Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle

Angle in 2005
Birth name Kurtis Steven Angle
Born (1968-12-09) December 9, 1968[1]
Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, United States
Residence Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Alma mater Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Spouse(s) Karen Smedley (m. 1998; div. 2008)
Giovanna Angle (m. 2012)
Children 5
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s) King Kurt[2]
Kurt Angle[3]
Billed height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)[4][5]
Billed weight 220 lb (100 kg)[6]
Billed from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Trained by Dory Funk Jr.[7]
Tom Prichard[7]
Debut 1998[8]

Kurtis Steven Angle (born December 9, 1968) is an American professional wrestler, actor, and retired amateur wrestler. While at Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Angle won numerous accolades, including being a two-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Heavyweight Wrestling Champion. After graduating college, Angle won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1995 World Wrestling Championships. He then won a freestyle wrestling gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics. Angle is one of only four people to complete an amateur wrestling Grand Slam (junior nationals, NCAA, World Championships, Olympics).[9] In 2006, he was named by USA Wrestling as the greatest shoot wrestler ever and one of the top 15 college wrestlers of all time.[10] He was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 for his amateur accomplishments.

Angle made his first appearance at a professional wrestling event in 1996, with his in-ring debut following in 1998. He signed a long-term contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) that same year, and participated in his first televised storyline in March 1999. After months of unaired matches, Angle made his official debut in November and received his first major push in the company in February 2000, when he held the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship simultaneously. Four months later, he won the King of the Ring tournament, and not long after, began pursuing the WWF Championship, which he won in October; this capped off a rookie year which is considered by many to be the greatest in professional wrestling history.[11] Throughout his tenure in the WWF/WWE, Angle was a six-time world champion (four reigns as WWF/WWE Champion, one as WCW Champion, and one as WWE's World Heavyweight Champion), a one-time United States Champion, one-time Intercontinental Champion, one-time European Champion and one-time WWE Tag Team Champion. He is the tenth Triple Crown Champion and the fifth Grand Slam Champion in WWE history.[12]

After leaving WWE, Angle joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he became a record six-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion (and the inaugural titleholder), a two-time TNA World Tag Team Champion, and a one-time TNA X Division Champion. He is the second Triple Crown winner in TNA history and the only one to hold all the required titles at once. As a part of TNA, Angle also made appearances for New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) and the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF), where he held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship once.

Between WWF/WWE, TNA, and Japan, Angle has won 13 world championships and 21 total championships. He is the only professional wrestler in history to have won the WWE, World heavyweight, WCW, TNA, and IWGP world championships. Angle is also a two-time King of the Mountain and a one-time King of the Ring, making him the only person to have been both King of the Ring (WWF) and King of the Mountain (TNA). In 2010, Wrestling Observer Newsletter named Angle the Wrestler of the Decade for the 2000s,[13] and in 2013, he was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame. He has headlined numerous pay-per-view events for both WWF/WWE and TNA throughout his career, including the flagship event for both promotions: WrestleMania in WWF/WWE, and Bound for Glory in TNA. Angle is considered to be one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.[14]

Amateur wrestling career

Angle started amateur wrestling at the age of seven.[15] He attended Mt. Lebanon High School,[16] where he won varsity letters in football and wrestling and was an All-State linebacker.[16][17][18] He went undefeated on the freshman wrestling team at Mt. Lebanon High and qualified for the state wrestling tournament his sophomore year.[16] Angle also placed third in the state wrestling tournament as a junior and was the 1987 Pennsylvania State Wrestling Champion as a senior.

Upon graduating from high school, Angle attended the Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where he continued to wrestle at an amateur level.[19] He was a two-time National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I champion,[20] national runner-up in 1991, and a three-time NCAA Division I All-American. In addition, Angle was the 1987 USA Junior Freestyle champion, a two-time USA Senior Freestyle champion, and the 1988 USA International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles Junior World Freestyle champion.[21]

After graduating from college, Angle continued to wrestle. In 1995, he won a gold medal at the FILA Wrestling World Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.[20] Following this victory, Angle began preparing for the 1996 Summer Olympics under Dave Schultz at the Pennsylvanian Foxcatcher Club,[22] training between eight and ten hours a day.[23] In January 1996, not long after Angle began training at the club, Schultz was murdered by John Eleuthère du Pont, the sponsor of Schultz's team of Olympic prospectives.[24][25][26] As a result, Angle quit du Pont's team, searched for new sponsors, and joined the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club in Schultz's memory.[27]

Angle faced further hardships while taking part in the 1996 Olympic Trials, when he suffered a severe neck injury, fracturing two of his cervical vertebrae,[28] herniating two discs, and pulling four muscles. Nonetheless, Angle won the trials and then spent the subsequent five months resting and rehabilitating. By the Olympics, Angle was able to compete, albeit with several pain-reducing injections in his neck.[20] In the fall of 1996, Angle stated that he temporarily became addicted to the analgesic Vicodin after injuring his neck.[29] He won his gold medal in the heavyweight (90–100 kg; 198–220 lb) weight class despite his injury,[21] defeating the Iranian Abbas Jadidi by officials' decision after the competitors wrestled to an eight-minute, one-one draw. The bout saw Jadidi earn a point after two minutes and 42 seconds by turning Angle, and Angle earning a point of his own with a takedown after three minutes and four seconds. The officials' decision was protested by Jadidi.[30] Angle dedicated the victory to Schultz's honor.

Shortly after his victory, Angle turned down a contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).[21][31] In the same year, he became a marketing representative for Protos Foods, the manufacturers of OSTRIM, an ostrich meat based foodstuff.[24][31]

In April 2011, Angle revealed that he was planning a comeback to amateur wrestling for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.[32][33][34] In April 2012, he announced he was unable to make the trials for the US team due to a knee injury, though he held an honorary title as team manager.[35] A parody of these efforts entitled "Olympic Trials With Kurt Angle" appeared on the website Funny or Die.

In 2016, Angle was announced as an inductee into the International Sports Hall of Fame for his amateur wrestling accomplishments.[9]

Professional wrestling career

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1996)

On October 26, 1996, Angle was convinced by fellow Pittsburgh native Shane Douglas to attend the taping of an Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) event named High Incident.[21] He gave an in-ring interview and provided guest commentary during a match between Taz and Little Guido, but left the building after Raven "crucified" a bleeding Sandman by attaching him to a cross using barbed wire.[36] Angle, shocked by the controversial imagery and afraid that his career prospects would be damaged if he was associated with the incident, threatened to sue ECW owner Paul Heyman if he was shown on television in the same broadcast as the stunt.[21]

National Wrestling Alliance (1998)

Angle competed in a battle royal at the NWA's 50th Anniversary Show, held on October 24, 1998 at the Hilton Hotel in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.[37]

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment

Early career and Eurocontinental Champion (1998–2000)

Angle with the European and Intercontinental championship belts

In October 1998, Angle signed an eight-year contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). He was assigned to the Power Pro Wrestling developmental territory in Memphis, Tennessee, where he began training. Angle's first appearance on WWF television was on the March 7, 1999 episode of Sunday Night Heat, where he took part in an angle with Tiger Ali Singh. This angle involved Singh paying him money to blow his nose on the American flag. Angle instead blew his nose on Singh's flag and fought him off. His first WWF match was a dark match victory over Brian Christopher on April 11, 1999. In the following months, he wrestled in house shows and other dark matches in preparation for his televised debut. He also wrestled for Power Pro Wrestling in the Memphis, Tennessee area. On July 24th, 1999, Angle won the PPW Championship. He then lost the championship to Steve Bradley on August 7th, 1999..[38]

After several weeks of vignettes, Angle made his televised WWF in-ring debut on November 14, 1999 at the Survivor Series at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, defeating Shawn Stasiak.[39] In his initial push, he remained undefeated for several weeks, eventually losing to the debuting Tazz by passing out at the Royal Rumble.[40] Angle's television character was an "American hero" gimmick based on his gold medal win at the 1996 Summer Olympics. In his promos, Angle presented himself as a role model and stressed the need to work hard to realize one's dreams, stressing the 3 I's, "Intensity, Integrity, and Intelligence". In his promos and ring entrances, Angle would always wear replicas of his gold medals around his neck. While he stood for many principles that are associated with "good guy" wrestlers, Angle was noticeably booed in his debut match and even the Raw the next night in his match against the Godfather. which took place in his own hometown of Pittsburgh. The fans in general did not react positively to his billing as the first 'real athlete' in the WWF, which ultimately led to him being portrayed as a villain, talking down to the audience and behaving as if he thought he was better than the fans and fellow wrestlers, usually taunting them with the question of, "Where are your gold medals?". Angle won both the European Championship and the Intercontinental Championship in February 2000,[40] billing himself as the "Eurocontinental Champion". He dropped both of his titles without ever conceding a fall in a two falls Triple Threat match with Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 2000. The match had been agreed to on Angle's behalf by his mentor, Bob Backlund.

