Kurt Angle is one of John Cena’s most iconic rivals, but the Olympic Gold Medalist has confirmed he won’t be stepping back into the ring for Cena’s highly anticipated 2025 retirement tour.
Angle and Cena shared the ring nearly 100 times between 2003 and 2006, crafting a storied rivalry that fans still celebrate today. Their last encounter occurred at Survivor Series 2017, where Team RAW (Braun Strowman, Finn Balor, Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe, and Triple H) triumphed over Team SmackDown (John Cena, Randy Orton, Shane McMahon, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Bobby Roode).
As Cena prepares for his final year as an active competitor, many wrestlers have expressed interest in facing him one last time to etch their names in history. However, Angle will not be among them.
No. No, listen, my body … I have knee replacements, I had five neck surgeries, I had my back surgery last year. I have to have shoulder replacements. I am in no condition to be getting in the ring and wrestling… I don’t think I can get in the ring. I can probably get in the ring and wrestle, but I don’t want to take the chance of getting injured.”
– Kurt Angle on the possibility of wrestling John Cena in 2025 (Sports Illustrated)
Angle’s final match took place five years ago at WrestleMania 35, where he faced Baron Corbin in a losing effort. Reflecting on that bout in a recent interview, Angle expressed frustration with how WWE squandered Corbin, especially after he put the younger star over during his farewell match.
Meanwhile, John Cena has a packed schedule as he approaches his retirement. He is slated to appear at the WWE Raw Netflix premiere on January 6 and has already announced himself as the first entrant in the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble Match, scheduled for February 1.