Kurt Angle
Un article de Vev.
Kurt Steven Angle (born December 9 1968) is an American professional wrestler and former Olympic amateur wrestler. He currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is the current TNA World Heavyweight Champion. He is an overall 8-time World Champion as a singles wrestler according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Angle was involved in amateur wrestling during both high school and college. In college, he won numerous accolades, including being a two-time National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I champion.<ref name=ka4/><ref name=ecw173/> After graduating, he won the 1995 World Championship tournament.<ref name=ka4/> Angle then competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, where he won a gold medal in heavyweight freestyle wrestling.<ref name=ecw173/><ref name="King"/>
Initially turning down an offer to join the World Wrestling Federation (WWF),<ref name=ecw173/> Angle signed a multi-year contract with the company in 1998. As part of the WWF (and later WWE), he was a WCW United States Champion,<ref> US Title History
. WWE
. Retrieved on 2007-08-28. </ref> WCW World Heavyweight Champion,<ref> WCW Championship History
. WWE
. Retrieved on 2007-08-28. </ref> WWE Tag Team Champion,<ref> WWE Tag Team Championship History
. WWE
. Retrieved on 2007-08-28. </ref> four-time WWF/E Champion,<ref> WWE Championship History
. WWE
. Retrieved on 2007-08-28. </ref> WWF European Champion,<ref> European Championship History
. WWE
. Retrieved on 2007-08-28. </ref> WWF Hardcore Champion,<ref> Hardcore Championship History
. WWE
. Retrieved on 2007-08-28. </ref> WWF Intercontinental Champion,<ref> Intercontinental Championship History
. WWE
. Retrieved on 2007-08-28. </ref> and WWE's World Heavyweight Champion.<ref> World Heavyweight Championship History
. WWE
. Retrieved on 2007-08-28. </ref> In addition, he was the winner of the King of the Ring tournament in 2000,<ref name=pwi106/> the tenth Triple Crown Champion, and the fourth Grand Slam Champion.
After leaving WWE, Angle joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he became the second wrestler in TNA to win the Triple Crown and the first man to hold all three TNA championships simultaneously. Angle also makes appearances for the Japan based Inoki Genome Federation (IGF), where he is the current IWGP Third Belt Champion (recognized by IGF and TNA as the IWGP World Championship and by the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) as the NWA Japan Championship).<ref name="NWA Japan">"
NWA Japan Championship " , PWInsider Xtra . Retrieved on 2007-07-14 . </ref>. Angle also makes appearances for NJPW, where he is also recognized as the IWGP Third Belt Champion.
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Amateur career
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Angle attended Mt. Lebanon High School,<ref name=ka53/> where he won varsity letters in football and wrestling and was an All-State linebacker.<ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref><ref name=ka53>Modèle:Cite book</ref><ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref> He went undefeated on the freshman wrestling team at Mt. Lebanon High and qualified for the state wrestling tournament his sophomore year.<ref name=ka53/> 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.<ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref> He was a two-time National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I champion,<ref name=ka4>Modèle:Cite book</ref> national runner-up in 1991, and a 3-time NCAA Division I All-American. In addition, Angle was the 1987 USA Junior Freestyle champion, a 2-time USA Senior Freestyle champion, and the 1988 USA International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles Junior World Freestyle champion.<ref name=ecw173/>
After graduating from college, Angle continued to wrestle. In 1995, he won a gold medal at the World Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.<ref name=ka4/> Following this victory, Angle began preparing for the 1996 Summer Olympics under Dave Schultz at the Pennsylvanian Foxcatcher Club,<ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref> training between eight and ten hours a day.<ref name="Martinez"> Martinez, M.