WWF Champion (2000–2001)

Angle at King of the Ring in 2000 – a tournament he eventually won

Throughout mid-2000, after aligning himself with Edge & Christian, "Team ECK" (Edge, Christian, and Kurt) feuded with Too Cool and Rikishi, with Angle defeating Rikishi in the finals of the King of the Ring tournament.[41] He went on to feud with Triple H after a love triangle between them and Triple H's wife, Stephanie McMahon, developed.[42] As a change to the intended storyline of Stephanie turning on her husband and going with Angle, he lost to Triple H at Unforgiven.[41] Following his feud with Triple H, Angle received another push and began pursuing the WWF Championship, defeating The Rock at No Mercy, after botched interference on The Rock's behalf from Rikishi.[41] With his victory over The Rock, Angle became the first wrestler to have won both an Olympic Gold medal and the world championship. Angle retained the WWF Championship for the rest of the year in matches with The Undertaker at Survivor Series and in a six-man Hell in a Cell match at Armageddon.[43]

After beating Triple H at the Royal Rumble, Angle eventually lost the title to The Rock at No Way Out, after holding the WWF Championship for four months. He then feuded with Chris Benoit whom he defeated at WrestleMania X-Seven, but lost to him at Backlash in an Ultimate Submission match; Benoit defeated Angle four falls to three in sudden-death overtime. Continuing the feud, Angle again defeated Benoit in a two out of three falls match at Judgment Day. Benoit pinned Angle after an Angle Slam in a "Pinfalls Only" fall, and then Angle made Benoit submit with the ankle lock in the "Submissions Only" fall. Angle won the third fall, a ladder match, with the help of Edge and Christian.

The Invasion and Grand Slam winner (2001–2002)

Main articles: The Invasion and The Alliance

When World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and ECW were purchased by WWF, the wrestlers from both promotions joined and formed The Alliance and invaded the WWF in mid-2001 (dubbed as "The Invasion"). As a result, Angle became a fan favorite and began a storyline where he joined forces with WWF Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin to repel them. At Invasion, Angle and Austin captained a team of five WWF superstars against five handpicked members of the Alliance. As part of the angle, Team WWF lost to Team Alliance when Austin turned on his team to join The Alliance. At the close of the match, Austin nailed Angle with a Stone Cold Stunner, causing him to get pinned by the other team.[44] After winning and losing the WCW Championship,[45][46] WCW United States Championship,[47][48] and the WWF Hardcore Championship in matches with Alliance members,[49] Angle was booked to defeat Austin in a SummerSlam rematch for his second WWF Championship at Unforgiven.[50] He dropped the title back to Austin on the October 8, 2001, episode of Raw when WWF Commissioner William Regal joined The Alliance and cost Angle the match.[51] As part of the storyline, Angle subsequently turned into a villain again and joined The Alliance himself; during a WrestleMania X-Seven rematch between Vince McMahon and Shane McMahon, he interfered seemingly to aid Vince, but instead struck the members of team WWF with a steel chair.[52] Angle, however, ultimately returned to the WWF side by enabling The Rock to defeat Austin in a "Winner Takes All" match between the WWF and The Alliance at Survivor Series. He remained a villain by claiming sole responsibility for the destruction of The Alliance.[50]

After dropping the WCW United States Championship to Edge, the duo were booked into a lengthy feud. During this feud, Edge helped the fans with the already started "you suck" chants every time Angle entered a WWE ring, usually in tune with Angle's entrance music.[53] The chants followed Angle throughout the rest of his WWE career. In the course of the feud, the naturally balding Angle lost a "hair versus hair" match to Edge at Judgment Day, and his head was shaved bald.[54] Angle has retained the shaved head since. Following the loss of his hair, Angle's storyline called for him to wear a wig and insult bald people,[55] leading to a feud with Hollywood Hogan, who stripped Angle of his wig.[56] Angle later scored a submission victory over Hogan at King of the Ring, making him the first wrestler in WWE history to win a submission from Hogan. During 2002, Angle routinely held open invitation challenges on Smackdown!. Accepting one of these challenges, John Cena made his WWE televised debut, losing to Angle after a roll-up pin.[57]

In October 2002, Angle became the fifth WWE Grand Slam Championship winner when he won the WWE Tag Team Championship with Chris Benoit at No Mercy. Their team was successful but problematic, as the two bickered constantly, with Benoit often fed up with Angle's over-the-top antics.[58] After dropping the title to Edge and Rey Mysterio on an episode of SmackDown!,[59] Angle won his third WWE Championship at Armageddon, defeating Big Show with the help of Brock Lesnar.[60] While still in his third reign, Angle began a new storyline when he gained the services of manager Paul Heyman and "Team Angle".[61]

Championship reigns and pursuits (2003–2004)

Angle and Brock Lesnar after their WWE Championship title match at WrestleMania XIX

He then began feuding with Brock Lesnar, who had won the 2003 Royal Rumble match,[62] after he claimed to be the new top superstar on SmackDown!. Angle lost the WWE Championship in the main event of WrestleMania XIX to Lesnar, due to needing time off to recuperate from injuries.[63]

On April 11, 2003, Angle underwent neck surgery performed by Dr. Hae-Dong Jho to repair nerve and spinal damage, calcium buildup, bone spurs, and intervertebral disc problems. Rather than have Dr. Jho remove the afflicted discs and fuse his vertebrae together, Angle opted for a less conventional surgery where Jho removed only the spurs and selected portions of the discs. The alternative surgery reduced Angle's rehabilitation time from one year to three months.[64] He returned as a face character in June. Shortly after returning, Angle defeated Lesnar and Big Show in a Triple Threat match at Vengeance to regain the WWE Championship for the fourth time.[65] During this time, Lesnar seemed to become an ally to Angle. Lesnar, however, secretly worked with Vince McMahon on a plot against Angle, turning on him during a steel cage match between himself and McMahon in which Angle was the special guest referee, and stated that he never tolerated losing the belt to him at Vengeance.[66] After retaining the title in a singles bout at SummerSlam by making Lesnar submit to the ankle lock, he dropped the title to Lesnar in an Iron Man match on an episode of SmackDown!.[67][68] Angle then formed a five-man team to rival Lesnar's team at the Survivor Series, with Angle's team coming out victorious.[69]

Angle then got involved in a feud with Eddie Guerrero. Initially being a firm friend and ally to Eddie during the latter's feud with his nephew Chavo, Angle turned on him when it was announced that Guerrero, not Angle, was the number one contender for the WWE Championship, thus becoming a villain once again. At No Way Out, Guerrero defeated Lesnar to win the WWE Championship, and Angle won a match to become the new number one contender. After losing to Guerrero at WrestleMania XX, Angle began to once again suffer from legitimate neck problems.[70] As a response, he was made the on-screen General Manager of SmackDown!,[71] with his absence from the ring attributed to injuries suffered after Big Show chokeslammed him off a ledge.[72] Angle continued his feud with Guerrero throughout 2004. He cost Guerrero the WWE Championship against John "Bradshaw" Layfield in a Texas Bull Rope match at The Great American Bash by participating in the worked finish; Angle came down to the ring and showed a replay where JBL's shoulder hit the corner pad before Guerrero's hand.[73] Angle was later fired by Vince McMahon as General Manager in July 2004, after discovering that he was faking his handicapped status.[74]

In November 2004, Angle initiated the Kurt Angle Invitational, a worked weekly segment where "hometown heroes" (plants), challenged him to a match, with Angle promising to give his Olympic gold medal to the first person to last more than three minutes in the ring with him.[75] The Invitational was won by Eugene in July 2005 starting a new angle for both men.[76] As a result, Angle faced Eugene at SummerSlam, defeating him by making him submit to the ankle lock.

