Who Should Face Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania 35?

With Kurt Angle making the announcement that will be retiring from in-ring competition with his farewell match taking place at this years Wrestlemania there is great speculation as to who the Hall of Famer should challenge next month. In today’s blog post I’m going to be looking at five potential opponents for Angle both personal favourites and picks that appear to be more likely. As always you can have your say and let me know who you want to see Angle face at Mania by leaving a comment below!

Drew McIntyre

A man that falls into both brackets as a personal favourite and likely option to face Kurt Angle at this years Wrestlemania is former NXT Champion, Drew McIntyre. McIntyre has an interesting run on the main roster so far full of highs and lows but overall his booking has been smart and solid. He’s gaining momentum regularly, taken part in strong one on one competition and has already defeated Angle on an episode of RAW. Heading into Wrestlemania McIntyre is a man still in need of a big matchup for the night and taking on Angle in a contest that could see Drew become an even bigger star makes for a match I know I would personally have an interest in. We know we could get a great match out of these two, there’s history between the pair and McIntyre would massively benefit from squaring off against Angle and ending his career for good.

AJ Styles

While it appears as though AJ Styles has entered a program with Randy Orton heading into Wrestlemania, I can’t help but  feel as though WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle would make for a far stronger Mania opponent for the phenomenal one. While it may not be as popular of an opinion I do feel as though fans would witness a stronger contest between Styles and Angle rather than Styles and Orton and the match would go down as a major selling point for this year's Mania event. However, while sure to put fans in seats, excite the WWE Universe and standout on the card its clear this match would appear very random and it's evident there are many stars on the roster who would benefit from facing Angle on the greatest stage of them all much more!

Bobby Lashley

It’s a match I’ve spoken about before and after Lashley walked out of this weeks episode of Monday Night RAW the new Intercontinental Champion a one on one match up between the destroyer and Angle doesn’t appear to be as far fetched or random as we may think. We know the pair have a history outside the WWE and their chemistry is evident whenever they share the spotlight. Lashley is a man with so much potential and so much to show the WWE universe all he needs, however, is a chance and a moment to shine. Put him in the ring with Angle, book him to end the career of the Hall of Famer and push Lashley even stronger as a monster heel and he could walk out of Wrestlemania one of the most interesting and talked about RAW talents.

John Cena

This one is another personal favourite of mine but I’m sure it comes as no surprise to see John Cena in this list. As for John Cena and Wrestlemania thirty-five plans go there isn’t much to currently go off and while there are plenty of booking options for the future Hall of Famer, taking on Kurt Angle, on the grandest stage of them, all may just be one of the best and most exciting options for him. There is, of course, so much history between these two stars and it really does make for a feel-good moment and story to see John Cena go down as Angles last WWE Opponent after Angle was Cena’s first. The two are in completely different stages of their careers to when they first encountered and the story and the journey there is something so special it screams Wrestlemania worthy.

Lars Sullivan

It’s been a while since we last spoke about Lars Sullivan after rumoured panic attacks set back his WWE main roster debut, however, he remains a firm personal favourite of mine and I do still believe a push and great things await him on whatever brand he eventually lands on. There was originally great talk of Sullivan taking on Cena at this year’s Wrestlemania event, but it appears as though a new and maybe even stronger opportunity may just have opened for the former NXT star. If the WWE can set up a segment that sees Lars Sullivan attack Angle next week on RAW and set out to end the career of Angle, it could create a career making and changing moment for Sullivan as he kick stars his main roster run. This is a man who truly deserves a chance and I do believe this could be an interesting booking decision for Sullivan heading into a huge debut match!

Finn Balor

After dropping the IC Championship to Bobby Lashley this week on RAW there is again speculation as to what awaits Finn Balor next and to be fair there are plenty of options. I will be talking more about what the WWE could do with Balor in the next twelve months in an up and coming blog post but for now, we must explore the option of the former Universal champion going one on one in a dream match at Wrestlemania against Kurt Angle. In a different approach to many that we have spoken about today, I would love to see a set up that involves Kurt Angle hand picking Balor to face next month at Mania. The decision for Kurt to hand pick Finn in the first place would be a major deal and already set Balor up for greatness. This is a perfect way for Balor to bounce back from his IC title loss and kick start a new beginning for Balor whether he wins or loses at Mania against the Hall of Famer.

Roman Reigns

And the final name I want to discuss in today’s blog post is Roman Reigns. This one pretty much writes itself. There is no bigger way for Reigns to bounce back than a huge Wrestlemania match up against Kurt Angle. While the WWE may have plenty of other directions for the big dog walking to Mania this is most certainly a fresh new option that could also go down a treat! It continues to push Reigns as a major story and main event talent without throwing him into a championship picture too soon. This is the start of Reigns bouncing right back to the top, gaining momentum and proving his place on the roster today. A respectful one on one contest between an all-time great and the future of the WWE tells a basic yet must and entertaining story/match.

And that is my list! There were, of course, other names I would have loved to have included but I would love to know who you would add to this list so feel free to leave a comment below or tweet me over at @TezangiVictoria.

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