Kurt Angle On What Vince McMahon Told Him About Baron Corbin Being His Final Opponent

Kurt Angle was lucky enough to have a long and successful career as a wrestler, but he officially hung up the boots a few months ago after he was defeated by Baron Corbin in his farewell match at WrestleMania 35.

When it was revealed that Baron Corbin would be Kurt’s final opponent, the match wasn’t exactly met with a positive response from fans, and during a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio Kurt Angle explained how it all came together.

“Okay well, you know what? I’m gonna tell you guys the way it is, and what truly happened. Baron and I worked in a program after Jason Jordan went out [with an injury]. Vince McMahon, I think he basically — and this is my opinion — he said, ‘You know what, if Jason’s not gonna be around, we’re gonna use this guy, Baron Corbin.’ So I think that in a lot of ways, Baron ended up in Jason’s position. And rightfully so. I love Baron’s progress, I loved his look. He’s actually really good, and he takes care of you in the ring. He’s not stiff, he is a great worker. And he’s continuing to learn.”

The WWE Hall of Famer went on to say that Vince didn’t know he wanted to retire at WrestleMania 35, and if he had made it to next year’s WrestleMania he likely would have had a different opponent.

“But the whole concept of Angle vs. Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35, it occurred because that’s where we were going in the first place. And what occurred was, Vince didn’t know that I wanted to retire at this WrestleMania. So when I sprung it on him about five weeks before WrestleMania, I gave him a list of guys that I wanted to wrestle, and the person that I wanted to wrestle at WrestleMania. So we start having these farewell matches before Mania. But what Vince told me is, ‘I know who you want for WrestleMania,’ which was John Cena. ‘I was expecting you to go to WrestleMania 36, where I could have given you a different opponent,’ one of the ones that I wanted. ‘But we have been working this program for a year, and we’re not just going to drop it. So if you want want to retire this year, your last match will be against Baron.’ And I was cool with it! I understood, and I respected Vince’s decision.”

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H/T 411 Mania.