On the November 4, 2004, episode of SmackDown!, taped in St. Louis, Missouri, during an unscripted segment of Tough Enough, Angle challenged the finalists to a squat thrust competition.[77][78] Chris Nawrocki won the competition, and the prize Nawrocki won was a match against Angle.[79] Angle quickly took Nawrocki down, breaking his ribs, then made him submit with a neck crank.[79] After Angle defeated Nawrocki, Angle challenged the other finalists.[79] Daniel Puder, an American professional mixed martial artist, accepted Angle's challenge.[79] Angle and Puder wrestled for position, with Angle taking Puder down, however, in the process, Puder locked Angle in a kimura lock.[78][79][80] With Puder on his back and Angle's arm locked in the kimura, Angle pushed Puder's shoulders down, pinning him and one of two referees in the ring, Jim Korderas, quickly counted three to end the bout,[78][79][80] despite the fact that Puder's shoulders were not fully down on the mat, bridging up at two.[78][79] Puder later claimed he would have snapped Angle's arm on national television if Korderas had not ended the match.[79] Dave Meltzer and Dave Scherer gave these following comments:

"It was real. If you don't follow fighting, Puder had Angle locked in the Kimura, or keylock as Tazz called it, although Tazz didn't let on the move was fully executed. Not only was Angle not getting out of the move, but most MMA fighters would have tapped already. Angle couldn't tap for obvious reasons. The ref counted a three even though Puder's shoulders weren't fully down, trying to end the thing, because the reality was Angle would have been in surgery had it gone a few seconds longer or had Puder not given up the hold". ― Dave Meltzer[78][80]
"As you would expect, Kurt Angle was less than happy backstage at Smackdown after almost being forced to tap out to Tough Enough contestant Daniel Puder. Downright ticked off would probably be the best way to describe his mood. The unscripted nature of the contest was the main reason that Angle was made to look so bad since Puder just reacted to the situation and could have forced Angle to submit had the referees not thought quickly and counted a pin that wasn’t there on Puder". ― Dave Scherer[78]

The Wrestling Machine and departure (2005–2006)

Angle after retaining his Olympic Gold Medal at SummerSlam in 2005

In January 2005, Angle took part in the Royal Rumble, but was eliminated by Shawn Michaels, who had returned to the ring to eliminate in retaliation.[81] After mocking Michaels by defeating his former tag team partner, Marty Jannetty,[82] and attacking former manager, Sherri Martel,[83] Angle defeated Michaels in an interpromotional match at WrestleMania 21, which won the Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Match of the Year award.[81] He continued to feud with Michaels upon being drafted from SmackDown! to Raw in the 2005 WWE draft lottery,[84] losing to Michaels at Vengeance.[85] On the July 25, 2005 episode of Raw, Eugene took part in the "Kurt Angle Invitational" challenge. Angle was unable to make Eugene submit in the three-minute limit, winning his cherished Olympic gold medal (per match stipulation), and starting a feud between the two.[86] The feud culminated at SummerSlam, where Angle defeated Eugene to regain his medal.[87] Angle later feuded with John Cena for the WWE Championship. He would challenge Cena at Unforgiven, but won by DQ, therefore not winning the title. He would face Shawn Michaels and Cena in a Triple Threat match at Taboo Tuesday but did not win, and would then unsuccessfully challenge Cena at Survivor Series.

In early January 2006, Angle returned to the SmackDown! brand as a surprise entrant in a twenty-man battle royal for the vacant World Heavyweight Championship. Angle won by last eliminating Mark Henry, turning face in the process for the first time since 2004.[88][89] He retained the title against Henry at the Royal Rumble.[7] Shortly after the match, The Undertaker made his return and challenged Angle for the title.[7] At No Way Out, Angle retained the title against Undertaker after a controversial finish where Angle pinned Taker while locked in a triangle choke. As a result, Undertaker challenged Angle to a rematch on the March 3 episode of SmackDown!, where Angle won by disqualification after Mark Henry interfered and attacked Undertaker. This ensured that Angle would go to WrestleMania 22 as champion.[90] Angle then began a three way feud with 2006 Royal Rumble winner Rey Mysterio and Randy Orton (who defeated Mysterio at No Way Out to gain entrance to the SmackDown main event at WrestleMania). At WrestleMania, Angle indirectly dropped the title to Mysterio in the Triple Threat match after Mysterio pinned Orton.[91]

On May 29, 2006, Angle was drafted to the newly created ECW brand.[7] It was during this time that he acquired the nickname "The Wrestling Machine",[92] wearing a mouth guard and quickly squashing opponents. Upon coming to ECW, he issued an open challenge for One Night Stand, which was accepted by Randy Orton.[93] Angle defeated Orton at One Night Stand,[94] later losing to him in a rematch at Vengeance. Angle appeared sporadically on WWE television throughout mid-2006. On August 25, 2006, Angle was granted an early release from his WWE contract because of health reasons.[95][96] Angle stated in the Kurt Angle: Champion documentary DVD that he asked for his release from WWE because he could not take time off and was working hurt, severely on some occasions. He also states that when he quit, WWE lost their top talent, as he was at the very top of the payroll.[97] Angle wrestled his last match at an ECW taping on August 8, against Sabu.[98]

Total Nonstop Action Wrestling

Championship reigns (2006–2008)

Main article: The Angle Alliance
Kurt and Karen Angle watching at ringside during Impact!

Angle then went on to sign a contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). The new signing was viewed by some as a promotion not having concern for the health of a wrestler.[99] On September 24, 2006, during the closing segment of No Surrender, TNA President Dixie Carter announced that TNA Wrestling had signed Angle to a contract, with Jim Cornette introducing video footage of Angle training in a six-sided TNA ring.[100] On the December 28, 2006, episode of TNA Impact!, this was announced as the "Moment of the Year" for TNA.[101]

Angle made his TNA debut on October 19 as a face, confronting Samoa Joe after Joe refused to relinquish the NWA World Heavyweight Championship belt that, according to the storyline, he had stolen from Jeff Jarrett.[102] The two men ended up fighting while Jarrett took the title back.[102] Angle was then the special enforcer for the Title vs. Career match between Jarrett and Sting at Bound for Glory, but, as part of the worked finish, he took out referee Rudy Charles and assumed the referee's role for the rest of the match-up.[103] Angle's first match in TNA took place on the November 16 airing of Impact!, where he was booked to defeat Abyss with the ankle lock and be attacked after the match by Samoa Joe.[104] At Genesis, Angle defeated Samoa Joe, ending Joe's undefeated push.[103]

At Final Resolution, Angle was booked to defeat Samoa Joe in a thirty-minute Iron Man match 3–2 to earn a shot at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Against All Odds,[105] which he lost to Christian Cage after interference from Tomko and Scott Steiner.[106] This led to a feud between Angle and Steiner, with Angle pinning Steiner at Destination X.[107] After Angle defeated Steiner, he was picked to lead a team of four other wrestlers against a team of Christian Cage's choice in a Lethal Lockdown match at April's Lockdown. Angle chose Samoa Joe, Rhino, Sting, and Jeff Jarrett for Team Angle, while Cage chose A.J. Styles, Scott Steiner, Tomko, and Abyss. The man who gained the winning pinfall would become the number one contender to Christian Cage's NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Team Angle was victorious after Jeff Jarrett hit Abyss with a gimmicked guitar full of thumbtacks and allowed Sting to score the pin.[108] Cage was set to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Sting and Angle in a triple threat match at Sacrifice.[109] The day of the PPV, the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), the owners of the NWA World Heavyweight and the NWA World Tag Team Championships, stripped Cage of the title and Team 3D of the tag team title.[110] NWA Executive Director Robert K. Trobich stated the reason was that Cage refused to defend the NWA Title at NWA live events.[110] At the PPV event, Cage, still holding the physical NWA Championship belt, defended what was billed as the "World Heavyweight Championship" against Angle and Sting. Angle was the victor of said contest by making Sting submit, who had technically just pinned Cage, and was announced as the new "World Heavyweight Champion".[111] The Impact! following the event, Angle came to the ring with a new championship belt, and announced he was the new "TNA World Heavyweight Champion".[112] Afterward, Cage and Sting came to the ring and the three began to argue over who was the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Due to the controversial finish to their match at Sacrifice, the title was declared vacant by Cornette. A tournament was held for the title which culminated in a King of the Mountain match at Slammiversary on June 17, 2007.[112] At the event, Angle became the TNA World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Cage, Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, and Chris Harris.[113] He then attacked Joe after denying a request for a handshake, reigniting their feud. This also turned Angle heel in the process.

