The "Ask the Specialists" Roundtable is the latest spin-off from the "Ask the Torch" feature. CSI led to CSI: New York and CSI: Miami, which is where you'll find the Specialists tackling a daily topic submitted by PWTorch readers to askpwtorch@gmail.com.

Ask the Specialists Roundtable #49

- Question from PWTorch reader Jeff in Michigan: If Kurt Angle could have one last match in WWE, who should his opponent be? Rusev, Jack Swagger, Shelton Benjamin, Dolph Ziggler, C.M. Punk, John Cena, etc.?

- "Hits & Misses" Jon Mezzera responds: This is hard for me to answer since I have zero interest in seeing Kurt Angle wrestle again anywhere and it is hard to imagine him actually passing a WWE physical. Also, from a nostalgic standpoint, Angle's three best opponents in WWE were Chris Benoit who is dead, Shawn Michaels who is retired, and Brock Lesnar who should not be facing another part-time special attraction opponent at this point. So, I don't have a strong feeling about seeing him take on one of his great opponents one more time.

As far as new opponents, none of the realistic choices gets me excited. Rusev would make storyline sense, but be a terrible match. I guess you could do something with Jack Swagger where Angle is proving that he is the Real American, and the match has potential to be good, but is Swagger big enough to get that spot against Angle? I guess if Angle were actually healthy, I would just like see him face Daniel Bryan as it would be the best match. They can find a way to get to the match that makes as much sense as Swagger or Rusev with some competent writing.

- "Common Fan" Jimmy Eaton (@TheCommonFan) responds: Good question, Jeff. C.M. Punk would be my answer for almost everyone, but I'll go on a limb and say (If healthy and cleared) that it's Daniel Bryan. That would be an absolute clinic. Not that Angle is in great condition himself being injured, but he could certainly get himself into shape for a match of that caliber. I would have said Bret Hart many years ago but alas, that won't happen. If not Bryan, maybe another rising star like Dean Ambrose. A lot of talent to choose from, that's for sure.

- "Mr. PPV" Nathan Kyght responds: Thanks for the question, Jeff. I still think that Kurt Angle back in a WWE ring is a very big "if," as I just don't see the company wanted to take the chance considering Angle's well-documented injuries and personal issues. I'd think it would be much more likely that he ends up there with a Legends deal in a few years time to make appearances.

Still, Angle is a tremendous wrestler and if the planets aligned and he had one more match in him, I'd like to see him wrestle Daniel Bryan. Bryan is unfortunately another question mark while we wait to hear how his neck rehabilitation goes, but in terms of just fantasy booking, that would be my match preference.

- "Mr. TV" Justin James (@Justin_M_James) responds: Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, and Daniel Bryan are the only folks on the WWE roster with the ring experience to have a safe (and great) match with Kurt Angle, who have enough star power so that the match makes sense, and would actually be in a position to benefit from such a match. Everyone else is either fantasy booking because they are not on the roster (Punk, Benjamin), would have a bad match (Cena, Rusev, Reigns) or possibly jeopardize Angle’s health (Reigns, Rusev), would be a mis-match in star power (Ziggler, Swagger), or would not have a real payoff (Cena).

- "Falls Count Anywhere" Tony Donofrio (@TonyDonofrio) responds: There are a handful of guys that would work brilliantly with Kurt Angle. One would’ve been C.M. Punk, but that now won’t happen. The rest of the short list would start with Daniel Bryan or Cesaro. Angle and either of those two could put on a wrestling clinic. I’d even love to see an Iron Man match with Angle and either of those opponent, even if it was of the 30-minute variety.

Two other names I could think of are Rusev and Brock Lesnar. Rusev, of course would deal with the national ties to both men. Lesnar and Angle have always had great matches and I’d love to see them do it one more time. Angle would also have an amazing match with Dolph Ziggler, I’m sure. But, with how WWE seems to not want to pull the trigger on a real push for Ziggler, I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one if/when Angle makes a return. I also have no doubts that Angle would have a good match with Jack Swagger. However, if we are talking “one final match," I think the best opponent would be a Daniel Bryan or Cesaro because their skill sets remind me of the chemistry that Angle used to have with guys like Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels.

- "Showstopper" Shawn Valentino responds: Thanks for your question, Jeff. If Kurt Angle could come back to have one last match in WWE, I would have a short list of opponents that he could shine with both in the ring and on the microphone. A re-match with Brock Lesnar, now having beaten The Streak, comes to mind. I think he could have some entertaining television with Bray Wyatt. Roman Reigns could benefit from facing a heel Angle. Seth Rollins would be an athletic opponent that Angle could toss around. Daniel Bryan would be a dream match and so would C.M. Punk if he comes back. Angle is such a versatile wrestler that his return would bring all types of exciting possibilities.

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[ FYI: The specialists consist of a mix of current PWTorch contributors providing their opinion on today's wrestling scene and modern wrestling history questions, including Shawn Valentino, Michael Moore, Ben Tucker, Jon Mezzera, Justin James, Brian Leahy, Jimmy Eaton, Nathan Kyght, Tony Donofrio, and Mike Roe. ]

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

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