After the loss, the Kurt Angle invitational would continue, with Kurt nearly losing to former school teacher Matt Striker, and finally losing his gold medals to Eugene. Angle would regain the medals at SummerSlam and, after battling Shawn Michaels to a draw at WWE Homecoming, would turn his attention to WWE Champion John Cena.

Angle defeated Cena by disqualification at Unforgiven and, allied with Eric Bischoff, appeared to have a legitimate shot at winning (or stealing) the gold.

But it was not to be. Despite title shots against Cena at Taboo Tuesday and at New Year's Revolution, Angle never defeated Cena for the title. Instead, in a shocking move, Angle moved to Smackdown and, on January 13th, 2006, won a 20 man battle royale to fill the vacant World Championship.

After taking on Shawn Michaels on Angle's last night on Raw, Angle dumped Daivari after Daivari cost Angle the match. Daivari retaliated by allying himself with Mark Henry but Henry could not oust Angle as World Champion at the Royal Rumble.

Victorious at the Rumble, Angle's night was spoiled when the Undertaker arrived on the scene and challenged him for the title at the upcoming No Way Out pay-per-view.