Angle holding IGF's version of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the TNA World Heavyweight Championship belts

At Victory Road, newly crowned X Division Champion Samoa Joe teamed with Kurt Angle to face TNA Tag Team Champions Team 3D, with the stipulation that if a wrestler pinned the other opponent, he won his championship.[114] As part of the planned outcome of the match, Joe pinned Brother Ray of Team 3D to win both tag team belts, which he held by himself.[114] On the following episode of Impact!, Joe – now holding the X Division and Tag Team Championships, challenged Angle – the reigning TNA and (IGF recognized) IWGP Heavyweight Champion, to a Winner Take All match at Hard Justice.[115] While illustrating how he would take away everything important in Angle's life, Joe brought Angle's wife Karen into the fray, as she demanded a divorce.[116] During the match, however, Karen turned on Joe and aided her husband.[117] As part of his next push, Angle won, gaining all the championships and becoming the second Triple Crown champion in TNA and the first to hold all three titles at the same time. Including the IWGP title, this made Angle a quadruple champion (and since Joe held the tag team titles by himself, that meant Angle's victory gave him both tag team championship belts, meaning Angle was now in possession of five championship belts).[117] Angle, however, dropped both the X Division and Tag Team Titles to Jay Lethal and Team Pacman, respectively, at No Surrender.[118] At Bound for Glory, Angle lost the TNA World Championship to Sting,[119] but won it back on the October 25 episode of Impact!.[120]

Angle then joined forces with A.J. Styles and Tomko as The Angle Alliance at Turning Point against Samoa Joe, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall. Styles had planned for Christian's Coalition and The Angle Alliance to team up together, but Christian Cage demanded to be the leader of The Angle Alliance after Cage denied Angle's request of being his "lackey". At Final Resolution, Angle successfully defended the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Cage due to interference from Styles and again at Against All Odds with help from Tomko. At Lockdown, Angle lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Samoa Joe after being pinned.

The Main Event Mafia (2008–2009)

Main article: The Main Event Mafia
Angle as the "Godfather" of the Main Event Mafia

After suffering a neck injury, Angle was out of action. In the storyline, he returned to Impact! to ask his estranged wife Karen to reunite with him, but she declined his offer. Later that night, after Styles suffered a beating at the hands of Team 3D, Booker T, and Tomko, Angle added to the mugging by hitting Styles with a steel chair. At Slammiversery, Angle lost to Styles, being pinned after interference from Karen. At Victory Road, Angle and Team 3D won a six-man tag team Full Metal Mayhem match defeating the team of Christian Cage, Rhino, and Styles. At Hard Justice, Angle once again lost to Styles – this time in a Last Man Standing match. The feud continued on the next episode of Impact!, with Styles winning Angle's gold medal in a mock amateur wrestling match. The next week Angle challenged Styles to a ladder match for the Olympic Gold Medal. As they both stood on the top of the ladder, the arena went dark and Jeff Jarrett's music played. When the lights turned on, Styles had a guitar and performed an Acoustic Equalizer on Angle to win the match.

Angle began a feud with Jarrett after No Surrender when Jarrett hit Angle with his guitar, a match that involved him, Christian Cage and Samoa Joe for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. On the October 2 episode of Impact, Mick Foley announced that he would be the special enforcer for Angle's match with Jarrett at Bound for Glory IV. Angle lost to Jarrett in this match, being pinned after taking the mandible claw from Foley and a guitar shot and Stroke from Jarrett. He started attacking other superstars backstage in order to get a rematch against Jarrett. On the first HD Impact!, Angle, Booker T, Kevin Nash, and Sting started a new stable of legends called The Main Event Mafia. Scott Steiner joined the group the following week. Angle then defeated Abyss at Turning Point in a Falls Count Anywhere match. After weeks of torturing Jeff Jarrett to give him a rematch, Jarrett said that if Angle could defeat Rhino at the second Final Resolution of 2008, with Mick Foley as the Special Enforcer, he would grant it. Angle defeated Rhino to earn a rematch with Jarrett at Genesis after Al Snow made a surprise appearance and distracted Foley for Angle to cheat. At Sacrifice, Angle lost his leadership of the Mafia to Sting because of their match's stipulation. On June 21 at Slammiversary, Angle won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for the fourth time in a King of the Mountain match with help from Samoa Joe. On the following episode of Impact!, Angle regained leadership of the Main Event Mafia after he and the rest of the Mafia, attacked Sting while introducing Joe as their newest member. At No Surrender Angle lost his championship to A.J. Styles in a five-way match which also included Matt Morgan, Sting, and Hernandez.[121]

Various feuds (2009–2010)

After defeating Morgan at Bound for Glory,[122] Angle came out on the following episode of Impact! and put over the younger talent of the company, thus leaving the Main Event Mafia and turning face once again. Afterward, he was assaulted by the debuting Desmond Wolfe,[123] who defeated him via knockout in a street fight the following week.[124] At Turning Point Angle defeated Wolfe in a rematch.[125] The following month at Final Resolution Angle faced Wolfe in a "Three Degrees of Pain" two out of three falls match. Wolfe managed to gain the first fall by pinning Angle following the Tower of London, but Angle forced him to submit with the ankle lock to win the second fall. In the final fall, which could only be won by escaping the Six Sides of Steel, Angle managed to escape first and won the match.[126] On the January 4, 2010, live, three-hour, Monday night edition of Impact! Angle received a shot at A.J. Styles' World Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated in the main event of the show.[127] Two weeks later at Genesis Angle received one last shot at the World Heavyweight Title, but was once again defeated by Styles, who turned heel with the help of Ric Flair and nailed him with the title belt. As a result, Angle was barred from challenging for the belt as long as Styles is the title holder.[128] Due to the circumstances surrounding the loss, Hulk Hogan gave Angle another shot at Styles and the TNA World Heavyweight Championship on the January 21 episode of Impact!, but this time he lost the match after referee Earl Hebner, who was later revealed to have been paid off by Flair, called for the bell in an incident similar to the Montreal Screwjob. Angle responded to the incident by spitting in Hogan's face, threatening to quit TNA and go back to WWE.[129] Angle apologized to Hogan, after being saved by him from Scott Hall and Syxx-Pac.[130] At Against All Odds Angle took part in the 8 Card Stud Tournament to crown a new number one contender, but was defeated in the first round by Mr. Anderson, after Anderson used Angle's dog tags to bust him open.[130] On the following episode of Impact! Angle promised to make Anderson suffer for disrespecting the U.S. soldiers, but was in the end once again laid out by him, effectively starting a feud between the two.[131] At Destination X Angle defeated Anderson in a rematch.[132] Angle and Anderson were booked in a rubber match inside a steel cage at Lockdown.[133] On the April 5 episode of Impact! Anderson defeated Angle in a ladder match to win possession of the key to the cage door.[134] At Lockdown, Angle defeated Anderson in a steel cage match and afterwards announced that he would take some time off from wrestling.[135]

Angle returned on the May 20 episode of Impact! as a face and was ranked number two by the Championship Committee in the inaugural top 10 rankings for a World Heavyweight title shot. Angle, however, decided to take his name out of the running for a title shot and vowed to fight his way through the top 10 and earn his spot at the top of the company.[136] At Slammiversary VIII Angle started his climb back to the top by defeating Kazarian, who was ranked number ten.[137] Angle continued his climb, defeating Desmond Wolfe, who was ranked number nine prior to the match, on the June 24 episode of Impact!, and D'Angelo Dinero, ranked number eight, at Victory Road.[138][139] Prior to his match with Dinero, Angle announced that should he lose on his way to the top of the rankings, he would retire from professional wrestling[140] On the July 22 episode of Impact! Angle defeated number seven ranked Hernandez and followed that up three weeks later by defeating number six ranked A.J. Styles.[141][142] On the August 19 episode of Impact! the TNA World Heavyweight Championship was vacated and instead of continuing his climb, Angle was entered into an eight-man tournament for the title, defeating X Division Champion Douglas Williams in his first round match.[143] At No Surrender Angle first wrestled Jeff Hardy to a twenty-minute time limit draw, after which Eric Bischoff ordered a five-minute extra time. After that and a second five-minute extra time also ended in draws, it was ruled that, due to a cut, Angle wouldn't be allowed to continue the match, ending the match in a no contest.[144] After wrestling a draw on the September 16 episode of Impact!, it was announced that both Angle and Hardy would advance to the finals at Bound for Glory, to wrestle Mr. Anderson in a three–way match.[145]

