“John Stepped Up Big Time”- WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle Recalls His Best Match With John Cena

Kurt Angle had a very long and prolific wrestling career, during which he managed to take his talents to three different promotions, namely ECW, WWE, and TNA (now IMPACT). His work in the industry is immeasurable, and he is definitely one of the best. 

Apart from a lifelong collection of accolades, Kurt Angle had a series of great matches with some of the best WWE had to offer. He fought The Rock, The Undertaker, and notably, even a young John Cena.

The Hall of Famer has a clear memory of his fight with Cena at No Way Out 2005 and referred to it as one of the better matches he had with the future 16-time World Champion.

“It was an incredible match. I think that John stepped up big time,” admitted Angle, speaking on The Kurt Angle Show. “He was really hot at the time, so was I, you know as a heel, half the fans loved me, half the fans hated me.” 

“I couldn’t get a hundred percent to hate me but you know, I guess it had a lot to do with having a good reputation as an in-ring worker and entertainer so, you know the match with John was I think one of our best matches that we did,” said the Hall of Famer. 

Kurt Angle felt John Cena made him look good in the fight

The Olympic Gold medalist was impressed with Cena’s work in the ring and felt that he was experienced beyond his years. In fact, Angle actually felt that John Cena made him look good in the fight!

“I give him credit for that because he wasn’t in the business that long. He was only in there for you know, I think three years at most so John did an incredible job and he really stepped up,” stated Angle. “He actually made me look good, so I can’t take all the credit for it. I believe John deserves some of the credit too.”

Apart from facing John Cena, Kurt Angle has the unique achievement of being one of the only Superstars to successfully make Cena tap out.

Following the start of his ‘Never Give Up’ gimmick, Cena literally never quit, which made him a regular heroic winner in ‘I Quit’ matches. However, Angle made a younger Cena submit like there was no tomorrow with his notorious Ankle Lock.

Despite retiring from WWE, Kurt Angle still maintains his impressive physique and stays true to his reputation of being a talented athletic in and out of the ring.