Kurt Angle has officially confirmed his in-ring career is over. The 56-year-old WWE Hall of Famer cited his deteriorating physical health as the definitive reason for hanging up his boots for good.
The announcement came during a recent appearance on Mic Check with Mr. Anderson. When the conversation turned to John Cena’s ongoing retirement tour, Angle was asked if he would be tempted to face the 17-time world champion one last time. Angle dismissed the possibility entirely.
“I wish I could, man. I can’t,” Angle stated. “That would be very tempting, but there’s just no way possible. I have had my knees replaced; I now need 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 question was prompted by Cena’s high-profile farewell run, which is set to continue tomorrow, August 31, when he faces Logan Paul at Clash in Paris. Cena’s tour is scheduled to conclude with his final match on December 13 at a special “Saturday Night’s Main Event.”
Angle’s last official match took place at WrestleMania 35, where he lost to Baron Corbin. While he has made sporadic WWE appearances in the years since, he has not competed in the ring.