Feud with Jeff Jarrett (2010–2011)

At Bound for Glory Angle was defeated by Hardy, when he turned heel and pinned Anderson, after an interference from Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, who then went on to form an alliance named Immortal, with Hardy, Abyss and Jeff Jarrett.[146] On the following episode of Impact! Angle came out to make his retirement speech, after his failed attempt to win the World Heavyweight Championship, but was interrupted by Jarrett, who announced that he had made a deal with Hogan and Bischoff in order to end Angle's career at Bound for Glory, before attacking him, when he was restrained by TNA's security officers Gunner and Murphy.[147] The following week Angle returned, trying to get his hands on Bischoff and Ric Flair, before being stopped by TNA's security officers.[148] Angle returned three weeks later on the November 11 episode of Impact!, saving Samoa Joe from Jeff Jarrett, Gunner and Murphy.[149] After not appearing again for two weeks, Angle made another return on the December 2 episode of Impact!, saving Samoa Joe from Jeff Jarrett and Abyss.[150]

Angle and Jeff Jarrett at Slammiversary IX

On the January 6, 2011, episode of Impact! Angle interrupted Jarrett's $100,000 Mixed Martial Arts Challenge and signed a contract to face him at Genesis in an MMA exhibition match, since he had promised not to wrestle again.[151] The match was thrown out in the third round after Jarrett blinded Angle. After the match Jarrett bloodied Angle, before announcing that he was ending his mixed martial arts career and promised that his wife, Karen Jarrett (formerly Karen Angle), would join the retirement party.[152] On the January 13 episode of Impact! Karen made her return and stopped Angle just as he was about to attack Jeff, telling him that she would not allow him to ruin their personal lives and promised to tell all about their divorce the following week.[153] The following week Karen slapped Kurt, providing a distraction which allowed Jeff to beat him down. At the end of the show Crimson saved Angle from a beating at the hands of Immortal and Fortune.[154] The following week Ric Flair reinstated Angle in order to place him and Crimson in a seven–on–two handicap match against Jarrett, James Storm, Robert Roode, Kazarian, Rob Terry, Gunner and Murphy. The match ended with Jarrett pinning Angle for the win. Afterwards, Angle was saved from another beatdown by the returning Scott Steiner.[155] The following week Fortune turned on Immortal and aligned themselves with Angle, Crimson and Steiner.[156] On February 13 at Against All Odds Jarrett defeated Angle in a singles match and as a result Angle was forced to walk Karen down the aisle, when she and Jarrett renewed their wedding vows on the March 3 episode of Impact!. After the match Angle hinted at a possible retirement by leaving his wrestling boots in the ring.[157] On March 3 Angle proceeded to destroy the wedding set with an axe and forced wedding guest, New York Jet Bart Scott to submit with the ankle lock.[158] On April 17 at Lockdown, Jarrett defeated Angle in an "Ultra Male Rules" Two out of Three Falls steel cage match, with help from Karen.[159] On the May 12 episode of Impact!, Angle revealed Chyna as his backup in taking care of the Jarretts.[160] At Sacrifice, Angle and Chyna defeated the Jarretts in a mixed tag team match.[161] Later that same month, Angle signed a new three-year contract with TNA.[162] With Karen out of the picture, Angle defeated Jarrett on June 12 at Slammiversary IX in what was billed as the "final battle" between the two to retain his Olympic gold medal and become the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[163] However, on the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Jarrett challenged Angle to a Parking Lot Brawl and agreed to sign a contract that would force him to move to Mexico without Angle's children, should he lose the match. Angle ended up winning the fight after choking Jarrett with a shirt, forcing him to say "adiós".[164]

Regaining championships (2011–2012)

With his feud with Jarrett behind him, Angle aligned himself with Sting to feud with the rest of Immortal, including the group's newest member, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Mr. Anderson.[165] On the July 14 episode of Impact Wrestling, Angle helped Sting regain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship from Anderson.[166] On August 7 at Hardcore Justice, Angle defeated Sting, after hitting him with a chair he snatched away from Hulk Hogan, to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for the record-breaking fifth time, thus turning heel.[167] On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Angle explained that he did not agree with Sting, who, using the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, wanted to hand the promotion back to Dixie Carter, as he had found out that she had lied to him about not knowing of the relationship between Karen and Jeff Jarrett. When Sting confronted Angle, he was attacked by Hogan, which led to Angle revealing that Hogan had been the one who had exposed Carter's lie to him. Angle also revealed that his goal was now to ruin Carter's youth movement in TNA by eliminating the younger wrestlers one-by-one and started by attacking Bound for Glory Series leader Crimson after the main event, cementing his heel turn.[168] Angle made his first televised title defense on the September 1 episode of Impact Wrestling, defeating Sting in a rematch, following interference from special enforcer Hulk Hogan and the rest of Immortal.[169] The following week, Angle's title match with Mr. Anderson ended in a disqualification, following interference from Immortal, which led to a three-way match between Angle, Anderson and Sting on September 11 at No Surrender, where Angle managed to retain the title, following interference from Hogan.[170][171] On October 16 at Bound for Glory, Angle successfully defended the title against Bobby Roode.[172] On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Angle lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Roode's tag team partner, James Storm.[173][174]

Angle returned on the November 17 episode of Impact Wrestling, attacking James Storm and revealing himself as the man who had attacked and bloodied him also the previous week, costing him his match with Bobby Roode for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[175] On December 11 at Final Resolution, Angle was defeated by Storm in a singles match.[176] On January 8, 2012, at Genesis, Angle defeated Storm in a rematch.[177] On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Storm defeated Angle in a number one contender's match.[178]

Angle returned on the February 16 episode of Impact Wrestling, costing Jeff Hardy his shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[179] On March 18 at Victory Road, Angle defeated Hardy in a singles match, pinning him while grabbing a hold of the ring ropes.[180] On April 15 at Lockdown, Hardy defeated Angle in a rematch, contested inside a steel cage.[181] On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Angle defeated A.J. Styles, following interference from Styles' rivals Christopher Daniels and Kazarian.[182] The following week, Angle warned the two Immortal associates never to interfere in one of his matches again.[183]

On May 13 at Sacrifice, Angle defeated Styles in a rematch, following another interference from Daniels and Kazarian. After the match, Angle made the save for Styles, chasing Daniels and Kazarian out of the ring, and becoming a face once again.[184][185] On June 10 at Slammiversary, Angle and Styles defeated Daniels and Kazarian to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship.[186] On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Angle entered the 2012 Bound for Glory Series, taking part in the opening gauntlet match, from which he was eliminated by Daniels.[187] Two weeks later, Angle and Styles lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship back to Daniels and Kazarian.[188] Angle wrestled his final match in the 2012 Bound for Glory Series on the August 30 episode of Impact Wrestling, losing to Jeff Hardy, which caused him to get eliminated from the tournament.[189]

On September 9 at No Surrender, Angle and Styles unsuccessfully challenged Daniels and Kazarian for the TNA World Tag Team Championship.[190] Angle and Styles received another title shot against Daniels and Kazarian on October 14 at Bound for Glory, in a three-way match, which was won by Chavo Guerrero, Jr. and Hernandez.[191] On the following episode of Impact Wrestling, Angle defeated Daniels and Styles in a three-way match to become one of four wrestlers in consideration for a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[192]

New Main Event Mafia (2012–2013)

