Home

WWE

“Didn’t Like What I Saw” – Multi-Time World Champion Reveals Vince McMahon Denying Him the Honor of Getting Retired by John Cena

Published Aug 31, 2023 | 3:30 PM EDT

Follow Us

via Imago

On what would have been a fitting end to his career, a four-time WWE Champion recently revealed that he was denied the opportunity to wrestle John Cena during his last match. The WWE Hall of Famer, Kurt Angle retired in 2019, following a defeat to Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35. Fans and critics weren’t impressed by the decision and it seems like they could have had it much better.

According to a recent interview, Angle said that he had initially asked Vince McMahon for Cena to end his career at WWE, as he planned on retiring soon. Especially since Cena had debuted with him over 20 years ago, kickstarting his career and making him a household name.

Angle wanted John Cena to retire him

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In 2002, Cena made his official WWE debut on an episode of SmackDown! against Kurt Angle. Cena, who was part of the legendary OVW 4 alongside Dave Bautista, Brock Lesnar, and Randy Orton, would quickly rise through the ranks of WWE to become a household name. A feat very few achieve.

Trending

Tony Khan Set to Become “Very Profitable” With AEW, Timeline Revealed After $100 Million Investment

“It Does Suck”: Ricky Starks Reveals Why Tony Khan Isn’t Putting Him on TV Despite Crowd Support

Tony Khan & Triple H Reportedly to Offer Women’s Star More Than Mercedes Mone’s Alleged $10Million Deal

Dominik Mysterio in Hot Water With Rhea Ripley Again After More ‘Two-Timing’ Proof Arises

“Disgusting”: Liv Morgan Told to Press Charges Online After Cop’s Privacy Breach Act in Arrest Footage

Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Kurt Angle told Van Vliet that he had hoped to end his career in a match against Cena. Especially since the wrestler-turned-actor started his WWE career opposite Angle.

“I asked Vince, ‘Hey, can I have John Cena? ‘Because I started his career. I think it’d be proper if he ended my career.’ And Vince said, ‘No, you have Baron Corbin. You’ve been doing a program with him for six months. You have to continue. But if you want Cena, you can have it next year,’” he told the podcast host.

But, as history knows, that’s quite not what happened.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Angle says he had the option but didn’t want to take it

Despite Vince McMahon allowing Angle to take on Cena for his last match, Angle seemed to be in a hurry to retire. With Angle in a program with the much younger Corbin, he had already decided to retire at WrestleMania 35 in 2019. “I was a half a step behind. I looked like I was old. When I was wrestling, I didn’t like what I saw,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Hence Angle didn’t take up the option of wrestling Cena in his last match since he felt he wasn’t up to the mark and may not have been able to deliver. But in pro wrestling never say never, it is possible that Cena and Angle may square off again to hand the Olympic gold medalist a perfect retirement match.

Watch This Story- Heartfelt Video of Cody Rhodes Granting a ‘Make-A-Wish’ Is the Best Thing You Will See on the Internet Today

Written by:

Donna Eva

6Articles

One take at a time

Donna is a WWE writer at EssentiallySports. After completing her bachelor's in English, Journalism and Psychology she worked as a senior reporter for the leading newspaper covering education, science, technology and space. In a never ending pursuit to learn more, she enjoys the diverse and entertaining stories that the wrestling world has to offer, both in the ring and out.
Show More>

Edited by:

Sherjeel Malik