By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

TNA star Kurt Angle says his TNA contract expires on September 21, and he is not a lock to re-sign with the company.

Angle went so far as to talk about TNA contract negotiations in the past tense when discussing his current standing in the latest "Ross Report" podcast with Jim Ross.

"I considered staying. They offered me a multi-year deal, but I told them I need time to think about it," Angle said.

"Because this next contract is going to be my last - whether WWE or TNA - this is it and where I'm going to retire. I have to really think about it the next few months and see where I want to go."

Angle said he definitely cannot work a full-time schedule considering his age, physical health, recent knee surgery, and also now feeling the effects of wrestling now that he's trying to kick pain medications.

"Being off the pain medication and staying clean and sober, you tend to feel your body a little more... and things that you were masking prior to that," Angle said.

"I know that I cannot work 300 days a year anymore. I know that I'm going to have to go part-time wherever I go."

Angle said he does not know when his knee will be completely healed to wrestle again, but he is aiming for October. Angle added that he does not want to rush back to the ring, but he is ahead of schedule, according to his doctors.

The question is whether WWE would be able to medically clear Angle to wrestle again considering his history of neck injuries. Angle claimed to Ross that he has not had major neck issues in nine years, but various neck-related situations in WWE include Edge forced to retire, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin possibly not being cleared if he goes about the process of having one more match, and Daniel Bryan's career in limbo.

[ LINK: The latest Ross Report episode featuring Kurt Angle can be found HERE at PodcastOne.com ]

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

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