Kurt Angle: The Greatest To Walk That Aisle

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.