(July 31 2007) . Professional wrestler talks shop at West Valley Mall . Tri-Valley Herald
. Retrieved on July 31, 2007. </ref> 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.<ref name="Business Wire"/><ref name=ka5/><ref name=murder> Heir Sentenced Up to 30 Years For Killing of Olympic Wrestler
. The New York Times (May 14, 1997)
. Retrieved on 2007-08-29. </ref> As a result, Angle quit John Eleuthère du Pont's team, searched for new sponsors, and joined the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club in Shultz's memory.<ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref>
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,<ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref> 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.<ref name=ka4/> The injury led to Angle's future claim of having won his Olympic gold medal "with a broken freakin' neck." In October 2006, Angle stated that he temporarily became addicted to the analgesic Vicodin after breaking his neck.<ref> Angle speaks...
. TNA Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref>
He won his gold medal in the heavyweight (90-100 kg; 198-220 lb) weight class,<ref name=ecw173/> 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 46 seconds by turning Angle, and Angle earning a point of his own with a takedown after three minutes and 11 seconds. The officials' decision was protested by Jadidi.<ref name="King"> King , Peter
. " Gripping Finish " , SI.com . Retrieved on 2007-07-14 . </ref>
Shortly after his victory, Angle turned down a contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).<ref name=ecw173/><ref name=ka200>Modèle:Cite book</ref> In the same year, he became a marketing representative for Protos Foods, the manufacturers of OSTRIM, an ostrich meat based foodstuff.<ref name="Business Wire">"
Kurt Angle, 1996 Olympic Gold Medal Wrestler Signs Multi-Year Deal With World Wrestling Federation " , Business Wire . Retrieved on 2007-07-14 . </ref><ref name=ka200/>
Professional wrestling career
Extreme Championship Wrestling (1996)
On October 26 1996, Angle was convinced by Shane Douglas to attend the taping of an Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) event named High Incident.<ref name=ecw173>Loverro, Thom. The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling (p.173)</ref> He provided guest commentary during a match between Taz and Little Guido, but left the building after Raven "crucified" The Sandman by attaching him to a cross using barbed wire.<ref>Loverro, Thom. The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling (p.172)</ref> 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.<ref name=ecw173/>
In 1997, following the incident, Angle worked for a year as a sportscaster on Pittsburgh's local FOX affiliate WPGH-TV.<ref> Thomas Chamberlin
(February 2001) . It's True: He's a Real American Hero . Wrestling Digest
. Retrieved on 2007-09-02. </ref><ref> David Agostino
(August 12, 2005) . A grateful Angle comments on hometown reception . WWE
. Retrieved on 2007-09-02. </ref> He also shot a commercial for local pizza chain Pizza Outlet.<ref>http://youtube.com/watch?v=85RYbi7re_M</ref>
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1999-2006)
In October 1998, Kurt Angle signed a five-year contract with the World Wrestling Federation. He was assigned to the Power Pro Wrestling developmental territory in Memphis, Tennessee, where he began training.
1999-2000
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.<ref name="1999 WWF event results"> 1999 WWF event results
. Angel Fire.com - Cawthon 777
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref>. This angle involved Singh paying him money to blow his nose on the American flag. Angle refused to do so and fought Singh off instead. His first official 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.<ref name="1999 WWF event results"/>
After several weeks of vignettes, Angle made his in-ring debut on November 14 1999 at the Survivor Series, defeating Shawn Stasiak.<ref>PWI Staff. Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 104-105)</ref> In his initial push, he remained undefeated for several weeks, eventually losing to the debuting Tazz at the Royal Rumble.<ref name=pwi105>PWI Staff. Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 105)</ref> Angle was booked to win both the WWF European Championship and WWF Intercontinental Championship in February 2000,<ref name=pwi105/> 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.<ref name=pwi105/>
Throughout mid-2000, Angle and Edge and Christian ("Team ECK") feuded with Too Cool and Rikishi, with Angle defeating Rikishi in the finals of the King of the Ring tournament, which he was booked to win.<ref name=pwi106>PWI Staff. Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 106)</ref> He went on to kayfabe feud with Triple H after a love triangle between Angle, Triple H, and Triple H's wife Stephanie developed. However, he lost to Triple H at Unforgiven 2000.<ref name=pwi106/> Following his feud with Triple H, Angle received another push and began pursuing the WWF Championship, defeating The Rock at No Mercy.<ref name=pwi106/> Angle retained the WWF Championship for the rest of the year in matches with The Undertaker at Survivor Series and in a six way Hell in a Cell match at Armageddon.<ref name=pwi107>PWI Staff. Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 107)</ref>
2001-2002
Angle held the WWF Championship for almost four months, losing it to The Rock at No Way Out in February 2001. He then feuded with Chris Benoit, whom he defeated at WrestleMania X-Seven but lost to 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.
