Update on Kurt Angle taking a break from Wrestling; Interest in a Retirement match?

Kurt Angle revealed he would not sign with TNA after his current expires

During an interview with Mark Madden on Tuesday, Kurt Angle revealed he would not re-sign with TNA after his current deal expires at the end of this year. Instead, he plans to take a break form the wrestling business. Dealing with the inescapable wear-and-tear of professional wrestling, including a history of serious neck surgeries, it’s no secret that Angle is nearing the end of his in-ring career.

Angle said he will take some time off once his current Impact Wrestling deal is up, and will not pursue a deal with WWE. Angle did add that he was open to the idea of a final match with WWE, but he will take a break before making any decisions. Angle said he is ready to go for TNA’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view next month, but didn’t say how long the sabbatical might last. The former Olympic Gold Medalist is still featured in ads for the Maximum Impact tour in January, but those may be updated shortly after yesterday’s announcement.

At 46, with a very physical technical wrestling style, it’s fair to question whether Angle should ever wrestle again. But if he opts for one last run, it should be in WWE. In April, Angle spoke with Sports Illustrated about his failed attempt to return to WWE, claiming the promotion canceled a meeting designed to discuss a possible comeback. With WWE currently investing in new talent, it makes sense that they would bypass a potentially monumental return from an attitude-era star. While WWE is going young, however, one cannot deny the presence of older wrestlers in prominent positions currently on its roster. Considering the amount of veterans who are still active, it’s hard to imagine there is no room for Kurt Angle.

Sting, 56, is a decade older than Angle and will be participating in the main event of the upcoming Night of Champions pay-per-view opposite Seth Rollins. Last month, SummerSlam weekend featured Jushin Thunder Liger, 50, make a special appearance for NXT while The Undertaker, 50, main evented the big-four pay-per-view.