Kurt Angle was interviewed by CBR.com and said that WWE offered him a role as a manager for Matt Riddle on SmackDown, but he turned it down.
“WWE has offered me a job to manage him,” Angle said. “Unfortunately, I turned it down due to a few different reasons, but I would have loved to manage him. It just wasn’t the right time.”
Angle also praised Riddle in the same interview. “I think that Matt Riddle is going to be one of the faces of [WWE], he has all the ability. His personality is great. At first, it’s a little odd. But once you get to know him, he’s very likable. And that’s what he’s going to get from the fans. They’re going to love this kid. And he proves it in the ring. He’s phenomenal in the ring. There’s no doubt about that. But his whole bro gimmick thing works really well. And he’s going to do extremely well.”
Angle announced Riddle’s move to SmackDown in a video that aired on SmackDown on Friday.
Angle was released by WWE on April 15 but can be used by WWE within 90 days of the release.

WWE SmackDown Notes: Cody Rhodes Says He’s Medically Cleared, Ricky Saints Makes SmackDown Debut, Gunther Appears & Attacks Rhodes, The Miz Fakes Out Being Danhausen’s Mentor & Attacks Him, Sami Zayn vs. Trick Williams for WWE US Title and More Set for Backlash 2026, 5/8 Show Card
Various: CMLL Reportedly Expected Santos Ecobar To Join Before He Re-Signed with WWE, Mustafa Ali vs. Mystery Opponent for TNA International Title Set for 5/15 TNA Impact! Tapings, Indies/Misc.
5/2 AAA TV Notes: El Hijo del Vikingo vs. El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. for AAA Latin American Title Set for AAA Noche de Los Grandes 2026, Galeno del Mal Makes Surprise Appearance, The Creed Bros Appears & Attacks El Grande Americano, 5/9 Show Card




