USA TODAY Sports

After plenty of speculation regarding Kurt Angle potentially jumping ship to WWE, the TNA Hall of Famer has now re-signed with Impact Wrestling, according to former WWE and WCW creative writer Vince Russo on his podcast "The Swerve."

Following an interview with Angle, Russo revealed that the legendary star told him that he will return to TNA despite whispers that a WWE comeback was potentially in the cards.

"Kurt basically tweeted me back today and he said, 'Vince, it's still unofficial, but I have no problem telling you or you announcing or you saying on your show that I'm going to go back to work for TNA,'" Russo said.

In addition to that, TNA has released promotional material that includes Angle's name, per Discovery Communications (via wrestlingrumors.net):



Discovery Communications announced today that it has signed a multi-year deal with TNA (Total Nonstop Action) IMPACT WRESTLING to bring the popular league to homes nationwide on Destination America, the only network dedicated to celebrating the people, places and stories of the United States. Destination America officially enters the ring with its first world premiere of IMPACT WRESTLING in January 2015. The series features some of the biggest names in professional wrestling, including Jeff Hardy, Bobby Roode, Kurt Angle, Bobby Lashley and Gail Kim. The partnership includes the U.S. premieres of additional TNA WRESTLING series and specials and provides Discovery Communications with international broadcasting rights in select regions, to be announced at a later date.

The Olympic gold medalist and five-time TNA World Heavyweight champion has been with Impact Wrestling since departing WWE in 2006. While The American Hero has had an incredible run with TNA, a large portion of the professional wrestling fanbase has long clamored for Angle to have one last run where it all began.

Despite those sentiments, Angle is seemingly satisfied with extending his eight-year run as part of TNA. Angle is arguably the single most important figure in the history of the promotion, and there is no doubt that losing him would have been an absolutely huge blow to Impact Wrestling.

While rumblings regarding Angle going back to WWE have existed ever since he first left, they intensified in a big way back in July. On an episode of WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross' podcast The Ross Report (h/t ProWrestling.net), Angle revealed that his TNA contract was set to expire on Sept. 21.

He also discussed turning down a contract offer from TNA in order to explore the possibility of potentially returning to WWE.

After the interview, Ross made it clear that he felt the 45-year-old veteran could still get the job done in professional wrestling's top company:

Angle created even more intrigue in an interview with Ring Rust Radio less than two weeks before the expiration of his TNA contract. In addition to revealing that a decision was on the horizon, Angle also provided a new timetable for his return from ACL surgery:

Well right now I'm not at liberty to say where I'm going, but I will tell you I'm going to do the right thing for me and my family. I am in the process of structuring a deal and I do have a company in mind. I haven't said yes because I want to make it a public thing with the company and myself. I can't really say who it is or where I'm going but I can tell you it's going to happen in the next two weeks before my contract is even up. I won't be wrestling until January, but there will be a signing in the next couple of weeks.

Some might have misconstrued Angle's January return estimate as a hint at returning to WWE. The Royal Rumble pay-per-view will be held in January 2015, and there is no question that Angle would have been an ideal candidate to be an entrant in the Royal Rumble match.

At the same time, his comments could have set off negative warning signals to those who wanted to see him back in WWE. Announcing his intention to make a decision before the expiration of his TNA contract was probably a clue that his intention was to re-sign with Impact Wrestling.

When push came to shove, Angle apparently decided that TNA was best for both himself and his family. Staying put most definitely comes with some major risks, though.

There was certainly some concern regarding TNA's future after its television deal with SpikeTV expired, but Impact Wrestling recently found a new home with Destination America.

Angle understands that he is still an extremely valuable asset even at this juncture of his career, and it is tough to imagine him being anything less than calculating as it relates to what could be his final professional wrestling contract.

Although Angle re-signing with TNA doesn't necessarily eliminate the possibility of him going back to WWE one day in some capacity, it undoubtedly makes it far less likely that Angle will ever have another WWE match.

If that is indeed the case, Angle had an incredible run with WWE regardless. He has also made an indelible mark on TNA, and he is now in position to further cement his legacy.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter