Kurt Angle
News (Page 4)

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."

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Thanks to lordsofpain.net for this TNA wrestling spoiler from last night's iMPACT tapings:

Kurt Angle made his TNA deburt during the taping of the October 19th edition of iMPACT. It began with Samoa Joe being informed that if he didn’t relinquish the NWA championship, he would be removed from the roster. Samoa ended up ripping up all of the papers informing him.

This is when the lights went out and Angle entered the ring. He then proceeded to get in Samoa’s face, headbutt him, and hit the Angle Slam. They continued to wrestle back and forth until security broke them up. During this confrontation, Jeff Jarrett obtained his belt.

After the in-ring action segment, Angle took the mic. He stated the WWE did not fire him, he asked Vince McMahon for his release. He went on to say he was back to wrestling and Vince could kiss his “Olympic Ass.”

We never thought we'd write about TNA wrestling so much. Then, the company went out and signed Kurt Angle.

Here's what president, Dixie Carter, had to say about that and other happenings in the brand:

On reaction to negative feedback to Kurt Angle coming to TNA:
"Am I shocked by some of the negative response? I’m more saddened by it – for Kurt. I know this has hurt him very much. TNA would never sign a talent, or allow a talent to be in a situation to harm themselves more than the risk each of these guys takes every time they step into the ring.

I truly believe that every TNA wrestler, referee, broadcaster and front-office employee knows that their health and their family come first. TNA is their livelihood, and they are all very passionate about it, but it is still just a job."

On Kurt Angle's current medical condition:
"I have personally met with Kurt and his wife. All past medical and pain medication issues have been addressed in depth and to my satisfaction. We have assembled a team of doctors around Kurt to monitor past injuries and also oversee his health on an ongoing basis."

On TNA wrestling's drug policy:
"TNA Wrestling has a very strict drug and alcohol policy, and each contracted talent signs an acknowledgement of the policy set forth. Drug use and alcohol abuse are issues we take very seriously. TNA has the right to conduct random drug-tests and other tests in accordance with government requirements. Violations of the policy are spelled out and failure to comply or failure of a test can result in mandatory drug counseling and treatment, suspension from work without pay, up to and including dismissal."

If Kurt Angle's signing to TNA helped iMPACT! move to primetime on Spike TV:
"The deal to move to prime-time on SpikeTV was done prior to signing Kurt. One thing I think is so great about Kurt is that he wanted to be a part of TNA without even knowing that the company was moving to prime-time. He wanted to make that leap because he knew the potential was there and he wanted to be part of making it happen. That’s how much he wants to be a part of TNA."

On the possibility of Bill Goldberg coming to TNA:
"Bill has a lot of exciting things going on in his career right now. TNA would be the perfect place for him to continue those pursuits while stepping back in the ring to write one last chapter of a storied wrestling career. Bill is very talented and he would be another great addition to our roster."

According to F4WOnline.com, sources have been throwing a numbe around as the yearly base salary for Kurt Angle in TNA: $650,000.

If the figure is valid - and it would be in addition to money from outside bookings, endorsements and a cut of Kurt Angle merchandise sale - the wrestler is on pace to receive significantly more money than even Sting made as part of the TNA wrestling crew.

It would also amount to a far greater per-show deal than Angle received while with WWE.

Good ol' JR certainly has many good ol' opinions about what goes on in the wrestling business. Therefore, it should be no surprise that he recently spoke out about Kurt Angle joining TNA wrestling:

What is the over/under on how long Kurt Angle stays in TNA? I think the world of Kurt and hope he gets totally healthy much sooner than later. Perhaps being a part of TNA will work for Kurt as it relates to travel and in ring demands.

I do think this genre is much better suited for Angle than mixed martial arts, UFC, etc. I wish Kurt well on his new opportunity and that is true, damn true.

Sounds classy of Jim Ross ... with maybe a touch of bitterness or hope for Angle to return to the WWE someday?

Forget the rumors and innuendo about Kurt Angle moving to TNA wrestling, here's what the man himself had to say about such a decision:

I had fun in WWE at certain times, but I was never really happy. Now being a part of TNA, I know I have a purpose. I feel like I am part of history, part of a company that is not only on the rise – not only going to be the number-one watched wrestling show in the world within a short period of time – but TNA gives me an opportunity to spread my wings. This company has no limits to where it can go.

The sky is the limit and the main reason is because they brought the “real” back into wrestling and that is a perfect fit for the greatest wrestler in USA Olympic history. I have room to grow here and to help TNA grow. Working for these caring and very giving employers of TNA makes me feel like I have a purpose and that the sky is the limit. I don’t feel trapped or held back like I did the first six years in my tenure with the other company.

They held me back. Now, our wonderful audience will see the real Kurt Angle doing what I love to do – real wrestling – and that’s what puts a smile on my face each time I come to work ...

It's also been revealed - in a slight TNA spoiler - than Angle will make his debut as the special enforcer during the Sting vs. Jeff Jarrett main event at the Bound for Glory PPV on October 22.

