TNA Conference Call: Kurt Angle Talks Retirement, EC3 Talks WWE, Hype Match For Next Week's Impact

Welcome to Wrestling Inc's coverage of TNA's conference call featuring TNA World Champion Kurt Angle, and top contender Ethan Carter III.

* We get opening statements from TNA, pushing next week's Impact, featuring EC3 vs. Kurt Angle for the world title.

* Angle and EC3 are asked what moment was their favorite in TNA Slammiversary history. Angle can't single out one in particular, but says he's had good matches there. EC3 asks for a moment of silence for a member of his barbershop quartet that was Angle slammed. He says his match with Bully Ray at last year's Slammiversary was his favorite Slammiversary moment.

* Angle said that that his experience factor really came into play when he showed up in TNA, saying that a light bulb went off. Angle then says he'll probably retire in the next two years.

* Angle says he thinks the match with EC3 has been built tremendously, and always knew EC3 was going to be the guy to beat. He says he had a knee injury in their first match. EC3 says he enjoys the slow build.

* Angle says Destination America has supported him as champion, and thinks it has to do with his Olympic background. He thinks EC3's campaign is great, but he's earned the spot. Angle says he knows EC3 will become champion. EC3 asks me if I got the fruit basket he sent me, I did, it was glorious and he spared no expense. He says ultimately it comes down to the ring, but the campaign was a political move to put his name out there to get a title shot that he already deserved.

* EC3 is asked about his time in WWE developmental and if he'd go back. He says right now that isn't a door he has open, he wants to be the best in TNA.

* Kurt Angle hasn't given WWE much thought, and he's not considering hanging up the boots any time soon.

* Angle is asked about UK, and he talks about how important the UK market is. EC3 thinks TNA should do a PPV there, if only to shave Rockstar Spud's head again.

* EC3 sounds pleased that the title match will be on Destination America.

* Angle says he puts pressure on himself and EC3 to steal the show. EC3 says if the match isn't good, you can blame it on him, but it will be good. EC3 says he's thought about this match for a long time, dating back to WWE.

* Angle said he would love to wrestle Ken Shamrock and really puts him over for his accomplishments. He said Shamrock was on of his inspirations. He wants to wrestle him and doesn't know if Shamrock would be interested. EC3 said he'd pay money to watch those two break each other's ankles.

* Kurt Angle calls Rockstar Spud a special talent.

* Angle says we haven't seen a 25-minute knock down drag out match out of EC3, and he's getting that out of him next Wednesday.

* EC3 says the win streak won't end with Angle, and of course Angle says it will. He says EC3 would probably rather lose to Angle than Rockstar Spud.

* EC3 says the saying "You're not as good as you once were, but as good as you'll ever be" is horsesh-t as it pertains to Angle: He's the best.

* Angle is asked who deserves a world title shot. He says no matter what, he wouldn't be surprised to see a rematch at Bound For Glory.

* Angle says that EC3's best quality is how entertaining he is, but he's a rare talent that has it across the board. He compares EC3 to John Cena and himself.

* Angle says TNA hired people who weren't best for business and took a hit financially and dropped really hard. He wants it back to where it was in 2008 and 2009. He puts over the creative team at TNA.

* EC3 says the locker room is determined and ready to excel. They have the pieces, they just have to put them together.

* As the call ends, Angle tells EC3 he'll text him.