Recap of Spike TV Conference Call with Kurt Angle

Thanks to wrestleview.com and Adam Martin for this recap:

- A caller asked what was on Kurt Angle's mind at WrestleMania 19 when Brock Lesnar botched his Shooting Star Press: Angle said he wasn't sure if he was coherent. Asked Lesnar a few times and he gave him a response of a "huh?". Wasn't sure what to to do and asked if he could stand. Lesnar responded with, "I think so." Angle helped to pick him up and told him what to do. All he had left was the finish. That follow-up turned it into a success. Angle said anything can happen in pro wrestling and gives Lesnar credit for finishing.

- A caller mentions that Angle said his career would be different each time he came back from injury and asks how things will be different in TNA wrestling: "In the past I was never given enough time to heal. With TNA you know I made an agreement with Dixie Carter that I would wrestle when I feel I could go 100%. If I don't feel that way, maybe I wouldn't wrestle this week or not next week. I was traveling 300 days a year with my former employeer and won't be doing that with TNA."

- A caller asked Angle what frustrated him in WWE: "Main thing was that I wasn't getting the proper medical care. Wasn't getting enough rest. Basically, I felt like I was being buried into the ground. When I asked for time off, WWE said I was getting it. When that time came, they said, 'we need you because someone else went down.' WWE was in a position where they needed me more this year than ever before. I was being treated very unfairly. I gave my heart and soul and in turn wasn't getting the respect I deserve."

- A caller asks Angle if he felt pushed out of WWE by Vince McMahon - similar to how Vince pushed Bret Hart out of WWE in favor of WCW: Angle laughs. "Let me start with why I left. WWE just signed me to a new five year deal. There was no reason for them to push me out. WWE needed me now more than ever. Vince is trying to compete with himself and wants to keep it that way. He doesn't want TNA to succeed." Angle said WWE was so desperate that they kept him on the road when they didn't need to.

"Instead, they were so nervous about making money, they wanted Kurt Angle there and didn't put other guys in his spot. I'm the one who asked to leave WWE. I asked for the meeting. I asked for the release. I wanted to make it mutual with Vince. I wasn't having fun anymore. I felt the company was going in a downward spiral. I was not being utilitzed properly - and that is not the smartest thing in the world. I felt I was the best one there. WWE agents also aruged in my favor as well.

The CEO of WWE didn't feel the same for whatever reason. Did he think I was a liability? Probably, but he didn't want to lose me. In a nutshell, I asked for the meeting, I got my release because I asked for it. For the WWE to save face, they made it mutual. I don't think I will ever work for Vince McMahon again."

- A caller asked about how Christian Cage was the new face of TNA last year and wondered who he would like to see come to TNA next? "Chris Benoit. Only problem is Benoit has a five year guarantee (with WWE). He is out of the picture right now. If we could get Chris Benoit, that would take it over the top. He is one of my favorite wrestlers to perform with. He would be a great teacher and mentor for the wrestlers in TNA. These wrestlers in TNA, they don't even know how good they are. My job is to make them realize that and take TNA far.

- A caller asks if he would have liked to have wrestled at the Bound For Glory PPV this Sunday: "I'm looking forward to getting in the ring, but I'm satisfied with my spot on the card for Bound For Glory this Sunday. Angle said he wanted to feel out TNA first. "I study film for hours and hours. That is just who I am. I study my opponents. To just throw me in the ring with nothing to build off of would be stupid. If I came in 1 or 2 months earlier, I could see me wrestling at Bound For Glory. They (TNA) are smart about this.

Jeff Jarrett and Sting will have a great match and I don't want to take that away from them. That is something I would buy if I was sitting at home. The whole rest of the card is great as well. TNA has no reason to be desperate and add me to the card so soon."

- A caller asked who he would like to work with the most in TNA: Angle said he would like to work with Samoa Joe in TNA. "He has a well documented undefeated streak and he is built up like a monster. He is farther along than some other guys in TNA." Angle said at first, he thought they should stay away, but felt the time was right to do it now. Angle mentions this Thursday night and how he will confront Samoa Joe. He said his confrontation with Joe was great and described it almost as a shoot at times.

- A caller brings up WWE using Eddie Guerrero in current storylines: Angle first talked about Guerrero. "Eddie died from exhaustion. Had nothing to do with painkillers. With WWE using Eddie in storylines, they are taking care of his family and also making lots of money at the same time. The storylines help people remember Eddie. I would also like to see every cent made off Eddie go back to his family. He died with dignity and honor. If WWE wants to be the good guy, they will give money to his family. I guarantee his kids won't get near the amount Eddie made."