The following week, Angle was chosen as the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated by Jeff Hardy in his title match. Afterwards, Angle was attacked by Aces & Eights.[193] At Turning Point, Angle defeated Aces & Eights member Devon via submission, despite the rest of Aces & Eights trying to interfere.[194] Angle continued his feud with Aces & Eights on the December 6 episode of Impact Wrestling, defeating DOC via disqualification after the rest of Aces & Eights interfered.[195] Three days later at Final Resolution, Angle teamed with Garett Bischoff, Samoa Joe, and Wes Brisco to defeat Devon, DOC, and two masked members of Aces & Eights in an eight-man tag team match.[196] Angle unsuccessfully challenged Devon for the TNA Television Championship on the edition of December 20 of Impact Wrestling, after interference from Aces & Eights, Garett Bischoff, Samoa Joe, and Wes Brisco.[197] On the January 3, 2013, episode of Impact Wrestling, Angle and Samoa Joe defeated Devon and a masked member of Aces & Eights in a steel cage tag team match. Afterwards, the returning Sting saved Angle and Joe from a beatdown from Aces & Eights before revealing the mystery member as the debuting Mike Knox.[198] The following week, Angle was sidelined with a storyline injury after Knox hit him in the neck with a ball-peen hammer.[199] Angle returned to in-ring action on the January 31 Impact Wrestling, defeating Aces & Eights member Mr. Anderson in a steel cage match. Afterwards, Angle's two allies Garret Bischoff and Wes Brisco revealed themselves as members of Aces & Eights and attacked him.[200] Angle infiltrated the Aces & Eights hideout on the February 28 Impactand managed to unmask their Vice President, but was beat down by the other members before he could reveal his identity to the cameras.[201] Angle revealed the Vice President as D'Lo Brown on the following episode of Impact.[202] At Lockdown, Angle was defeated by Wes Brisco in a steel cage match, following interference from Brown.[203] Angle was defeated by Jeff Hardy in a four-way number one contenders match for the World Heavyweight Championship, which also included Magnus and Samoa Joe on the March 21 Impact Wrestling.[204] In the following weeks, Angle continued to face Bischoff and Brisco in multiple tag team and handicap matches, that all ended with the two getting the advantage over Angle.[205][206][207]

Angle then began feuding with A.J. Styles, after Styles refused to answer Angle's question on whether he is with TNA or the Aces & Eights which led to a brawl between the two on the May 9 episode of Impact Wrestling.[208] On June 2 at Slammiversary XI, Angle was announced as the second inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame.[209] Later that night, Angle defeated Styles in a singles match.[210] On the following Impact Wrestling, Angle got into a verbal confrontation with the debuting Rampage Jackson who claimed he had to beat the best to be the best.[211] The following week, Angle was defeated by Styles in a rematch to earn the final spot in the 2013 Bound for Glory Series.

Afterward, Angle was assaulted by Aces & Eights until Jackson came out and made the save.[212] On June 20 Angle attacked TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bully Ray at the end of the Impact episode, and revealed himself as the first member of Sting's New Main Event Mafia.[213] In the following weeks, Angle and Sting recruited Samoa Joe, Magnus, and Rampage Jackson as members of the New Main Event Mafia.[214][215][216] Beginning on August 2, Angle took a hiatus from TNA after being admitted to rehab for drug and alcohol use.[217]

Director of Wrestling Operations (2013–2014)

Angle returned on the edition of October 10 of Impact attacking EGO and challenged Bobby Roode to a match at Bound For Glory. The following week, Angle stated his discontentment with Roode mocking his Hall of Fame induction and told Roode he would make him tap out. Roode responded by attacking Angle with help from his faction, EGO, forcing Angle to submit to the crossface hold in a precursory act prior to their match. At the PPV Angle was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame but he refused to accept the offer as he felt he had let himself, TNA and the fans down and didn't deserve a Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He also said he would accept the offer when he feels he has earned it and he still has great things to do in TNA. Later in that night, Angle was defeated by Roode, after he landed awkwardly from a running belly-to-belly suplex.[218] On October 31 episode of Impact, Angle lied about gaining medical clearance Angle suffered (kayfabe) convulsions during the match against Bobby Roode after a bad landing from the same move again, which resulted in referee Brian Hebner rewarding a knock out/count-out victory to Roode.[219] After the match, he also showed signs of post-concussive amnesia.[220] On November 5, Angle was reported to had tested negative for concussion, but his recurring knee injuries still required monitoring.[221] The following week, Angle saw the New Main Event Mafia being disbanded, then he was attacked by Roode after he accused him to use his injuries to get out of the match. On November 14, Angle won a submission match against Austin Aries in the World title tournament, but by using Roode's finisher: arm trap crossface, with Roode watching on at the ramp.[222] However, Angle lost his next match against Magnus due to an interference from Roode. At Final Resolution, Angle was defeated by Roode in a 2-out-of 3 falls match, but Angle beat Roode in a Steel Cage match at Genesis to end the feud.

On February 6, 2014, Angle had a match against Magnus. However, he won by DQ, when EC3 attacked him, performing a leglock, which injured his knee. On February 27, 2014, Angle officially accepted his induction into the TNA Hall of Fame, but the ceremony was interrupted by EC3, Angle attacked Ethan Carter III, on the next week, Angle was attacked by Ethan Carter III and severely damaged his knees, thus losing his chance to fight at Lockdown.[223] Angle made his return on April 17, and vowing revenge.[224] On April 24, after Kurt defeated Rockstar Spud in a match, EC3 attacked Angle but Willow made the save. At Sacrifice Willow and Kurt Angle defeated Ethan Carter III and Rockstar Spud. In May, Angle underwent ACL repair surgery and was sidelined.

On June 20, 2014, Angle was named Executive Director of Wrestling Operations of TNA by TNA's Board of Directors. He announced a TNA World Heavyweight Championship rematch for the edition of July 3 of Impact Wrestling between Lashley and Eric Young, and reinstate Bobby Roode, who had been indefinitely suspended by MVP. Angle also retired the TNA Television Championship, which had not been seen or defended since Abyss won it at Slammiversary 2013. On September 18, 2014 (aired on October 29 due to tape delay), Angle refereed the TNA World Heavyweight Championship between Bobby Roode and Bobby Lashley. Angle's contract with TNA was due to expire on September 14, 2014. Around this time he reached out to Vince McMahon to offer his services for a return to the WWE. Unbeknownst to him Triple H had taken over McMahon's former duties. Angle offered to return as a part-time wrestler due to concerns of his age and health. Angle was caught off guard when WWE declined his services. It is speculated that WWE only offered a full-time contract which Angle didn't accept or WWE declined his return due to past relationship issues with him. After he was denied by WWE, he quickly signed a part-time contract with TNA Wrestling. On September 21, 2014, Angle's contract with TNA expired, ending his eight-year tenure with the company.[225] Angle teased a return to WWE, however, he was offered a full-time contract, so Angle decided to stay with TNA.[225]

Final storylines (2015–2016)

Angle returned to in-ring action on TNA's debut on Destination America on January 7, 2015, when he stopped a brawl, but started a street fight against MVP.[226] On January 31, 2015 (aired March 20), Angle defeated Lashley to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for a record sixth time. He lost to Eric Young on May 1, in a stretcher match with the title not on the line. He successfully retained his title against Lashley once and then again against both Lashley and Eric Young. On May 8, Angle defeated Young to retain his title with Bully Ray as the special referee. At Destination X, Kurt Angle defeated Rockstar Spud, who gave up the X Division Championship in order to challenge for the title. Later that night, Angle again successfully defended his title, this time against Austin Aries, who cashed in his Feast or Fired contract to allow him a title match. On the June 25, 2015 taping of Impact Wrestling (aired July 1), Angle lost the championship to Ethan Carter III. On the July 8 episode of Impact Wrestling, Angle faced Carter in a rematch, in a losing effort. On October 4, 2015, at Bound for Glory, Angle defeated Young via ankle lock submission. On November 19, 2015, Kurt Angle was announced for TNA's live debut on Pop. On the November 25, 2015, episode of Impact Wrestling, Angle announced that he would remain with TNA until the conclusion of their Maximum Impact Tour of the UK on January 31, 2016, after which he would part ways with the company.[227] Angle announced his "Farewell Tour" which took place on TNA's tour of the UK. Angle's final match was against Lashley on March 8, 2016 which ended up in a losing effort.[228]

New Japan Pro Wrestling (2007–2009)

