Kurt Angle

From the day he was born, Kurt Angle’s life was about proving that he was the absolute best in whatever he did. Years of dedication led to a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Summer Games. Kurt decided to enter the professional wrestling industry, and he knew that if he was to succeed he needed to take a serious approach. After Angle graduated from the world-renowned Funkin’ Conservatory, he debuted in WWE in 1999.

In February 2000, he defeated Val Venis for the European Championship on SmackDown, and days later beat Chris Jericho for the Intercontinental Championship at No Way Out. In October, he defeated The Rock at No Mercy for his first WWE Championship. Angle showed he was for real when he defeated “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Rock, Undertaker, Triple H and Rikishi in a Hell in a Cell Match at Armageddon.

In 2001, Angle’s incredible achievements continued as he won the King of the Ring tournament, penned his autobiography, It’s True, It’s True, and was inducted into the National Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame. Over the next five years, Kurt had famous battles against the likes of Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, John Cena, Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Hulk Hogan and “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.

After being on both Raw and SmackDown brands, Angle was drafted to ECW in the spring of 2006 and defeated Randy Orton at One Night Stand. Kurt Angle is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of professional wrestling. His list of victories reads like a Who’s Who of legends. No one will likely ever be able to match his intensity, integrity and intelligence. He can make you tap out from any position within seconds. Oh, it’s true!

Kurt Angle Says He’s Leaving TNA When His Contract Expires

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September 9, 2015 – Kurt Angle was on former WCW announcer Mark Madden’s radio show on Tuesday and when the subject of his future in wrestling came up, Angle announced he intended to take time off from the business and would not be signing another deal with TNA when his current contract is up in January 2016.

“I’m going to take a break,” said Angle. “I’m not going to re-sign with TNA. I’m not going to try to go to WWE.”

Angle, who has been out of action since having a surgery to remove a benign tumor in his neck that began giving him trouble after growing larger, has talked privately of moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time.

Angle noted during the interview that physically, he feels almost 100% and that he expected to be back in the ring by Bound for Glory. The Olympic gold medalist has been with TNA since 2006 after being released from WWE.

When asked about TNA’s TV status, Angle noted that he would love to comment but nothing has been said to him. He noted, “I hope to God something is worked out because I want the boys to work and there’s so many great talents there and you want them to be on TV. I don’t know where we are going to go. All I can do is the best for them until my contract is up. They treated me very well so I’m going to keep doing my best for them and then see what happens.”

Angle noted that TNA always gave him the time he needed to recuperate when his health was an issue, moreso then WWE when he was working for them. Angle said he doesn’t think people really know how well Dixie Carter treated him.

On the idea of doing a final match in WWE, Angle said that anything is possible but reiterated that he was taking time off in 2016. He said he wasn’t desperate to do something so he could retire. He said he’s been satisfied with his career and what he’s done but wants to take time off before he decides what’s next.

Angle had discussions with WWE before signing his most recent deal with TNA, but balked at signing when WWE made it clear they only wanted him as a full-time competitor. Angle had been looking for a part time deal similar to what Rob Van Dam and Chris Jericho have signed. Angle has noted publicly in the past that he had reached out to Vince McMahon but talks stalled when he was referred over to Triple H.