the cocky angle in 2002. While Cena gave Angle a tough match, Angle ultimately prevailed.

Their was even that backstage scene of approval involving the Undertaker and Cena after the match.

Cena is a part-timer now but is still good in the ring. Like Styles, he might be over 40 but is still in phenomenal shape. He could help Angle along in the match and like Styles, it wouldn't be horrible if Cena lost because Cena doesn't need any putting over.

It would also be sort of a full circle moment since Angle's career would be finished by the man whom debuted against him nearly 20 years ago.

And when speaking about respect, Cena's motto is all about it. Who else would show the retiring legend any more respect? It would be an emotional moment for both men and a truly memorable moment for the WWE Universe.