![]() |
![]() |
#1 |
1-0 TPWW Chess Master
Posts: 17,211
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Discuss the Wrestler #4- Kurt Angle
Sorry about the delay on discussing this. Busy with a few things in life.
This week, we will discuss the career of the Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle. I was always a fan of Angle no matter what promotion he was in. The only down period was his last run in WWE because you could tell he just didn't have it in him anymore. What say you? |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Higher. Further. Faster.
Posts: 21,068
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I never saw his stint in TNA so I can only rave about his WWE run. It took him a bit to get to that smooth worker status, but he absolutely nailed the entertainment aspect of the business almost from the beginning. Goofy Kurt was gold and I could watch those old skits of his all day. From Edge & Christian to tiny cowboy hats to Trish Stratus cleavage, it was all good. Of course, Serious Kurt was where we got the phenomenal in-ring shit. Everyone from Shawn Michaels to the Undertaker to Eddie Guerrero to >>>REDACTED<<< enjoyed at least one incredible match with him. The end of his run is kind of tainted with the whole rehab drama and he had a few misfires like the nonsense with Sharmell, but I would imagine a lot of young guys would kill for a run that Kurt has.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Reigning Tipsters Champ!
Posts: 2,088
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
In terms of overall package, there has never been anyone as complete as Kurt Angle. He was as good a worker as anyone in the business and his character work and acting chops were superb for a wrestler.
Fantastic comedic timing and reactions, incredible intensity (especially as Perc Angle)and the ability to make you care about whatever he was doing. It would be genuinely hard to make an argument for any other performer in the business being as well rounded as he was. He had everything and that’s only highlighted by being in an era where athleticism is so high, but there is such poor character work. Kurt was an infinitely better character who could outwork even the biggest workrate merchant. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Skibbidy Lock Jaw
Posts: 88,586
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Kurt Angle was one of the best of all time, just sad to think about how much he got tarnished by the end of his career.
I liked him in TNA when he first showed up but at the same time it was a bit "sad" at him "needing help" for his various issues, but instead just leaving WWE and going to TNA just so he could keep wrestling and going as he did. Still, he wasn't bad and I enjoyed TNA a lot during a brief period.... but then the more years he spent there and the quality of TNA on a whole began to dip and he was still there just.... felt like "tarnishing his career".... Then when he finally got back to WWE he was just a shell of his former self and seemed like he couldn't go in the ring or on the mic anymore.... All in all... one of the GoaTs but then incredibly sad to see where/how he ended.... |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
TPWW's #3 Peep
Posts: 20,902
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Absolutely one of the best of all time. Maybe not the "greatest", especially in terms of drawing power, mainstream appeal etc. But certainly, without doubt one of the "best". Fantastic in the ring, on the mic, great look, could play any role and wrestle pretty much any style, and able to work with anyone.
His match at the Royal Rumble with Chris Benoit is one of my top three matches of all time |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Posts: 61,493
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The whole gimmick was a thing to try and make fun of me. You can stop pretending you need to remember a wrestler’s name in between being busy.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Shelly Martinez = Ratings
Posts: 23,606
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Absolutely one of the best to ever do it.
Things got messy toward the end of his TNA run, and his WWE return was not the best. But his overall body of work is amazing and outweighs the duds for me. He could have a good-to-great match with anyone. His character work was top-notch: face, heel, goofy, serious - didn't matter. All-around top guy for sure. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
The Classic Dylan Staples
Posts: 51,439
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Excited for the return of my favorite thread series Discuss the Wrestler
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 | |
Posts: 61,493
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Quote:
![]() |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Posts: 61,493
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Come to think of it, Kurt Angle is probably the first wrestler I ever really saw become great in front of my eyes. He was WWF Champion when I started watching. I can’t remember exactly when it dawned on me I was watching someone truly special. It was honestly probably 2002. I think he really clicked into place then.
I still smile when I think about him throwing a punch at Chris Benoit in their WrestleMania 17 match. Just delicious. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Posts: 61,493
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Angle vs. Brock, SummerSlam ‘03 kind of gets left out of Kurt Angle greatness. Actually, Kurt had a streak of really great SummerSlam matches there (from Austin, to Rey, to Brock).
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
CodeBot Engaged...WOAAHH!
Posts: 9,775
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Angle was always entertaining, but he was the highlight of the entire Invasion period with Stone Cold.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Blander Than Ever
Posts: 3,092
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Kurts amazing, the sheer volume of his TNA work as aportion of his overall career means he may never get the nod he deserves from many but he was next level and so well rounded in all areas.
I am gutted he didnt go for longer but also thankful were not celebrating him in memorial with the drug stuff. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
World Class References
Posts: 30,952
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I have always loved Kirk Angel, his transition from big sports to little sports was seamless. God bless American.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
The Classic Dylan Staples
Posts: 51,439
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Will somebody PLEASE discuss the wrestler
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Posts: 61,493
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Has anyone seen that Kurt Angle vs. Christian match from the WWE Vault? Apparently Kurt’s first match in front of people. Kurt is cornered by Dory Funk, Jr. and Christian by Jim Cornette.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Skibbidy Lock Jaw
Posts: 88,586
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Just watched it Christian showing early on why many people consider him one of the greatest of all time |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Posts: 61,493
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
It’d be nice if he came out of retirement for One More Match.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
( ._.)
Posts: 14,193
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Please don't. He's so old and beaten up.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Posts: 493
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Kurt Angle is one of the top 5 wrestlers of all time and I dont think he gets the legendary status he deserves. Kurt literally was on top of every aspect of what a wrestler should be, charisma, mic skills, character, wrestling skills etc. The true definition of a total package.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
Posts: 61,493
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Let’s talk great Kurt Angle matches. Anyone got any hidden gems people may have forgotten about?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
( ._.)
Posts: 14,193
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Hard to think of anyone who would have a bad match with Angle... How was his match with Hogan? Was that good? If it was I'd considered it a hidden gem.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 |
Posts: 61,493
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
The Ultimate Submission from Backlash ‘01 is an interesting match. I like how they play with the idea that you can’t really get disqualified/there are no rope breaks.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 |
Posts: 61,493
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
I watched the crap out of Backlash 2002 too. Angle’s matches against Edge were what Tazz would call “rocketbusters.” It’s been a while since I’ve seen them. I really liked Edge as a face in 2002. In retrospect, his promos came out a little forced. But necklace-wearing late 20s Edge was awesome.
Everyone talks about Angle/Rey from SummerSlam 2002. Edge/Eddie was really good on that same show. RVD/Benoit, Jericho/Flair and even Taker/Test are good. I know the card is generally well regarded, but those matches feel somewhat overlooked. |
![]() |
![]() |