Kurt Angle believes WWE could’ve done more with Baron Corbin.
Earlier this month, Corbin confirmed that WWE would not be renewing his contract when it expired, ending his run with the company. Corbin had been with WWE since 2012, winning the United States Championship and NXT Tag Team Championship during his tenure. He was also a Money in the Bank Ladder Match and King of the Ring tournament winner, and for some time, it seemed like he was being built as a future star.
Kurt Angle will forever be linked to Corbin in WWE history, as Corbin beat Angle at WrestleMania 35 in the latter’s retirement match. Angle recently spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard about Corbin’s WWE exit, sharing that it’s unfortunate to see him get cut, especially since it felt like WWE didn’t capitalize on what Corbin offered the company.
Kurt Angle on Baron Corbin
“Baron, I think he’s underrated. I think it kinda sucks [seeing him get let go]. They started utilizing him the way they should have. They had him beat me, which I was okay with,” Angle said. “It was my last match. And obviously, you are going to lose your last match when you retire. But, Baron after that, he ended up winning King of The Ring. And then nothing else happened with him.
“It’s a little disappointing to know that he beat a legend at WrestleMania, the legend’s last match. And they didn’t do much with him after that. For me, it makes me feel like I did that for nothing,” Angle admitted. “And — so, it’s not like a ‘Screw You Angle,’ but it kinda is. I thought they were gonna run with the kid. I thought they were going to make him one of the top-tier guys and he was on his way.”
Angle knows WWE changed Corbin’s character a few times, and questioned if the company just didn’t have something that stuck. However, he was quick to point out that Corbin was at his best when he wasn’t playing a character.
“Maybe that’s why they let him go, they couldn’t find that character. But Baron had a great personality,” Angle added. “He didn’t need a character. He could be him, he was entertaining as it is. So, I was just a little disappointed that they didn’t do much with him and then they let him go.”
Kurt Angle says Corbin could’ve been a good ambassador for the company
Pritchard mentioned past interviews with Corbin, feeling like he could’ve still been an asset to the company. Angle agreed that Corbin could’ve been a good fit as an ambassador, similar to how Titus O’Neil transitioned into that role for the company.
“He is [a good ambassador for WWE]. He’s very well-spoken. He is very intelligent. Definitely. And he is an incredible athlete. So, I’m just surprised,” Angle said. “You are right, they could have just used him as an ambassador. Just like they have Titus. So, I think they could have done the same thing with Baron. I think they could have utilized him properly. Yes.”
Watch our full interview with Kurt Angle below. You can also learn more about Kurt Angle and USA Wrestling’s fundraising efforts for Olympic athletes here.
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