Angle explained that Austin would make around $13 million off his merchandise alone, and that this amount on top of his contract was why "The Rattlesnake" ended up making far more than anyone else. "I was horrible at it [selling merch], I didn't come up with ideas, I wish I would have!" he recalled. "You know, Stone Cold Steve Austin was great at it, he got it right away. He said 'I'm going to make a character and I'm gonna make a lot of money with this character." Angle then admitted that he didn't do this, and simply came into WWE to wrestle.

"I didn't come in with a business mindset, and I should have," the veteran lamented. Looking back, Angle claims he was lucky to get his million-dollar guaranteed contract, since he wasn't always pushing to make more money and was more focused on looking good in his matches.

"I should have had a better business mind when I started, because I could have made a lot more money, definitely sold a lot more merchandise!" Over the years Angle has often praised Austin, even going so far as to describe him as his dream WrestleMania opponent.