Kurt Angle, a name synonymous with wrestling greatness, has voiced his frustration over what he perceives as a loss of popularity for the overall scope of his storied profession. The Olympic gold medalist and WWE Hall of Famer, celebrated as one of the finest professional wrestlers of all time, has a legacy spanning decades—however he believes simplest part of it gets the credit score it certainly deserves.
The wrestling world first noticed Angle’s meteoric upward thrust while he debuted in WWE at Survivor Series 1999. His Olympic pedigree and natural aura propelled him to stardom, and inside just a yr, the Pittsburgh native held the WWE Championship. Angle went on to dominate the wrestling scene, securing more than one titles at some stage in his tenure and turning in a number of the maximum memorable suits in WWE history.
However, Angle’s journey took a huge flip in 2006 while he left WWE and joined TNA Wrestling, later known as IMPACT Wrestling. For over a decade, he redefined his profession, competing against a number of the industry’s brightest stars. Superstars like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Christopher Daniels, alongside legends inclusive of Sting, Mick Foley, and Booker T, shared the hoop with Angle for the duration of this period.
Among his many accolades in TNA, one stands proud: becoming the primary-ever TNA World Heavyweight Champion in 2007 after an electrifying triple-hazard fit towards Sting and Christian Cage. Despite his groundbreaking performances, Angle feels this chapter of his profession is regularly overshadowed through his WWE years.
In a candid communication with Bill Pritchard of WrestleZone, Angle opened up approximately his dissatisfaction:
“I always hear, ‘Kurt Angle would have been the best of all time if he stayed in WWE for 20 years.’ Maybe that’s true, but what’s the difference? I wrestled in TNA for 11 of my 20 years. I had a better career there. I came into my own wrestling guys like AJ Styles and Samoa Joe. It takes about six or seven years to master your craft, and I did that in TNA.”
Angle emphasised that his time in TNA changed into pivotal, marking his evolution as a performer. He described his tenure there as a “man on a undertaking,” during which he expanded himself and the promoting to new heights.
No More In-Ring Battles for the Wrestling Legend
Despite his craving for greater acknowledgment, Angle has no plans to return to the ring. His last WWE appearance at WrestleMania 35 in 2019 led to defeat to Baron Corbin—a conclusion he has overtly admitted was no longer his perfect farewell.
Fans had speculated approximately a potential return, specifically for a dream healthy towards his former rival John Cena, who is set to retire in 2025. However, Angle firmly dispelled such rumors, declaring that his in-ring days are over.
While his wrestling journey has officially ended, Kurt Angle’s legacy maintains to encourage, with lovers and peers alike recognizing his remarkable contributions. The debate over his TNA years versus WWE may linger, but one aspect is positive: Kurt Angle’s effect on the world of professional wrestling is indeniable.
H/T: WrestlingNews.co for the above transcription.