On February 18, 2007, Angle made his debut in New Japan Pro Wrestling, teaming with former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yuji Nagata to defeat fellow TNA wrestler Travis Tomko and fellow WWE alumnus Giant Bernard.[7]

Angle was booked to face Brock Lesnar in a champion versus champion match for the Inoki Genome Federation on June 29, 2007, and defeated him by submission for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship,[229] and he challenged him to an MMA fight.[230] On December 19, 2007, Angle defended the IWGP World Title successfully against Kendo Kashin.[231]

On January 4, 2008, Angle made his third successful IWGP World Championship defense when he defeated Yuji Nagata at the New Japan Pro Wrestling supershow Wrestle Kingdom II in Tokyo Dome by forcing Nagata to submit to the ankle lock.[232] On February 17, 2008, Angle lost the IWGP title to Shinsuke Nakamura in a unification match.[233] He returned in August during the G1 Climax in two special tag matches with A.J. Styles as his main opponent. In those matches Shinsuke Nakamura and Masahiro Chono became Angle's partners while Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinjiro Otani became Styles' partners. Angle's team won both matches.[234]

He returned on January 4, 2009, at Wrestle Kingdom III in Tokyo Dome in a special eight man tag match, where he, Kevin Nash, Chono, and Riki Choshu faced G.B.H. (Giant Bernard, Karl Anderson, Takashi Iizuka and Tomohiro Ishii), with Angle getting the win for his team.[235] Angle then went on to defeat Bernard in a singles match at New Japan's ISM tour on February 15.[236] After Hiroshi Tanahashi retained the IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Nakamura in the main event, Angle challenged him for the title, which Tanahashi accepted.[236] Tanahashi defeated Angle on April 5 at New Japan's Resolution '09 to retain the title.[237]

Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (2012)

Angle made his debut for Mexican promotion Asistencia Asesoría y Administración (AAA) on August 5, 2012, at Triplemanía XX, where he teamed up with Jeff Jarrett as Team Dorian Roldán in a Hair vs. Hair match, where they faced Team Joaquín Roldán (Electroshock and L.A. Park), with the Roldáns' hairs on the line. Electroshock won the match for his team by pinning Angle, forcing Dorian to have his head shaved bald. However, after the match, Angle, Jarrett and Dorian overpowered the winners and shaved Joaquín bald.[238]

Independent circuit (2016–present)

On March 20, 2016, Angle competed for URFight, going against former rival and fellow WWE alumnus Rey Mysterio in a losing effort in a two-falls match that saw Angle as heel by using dirty tactics. Angle wrestled for Revolution Pro Wrestling on June 12, where he defeated Zack Sabre Jr. On August 27, Angle lost to Cody Rhodes at Northeast Wrestling's "Wrestling Under the Stars" on August 27 in Wappingers Falls, New York.[239] During the July 27, 2016 tapings for What Culture Pro Wrestling it was revealed that Angle would be appearing at their October 6, 2016 tapings to face Cody Rhodes .[240] On November 20, 2016, Angle lost to Joe Coffey at Insane Championship Wrestling at Fear & Loathing IX.

Olympic Games Matches

Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location Notes
Win 5-0 Iran Abbas Jadidi 1-1 1996-07-31 1996 Summer Olympics United States Atlanta, Georgia final
Win 4-0 Kyrgyzstan Konstantin Aleksandrov 4-1 1996-07-31 1996 Summer Olympics United States Atlanta, Georgia round 4
Win 3-0 Russia Sagid Murtazaliev 4-3 1996-07-31 1996 Summer Olympics United States Atlanta, Georgia round 3
Win 2-0 Cuba Wilfredo Morales 2-0 1996-07-30 1996 Summer Olympics United States Atlanta, Georgia round 2
Win 1-0 Mongolia Dolgorsürengiin Sumyaabazar 4-0 1996-07-30 1996 Summer Olympics United States Atlanta, Georgia round 1

Acting career

Angle has expressed interest on several occasions in pursuing an acting career after retiring from professional wrestling.[30] In 2008, he made his film debut as a racist prison deputy in the short film Chains.[241] In 2009, he played serial killer Brad Mayfield in the film End Game. On a third season episode of Pros vs. Joes, he was teamed up with Jimmy Smith and Kendall Gill against the Joes. Angle appeared in the "Car Wreck Vanish" episode of Criss Angel Mindfreak. He played Russian MMA champion Koba (in a non-speaking role) in the 2011 film Warrior, and starred as town sheriff Will Logan in the film River of Darkness.[242][243] On the Right After Wrestling program on Sirius Satellite Radio, Angle revealed he would become a part-time wrestler after his contract expired in 2011 to focus on Angle Foods and his acting career.[244] In the 2013 film Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies, he plays himself as both a human and a zombie.[245] Angle also had a small role in the 2014 cult-film Sharknado 2: The Second One and in the 2014 romantic-comedy film Not Cool. He appeared in the film The Last Witch Hunter.[246] He also made a cameo appearance in the movie Pain and Gain in which he brawls against Dwayne Johnson's character in a prison fight. Angle appeared on an episode of Duck Dynasty in February 2016.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2009 End Game Brad Mayfield
2009 Chains Deputy Short film
2011 Dylan Dog: Dead of Night Wolfgang
2011 River of Darkness Sheriff Will Logan
2011 Waking Up Crush Carlisle Short film
2011 Warrior Koba
2012 Beyond the Mat Coach Kamen
2012 Death from Above Thule
2012 Drummer for the Mob FBI agent
2012 Olympic Trials with Kurt Angle Himself Funny or Die short
2013 Pain & Gain Benjamin Rowe (Prison inmate)
2013 Horse Cops Eli Paste All Def Digital Series
2013 Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies Himself
2014 Sharknado 2: The Second One Fire Chief
2014 Not Cool Security guard
2015 The Last Witch Hunter Body guard

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Fox 53 Ten O'Clock News Himself Sportscaster: "The Angle on Sports"
2001 The Weakest Link Himself
2007 Inside MMA Himself Season 1, Episodes 10 and 11
2008 Pros vs. Joes Himself Season 3, Episode 1
2009 Criss Angel Mindfreak Himself Episode: "Car Wreck Vanish"
2011 Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Himself
2013 Baal Veer[247] Special appearance
2016 Duck Dynasty Himself Episode: Van He'llsing

Other endeavors

In 1997, Angle worked for a year as a sportscaster on Pittsburgh's local Fox affiliate WPGH-TV.[248][249] He also did a commercial for Pittsburgh-based pizza chain Pizza Outlet.

Mixed martial arts

Angle is a longtime fan of MMA, and has occasionally talked about his desire to compete. UFC president Dana White stated that Angle was in talks to appear as a heavyweight contestant on the 10th season of The Ultimate Fighter, but failed the medical requirements. Angle signed with Bellator MMA on October 28, 2015. He attended a fan convention on November 6, the eve of Bellator 145, then joined the commentary booth the next night, during the Bobby Lashley vs James Thompson match, where he teased possibly fighting for the promotion himself.[250]

Personal life

Angle being helped by his then-wife Karen, with their daughter Kyra watching at ringside

Angle was born in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania, the son of Jackie and David Angle. [251] He attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a degree in education in 1993.[252] Angle is a Christian.[253][254][255]

Angle has four older brothers (one of whom, Eric, is also a wrestler) and a sister, Le'Anne, who died in 2003.[256] His father, a crane operator,[257] was killed in a construction accident when Angle was sixteen, and Angle dedicated both his career and his autobiography It's True, It's True to him as a result. Angle stated in an interview that, following the death of his father, he regarded his wrestling coach, David Schultz, as a paternal figure. While training Angle, Schultz was murdered in January 1996 by John Eleuthère du Pont, the sponsor of Schultz's team of Olympic prospectives.[24][25][26] Angle's mother died in 2015 after a long battle with cancer.[258]

He married Karen Smedley[259] on December 19, 1998,[260] In September 2008, it was reported that Karen had filed for divorce from Kurt.[261] They have two children together, a daughter named Kyra Angle (born December 2, 2002) and son named Kody Angle (born October 26, 2006).[262]

