Two years after wining the Olympic gold medal in Atlanta, the greatest wrestler to walk the aisle entered professional wrestling. He's not the first Olympian to enter the game, nor is he the first premier armature wrestler to step over the ropes, but he is the best.
After winning the gold, Angle was destined to shine in the square circle, yet his first taste of the wrestling style we call pro was less than appealing. He was first brought in by Paul Heyman (via Shane Douglas) to work with ECW. But upon witnessing all the violence and cruelty he stormed out and threatened to sue if he was associated with the product.
Kurt Angle was never seen in wrestling... until he got the offer he couldn't refuse.
Vince McMahon immediately tried to reach out to Kurt after he won his gold medal, but rejected the WWE. He figured he could make more through endorsements. But after a Wheaties box, a failed attempt at a sportscaster position, and two years later he was finally ready.
But he wasn't given the lucrative offer that one would expect, he was offered the basic developmental deal, but that was okay by him. Kurt has never been one to run away from a challenge.
To say he was up to the challenge was an understatement. He progressed so fast that he won his first WWE heavyweight title in less than a year by defeating the industries biggest star The Rock. And just a year after that he went on to defeat Stone Cold Steve Austin for the WCW title. His waves in the wrestling industry were just beginning to be felt.
Since his debut, only one year (2005) has gone by where Angle was not a world champion. He has been voted PWI's Rookie of the year (2000), Wrestler of the Year (2003), #1 of the top 500 Wrestlers (2001), and feud of the year (3xs).
But what makes Kurt Angle great has nothing to do with all the accolades, that's just the end result. The reason why Angle is the best ever is that no matter who you put across from him, you are guaranteed a match of the night caliber showing. It doesn't matter if it's the Big Show or Jay Lethal, Angle will bring out the best in everyone he faces.
Angle also holds the ability to shine as a heel or a face. It's the reason why both the WWE and TNA were dependent on him. Whatever they're lacking, Angle can provide it.
But for all those naysayers who sing the praises of the likes of Triple H, Ric Flair, and even Hulk Hogan, I would have no way (or intention of discrediting them). But realize this, those listed before only offer one thing over Angle, time.
They've been in the game longer. Flair is a 16-time world champ in a career that spans over three decades. Angle has 9 in 9 years. On his pace, if he would have started when Flair did and stayed in as long, he'd have 30 title reigns to Flair's 16.
Hogan is the only one that may be able to touch Angle, and that's only because he helped revolutionize the sport.
While Kurt Angle's in-ring performance is way beyond Hogan's on his best day, Hogan was the bigger draw over his career. But the question is, if Angle were there instead of Hogan, would he be able to carry the ball? Well with all of his charisma and natural ability, I'd say yea, and then some.
So it is unfortunate to the wrestling world that Angle arrived so late. And with all the talks of MMA, but more realistically movies and television, it won't be long before he's gone. And nobody knows if Angle will return after he has left for Hollywood, or pull a Rock and slowly distance himself for good.
Either way, you better take a good look while you still can, because you are watching the greatest wrestler to ever walk that aisle.
5 comments Last one added 8 months ago — Leave a Comment
Ryan 8 months ago
I miss Kurt as the goofy heel that opposed The Rock, Triple H and Stone Cold. It almost seems like the minute he shaved his head, he became this crazy, bad-ass wannabe version of himself. Still a tremendous wrestler, but I miss the old Kurt.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mohammad Haidarasl 8 months ago
Kurt Angle is a great contributor to the world wrestling entertainment industry. It just so happens he is also a free-style wrestling olympian too which even adds to the excitement of it all. I'd have to agree, but to say the best? Who knows? There have been lots of other wrestlers too, but not any that I can think of who are olympians. I would consider him to be one of the greats.
Edit Comment Cancel
Joe Burgett 8 months ago
Kurt Anlge is probably one of the best wrestlers ever, but he is overshadowed by Hogan as all are, and by Flair, which no one can beat in World Titles, Triple H is a 12 World Champion and is so popular because of DX and other things similar, espaecially his connection with the McMahon family, so if you want great wrestler go to Angle, but best Pro-Wrester, and thats key, you can't put Angle at the Top, he is never going to be the best pro-wrestler, that honor goes to some of the men you put up there, you also hev The Rock and others, that are so popular its hard to outshine them
Edit Comment Cancel
Ross 8 months ago
Kurt's only probelm was that he was constantly injured or hurting. He still had awesome matches with everyone, but working with injuries all of these years has shortend his in ring carrer. The greatest ever to walk the aisle is a man very much like him, Bret Hart. Just an opinion.
Edit Comment Cancel
Shane H. 8 months ago
Hart, Michaels, Flair are the best, not in any particular order. The Rock was more of an entertainer than wrestler IMO. Angle is good but injuries and the time he started professional wrestling kinda goes against him
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.