In June 2002, a rookie John Cena made his WWE main roster debut by answering an open challenge and confronting Kurt Angle. That moment kicked off one of the most decorated careers in the company’s history. While a final match between the two would have provided a poetic bookend to Cena’s career, Angle has now confirmed that possibility will remain in the past.
Speaking on the Mic Check with Mr Anderson podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer stated he is not physically capable of wrestling again, ending any speculation about a match during Cena’s ongoing retirement tour.
I wish I could, man, I can’t. That would be very tempting, but there’s just no way possible. I’ve had my knees replaced, I have to have my shoulders replaced. I had five neck surgeries, two back surgeries. My body just is really banged up, there’s really nothing I can do.
The two competitors last faced each other in a televised singles match in early 2006, where Angle won a First Blood match on RAW. Their last time sharing a ring was as opponents in the RAW vs. SmackDown elimination match at Survivor Series in November 2017.
Cena’s retirement tour is set to conclude in December of this year. His most recent match was a victory over Logan Paul at Clash in Paris on August 31. With Angle now officially out of the running for a final encounter, focus shifts to other potential opponents.
A major rumored match for Cena is against the recently returned Brock Lesnar at Wrestlepalooza on September 20. Lesnar made a surprising return at SummerSlam on August 3, attacking Cena with an F-5 following his WWE Undisputed Championship match against Cody Rhodes. While reports suggest this high-profile match is planned for the upcoming event in Indianapolis, it has not yet been officially confirmed by WWE.
As of now, the only match announced for Wrestlepalooza is for the vacant Women’s World Championship between IYO SKY and Stephanie Vaquer. With Lesnar advertised for the two SmackDown episodes leading into the event, an answer regarding his potential clash with Cena is expected soon.