Wow. We might have to start covering TNA wrestling for real now.

At last night's No Surrender pay-per-view, the brand actually did not disappoint with its much-hyped major annoucement. In fact, it delivered two:

1. TNA iMPACT! will move to 9:00 PM ET/PT Thursdays on Spike TV starting November 16.
2. The company really has signed Kurt Angle.

“This has been a huge week in our company’s history,” said Dixie Carter, president of TNA Entertainment, LLC. “The signing of Kurt Angle and the move of iMPACT! to 9 PM are both significant benchmarks in the growth of TNA. The history of pro wrestling is marked with events that change the landscape of the industry and I believe that this week will be viewed in that context.”

One can only imagine how Vince and the WWE brass will react to this. Might we see actual, exciting competition once again? Here's Angle with the last word for now:

“Being with TNA feels like I found my home,” he said. “TNA will be the most watched show on cable TV – it’s just a matter of time. Thank you TNA for saving my career, my life and my desire to do what I love.”

See, we told you he wasn't going to TNA wrestling!

However, the following message has been posted on kurtanglewwe.com. It certainly implies that another organization is in this former WWE star's future. We'll reprint the entire thing below:

Dear Angle Friends and Fans:

Kurt "The Machine" Angle wants to truly thank everyone for their concerns and best regards to his recovery and wellness. Kurt continues to read your kind messages and he feels truly blessed to have your support, as your well wishes continue to strengthen him mentally and physically. He also apologizes as he would love to reply to you everyone but unfortunately due to timing with his family, his rehabilitation, training, and business leaves very little time to converse.

Kurt wants me to update you, he's happy to express his physical condition is fastly rebounding. When Kurt left WWE, he was beaten and battered down at a mirror 220. Over the past many weeks with the right rest, a wonderful wife who is preparing the ideal diet, daily physical therapy, and back to good strength training we are happy to report he's up to a solid 240 with about 85% full flexibility....

As you may have seen or heard the latest news, Kurt Angle is a huge fan of all MMA programs (K1, UFC, PRIDE, WEC, and IFL to name a few) this former Olympic Gold Medalist and Extreme Athlete has the heart and the deep driven passion to show he's the best of the best. Angle has his sight on a full physical recovery and plans a day to put it all on the line ...

This seems unfortunate. Fans, if you want Angle back in the WWE, let us know now!

We rarely post about TNA. We just don't consider it any sort of competition to the WWE at the moment.

However, rumors are running wild that the major announcment at the upcoming TNA pay-per-view involves the signing of Kurt Angle. Therefore, we had to speak up and clarify: Ain't gonna happen!

First of all, Angle is still, well, angling to get back into the WWE. He's proposed ideas for Wrestlemania and is looking at this as time off before he does return to Vince McMahon's wing. He won't go work for a competitor.

Moreover, he can't!

There's a no-compete clause in Angle's contract that means he can't wrestle for TNA until March anyhow.

The announcement, instead, may focus on Bill Goldberg signing with the company. Or - prepare yourself for this excitement, folks - the confirmation of a two-hour timeslot for TNA. That would be truly major, indeed.

As all wrestling fans now know, Kurt Angle has been releasted from his WWE contract. Details are unclear, but Angle has released a statement from his website:

To all my respective fans in WWE/ECW,

The letter you are about to read is not from WWE, nor from my agent, but from me, Kurt Angle ... to my all fans.

This is my personal ‘Thank You’ straight from my heart, to all my fans for being here with me and providing me with the most honorable privilege to perform and entertain for you.

Thank you for tuning into your TVs weekly, for visiting me at hundreds of house show chanting ‘You Suck’ (I love that phrase), to every single good, bad or indifferent e-mail I’ve received over the past 6 years and continue to receive daily. Thank you for being there and making my life truly blessed.

When I came to WWE, many fans had doubts that an Olympic Gold Medalist in Amateur Wrestling could turn and master the art of Sports Entertainment. To my humble surprise, God graciously granted me the gift to make this exciting transition in my life. Coming into the WWE, I had one goal in mind...to be the VERY BEST!

Many say I am; some may say I'm not. But I want you to know with over six solid years of non-stop wrestling action under my belt from all the shows to the world tours...I treated every single match as if it were my last!

I’ve never known a time in my life from training, competition or entertainment that I have not tried to give over 100%. I honestly do not know of any other way to wrestle or perform, and I have always wanted to give YOU, the fans, what I would expect to see.

From the entertainment standpoint, (good guy or bad guy), it’s been truly exciting, but I know in my heart that I have not reached my peak. Critics have compared me to very honorable wrestlers like Ric Flair, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels and the Undertaker, all of whom I value and truly respect.

But there is one BIG difference between us. I am by far the most aggressive and intense athlete of all on the mat. When I step into the ring, I treat it as real, it feels real and then I play it like a real shoot fight.

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