Kurt Angle predicts UK WrestleMania ‘within five years’ as he’s unveiled as WWE 2K18 pre-order bonus

Wrestling legend Kurt Angle has claimed the WWE’s showpiece event, WrestleMania, could be held in the UK “within the next five years”.

The Olympic gold medallist and WWE Hall of Famer made the suggestion as he was unveiled as the pre-order bonus character for WWE 2K18, this year’s instalment of the flagship wrestling video game.

Angle’s inclusion means that those fans and gamers who choose to pre-order ahead of its release will be able to play as both versions of Angle’s character.

On the possibility of WrestleMania taking place in the UK, Angle said: “Oh I think it’ll happen. I’m actually betting on it.

“I think that within the next five years – not that I’ve got any information – but I know the direction WWE is going with the UK and I know how important the UK is to the WWE.

“I know they’re investing time and money in the UK, so that’s going to happen, definitely.”

The annual event, which has taken place every spring since 1985 and is the biggest show in the industry calendar, has never been held outside of the US.

However, another of WWE’s big shows – SummerSlam – has taken place in the UK before. In 1992 the event was hosted at Wembley Stadium.

In a further nod to the UK’s growing influence, WWE also launched its first UK-focused title belt this year – the United Kingdom Championship – which is currently held by Pete Dunne.

Chris Snyder from the game’s publisher 2K said: “Kurt Angle has been the most fan-requested Superstar in the WWE 2K franchise for some time now, so it’s a pleasure to celebrate his popularity and incredible career through this year’s WWE 2K18 pre-order offer.

“His WWE and amateur wrestling achievements are also a perfect fit to help carry the torch for this year’s ‘Be Like No One’ worldwide marketing campaign. There’s no question Kurt succeeds on his own terms in everything he does.”