Kurt Angle taking a break from pro wrestling when TNA contract expires

Former Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle has been on the shelf since mid-Summer when he dropped TNA's World title to Ethan Carter III amidst reports of complications from surgery to remove a benign tumor from his oft-repaired neck. He is slated to return to the promotion, itself in the midst of the latest round of rumors that it is on its last legs, for their Bound for Glory pay-per-view (PPV) in October.

But as a guest earlier today on Mark Madden's radio show in Angle's hometown of Pittsburgh, the 46 year old announced that his wrestling future beyond 2015 is on hold. His TNA contract - a deal he signed late last year after his pursuit of a part-time arrangement with WWE failed - is up in January, and Kurt told Madden that he would not re-sign, regardless of the health of Dixie Carter's company.

Angle also made it clear that he would not pursue a WWE deal at that time, instead taking a sabbatical from the profession he's worked for the last nineteen years.

As an aging athlete with a lot of miles on his body, who is also in recovery from alcohol and substance abuse addiction, some time off from taking bumps and traveling should certainly assist in breaking a string of injuries that the TNA Hall of Famer has dealt with over the past decade-plus. He has claimed in the past that he was going to slow down, only to head back on the road and into the ring in short order, so we'll see if this one sticks.

In the meantime, October 4 in Charlotte, North Carolina may be the last major televised event where we'll be able to see the six time WWE and TNA World champion in the foreseeable future.

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