In 2010, It was reported that Angle was engaged to actress Giovanna Yannotti.[263] On September 30, 2010, Yannotti announced that the couple was expecting their first child.[264] On January 22, 2011, Yannotti gave birth to a daughter named Giuliana Marie Angle.[265] Angle and Yannotti were married on July 20, 2012.[266] They had their second child together and fourth for Angle, a daughter named Sophia Laine Angle on New Year's Eve, 2012.[267] Their third child together and fifth for Angle, a daughter named Nikoletta Sky Angle, was born on November 5, 2016.[268]

Angle is a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.[269]

In 2008, Angle was selected to be featured on the cover for metal band Emmure's second album The Respect Issue where he is depicted on the front and back covers for the record as well as in the inlay. Angle also further promoted the album by wearing an Emmure shirt during fights broadcast on TNA Impact!.[270]

In July 2015, Angle was expected to make an appearance at London Comic Con in England but his management team tweeted that Angle underwent emergency surgery to remove fluid buildup on his spinal cord after all of his extremities went numb.[271] A week before this emergency, he had surgery to remove a benign tumor from his neck.[272]

Angle is a Republican and supported Marco Rubio for President in 2016.[273]

Steroid allegations

On March 6, 2007, Sports Illustrated reported that Angle's name was found in the client database of a Florida wellness center suspected of being a front for distributing performance-enhancing drugs.[274] The magazine alleged Angle had received prescriptions for trenbolone (which is not approved for human use by the FDA) and nandrolone, both anabolic steroids. Angle responded on his official website: "I did not improperly receive prescriptions. It is well documented that in my career I have broken vertebrae in my neck on five occasions and each time the course of treatment was under the care and supervision of my doctors. Any attempt to link me to the athletes in the current news accounts who may have improperly sought performance-enhancing drugs is without foundation."[275]

Approximately two weeks later on March 19, 2007, Sports Illustrated posted on its website another article in its continuing series investigating a steroid and HGH ring used by a number of professional athletes in several sports. That article mentioned that 10 other professional wrestlers were implicated to have received performance-enhancing drugs from the same drug ring including four WWE wrestlers and Eddie Guerrero.[276] Kurt never failed a drug test for pain pills. He did, however, fail a steroid test under WWE's Wellness Policy because his prescription for Deca-Durabolin had expired.[277]

Legal issues

Angle was arrested at his home by Moon Township, Pennsylvania police on September 28, 2007, on a charge of driving under the influence after being reported by a woman who claimed that he almost hit her while leaving a local restaurant. Officials said Angle failed a field sobriety test but refused a blood test. Angle was charged with driving under the influence and careless driving,[278] but he denied the charges.[279] On September 9, 2008, Angle was cleared of all charges pertaining to his DUI arrest.[280]

On August 15, 2009, Pittsburgh-based NBC affiliate WPXI reported that Angle had been arrested. His girlfriend stated that she had filed a protection from abuse (PFA) order and that he was stalking her in the Robinson Township area. Angle was charged with "driving while operating privilege is suspended, prohibited acts-possession, harassment and prohibited acts". Hygetropin, a human growth hormone, was found in his car; Angle maintained that he had a prescription for the drug.[281] On September 15, a District Court Judge dropped the harassment, suspended license, and drug charges against Angle. On November 9, 2009, the PFA charges were dropped after he and former girlfriend Trenesha Biggers reached an agreement to avoid contact with each other.[282]

On March 25, 2011, Angle was arrested in Thompson, North Dakota and charged with "being in control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated" after failing a field sobriety test.[283][284][285] Angle later pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced on April 20 to one year of unsupervised probation, a chemical dependency evaluation, a $250 fine, $225 in court fees, and a ten-day suspended sentence.[286][287]

Angle was arrested on September 4, 2011, by Virginia State Troopers for allegedly driving under the influence. Angle was placed in Warren County Jail, before posting $2,000 bail and being released in the early morning.[288][289] State police revealed that Angle's initial breath test at the scene, where he was stopped by police showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.091 percent, which was above the legal limit of 0.08 percent.[290] The test was later ruled not admissible and when a second test, taken at the police station, showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.06, the DUI charge was dropped. Angle was still charged with reckless driving.[291] On November 8, 2011, Angle entered a plea of no contest and was fined $1,500.[292]

On August 2, 2013, Angle was again charged with driving while intoxicated in Decatur, Texas.[293] Later that same day, Angle announced he was immediately entering a rehabilitation center.[217]

In wrestling

Angle applies an ankle lock on Samoa Joe
Angle attempting the Angle Slam/Olympic slam on Joe
Angle performing a moonsault on Jeff Jarrett at Bound for Glory IV

Wrestlers trained

Championships and accomplishments

Amateur wrestling

Professional wrestling

1 ^ Angle originally won both tag team championship belts from solo championship holder Samoa Joe. Sting won a four-way match to win the other share of the title, and joined Angle in his reign midway through.

2 ^ Won during the Invasion storyline.

Luchas de Apuestas record

Winner (wager) Loser (wager) Location Event Date Notes
Edge (hair) Kurt Angle (hair) Nashville, Tennessee Judgment Day May 19, 2002 [333]

Notes

  1. 1 2 Milner, John; Kamchen, Richard. "Kurt Angle". Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Kurt Angle". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  3. ↑ ">"Kurt Angle". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved 2016-10-24.
  4. 1 2 3 "Kurt Angle". WWE. Retrieved November 8, 2016.
  5. ↑ "TNA Profile". TNA Wrestling. Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2007.
  6. ↑
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Kurt Angle's Profile". Online World of Wrestling. Retrieved September 3, 2007.
  8. ↑ Williams, Ian (December 21, 2015). "The Great, Half-Forgotten Career of Kurt Angle Draws to a Close". Vice Sports. Retrieved December 29, 2015. The year of Angle's debut, 1998.
  9. 1 2 3 "Kurt Angle". International Sports HOF. Retrieved 2016-02-12.
  10. 1 2 "Angle named Greatest Shoot Wrestler of All-Time". WWE. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  11. ↑ "European Championship – Kurt Angle". WWE. Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
  12. ↑ "6 Superstars who have won every active title: Photos". WWE. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  13. 1 2 Beltrán, William (August 3, 2010). "Según el Wrestling Observer... ¿Quiénes son los mejores los mejores de la década?" (in Spanish). SuperLuchas Magazine. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  14. ↑ Moser, John J (January 5, 2016). "Pro wrestling great Kurt Angle says matches at Sands Bethlehem Event Center, will be among his last and best". The Morning Call. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  15. ↑ Angle, Kurt (September 18, 2001). It's true, it's true (Hardcover ed.). HarperEntertainment. p. 13. ISBN 0-06-039327-0.
  16. 1 2 3 Angle, Kurt (September 18, 2001). It's true, it's true (Hardcover ed.). HarperEntertainment. p. 53. ISBN 0-06-039327-0.
  17. ↑ Angle, Kurt (September 18, 2001). It's true, it's true (Hardcover ed.). HarperEntertainment. p. 27. ISBN 0-06-039327-0.
  18. ↑ Angle, Kurt (September 18, 2001). It's true, it's true (Hardcover ed.). HarperEntertainment. p. 62. ISBN 0-06-039327-0.
  19. ↑ Angle, Kurt (September 18, 2001). It's true, it's true (Hardcover ed.). HarperEntertainment. p. 48. ISBN 0-06-039327-0.
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  324. ↑ "Total Nonstop Action Wrestling official title history". TNA Wrestling. Archived from the original on June 21, 2008. Retrieved June 24, 2008.
  325. ↑ "TNA World Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. Retrieved January 15, 2008.
  326. ↑ "WWE World Heavyweight Championship History". WWE. Retrieved August 28, 2007.
  327. ↑ "WCW World Championship History". WWE. Retrieved August 28, 2007.
  328. ↑ "World Heavyweight Championship History". WWE. Retrieved August 28, 2007.
  329. ↑ "US Title History". WWE. Retrieved August 28, 2007.
  330. ↑ "European Championshipweb". WWE. Retrieved August 28, 2007.
  331. ↑ "Intercontinental Championship History". WWE. Retrieved August 28, 2007.
  332. ↑ "WWE Tag Team Championship History". WWE. Retrieved August 28, 2007.
  333. ↑ Copeland, Adam (November 2004). Adam Copeland on Edge. WWE Books. p. 204. ISBN 0-7434-8347-2.

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