When WCW and ECW formed The Alliance and invaded the WWF in mid-2001, Kurt began an angle where he joined forces with WWF Champion Steve Austin to repel them. At Invasion, Angle and Austin captained a team of five WWF superstars against five handpicked members of the Alliance. Team WWF lost to Team Alliance when Austin kayfabe 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.<ref>PWI Staff. Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 10Image:Cool.gif</ref> After winning and losing the WCW World Heavyweight Championship,<ref> SmackDown - July 26, 2001 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref><ref> RAW - July 30, 2001 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> WCW United States Heavyweight Championship,<ref> RAW - October 22, 2001 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref><ref> RAW - November 12, 2001 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> and WWF Hardcore Championship in matches with Alliance members,<ref> RAW - September 10, 2001 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> Angle was booked to defeat Austin for his second WWF Championship at Unforgiven.<ref name=pwi109>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 109)</ref> He dropped the title back to Austin on the October 8 2001 episode of RAW when WWF Commissioner William Regal kayfabe joined the Alliance after costing Angle the match.<ref> RAW - October 8, 2001 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> As part of the storyline, Angle subsequently joined the Alliance himself,<ref> RAW - October 29, 2001 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> but ultimately returned to the WWF by enabling The Rock to defeat Austin in a "winner takes all" bout between the WWF and The Alliance at Survivor Series.<ref name=pwi109/>
After dropping the US Championship to Edge, the duo were booked into a lengthy feud. During this feud, Edge started the "you suck" chants every time Kurt Angle entered a WWE ring, usually in tune with Angle's entrance music. This proved significant because the chants followed Angle throughout the rest of his WWE career. In the course of the feud, Angle lost a "hair versus hair" match to Edge at Judgment Day, and his head was shaved bald.<ref> Michael McAvennie
. " WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition " , Pocket Books , 2003 , pp. 127 . </ref> Following the legit loss of his hair, Angle's storyline called for him to wear a wig and insult bald people,<ref> SmackDown - May 23, 2002 Results . Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> leading to a feud with Hulk Hogan, who stripped Angle of his wig.<ref> Michael McAvennie
. " WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition " , Pocket Books , 2003 , pp. 145 . </ref> Angle later scored a submission victory over Hogan at King of the Ring;<ref> Michael McAvennie . " WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition " , Pocket Books , 2003 , pp. 152-153 . </ref> this was Hogan's first submission loss in the WWF (which was renamed "World Wrestling Entertainment" in May 2002). Due to the fame he got from making Hogan tap out, as well as feeling like he was on a roll, Angle would proudly remove the wig that week on SmackDown! and issue an open challenge, which would be answered by a debuting John Cena, who would take Angle to the limit before Angle finally got a victory.
In October 2002, Angle became the fourth WWE Grand Slam Champion when he was booked to win the WWE Tag Team Championship with Chris Benoit.<ref> Michael McAvennie
. " WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition " , Pocket Books , 2003 , pp. 278-279 . </ref> After dropping the titles to Edge and Rey Mysterio on an edition of SmackDown!,<ref> Michael McAvennie . " WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition " , Pocket Books , 2003 , pp. 294 . </ref> Angle won his third WWE Championship at Armageddon 2002, defeating Big Show, with the help of Brock Lesnar.<ref> Michael McAvennie . " WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition " , Pocket Books , 2003 , pp. 329-330 . </ref> While still in his third reign, Angle began a new storyline when he gained the services of manager Paul Heyman and "Team Angle" (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin).<ref> SmackDown - December 26, 2002 Results . Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref>
2003-2004
He then began feuding with Brock Lesnar, who had won the most recent Royal Rumble match,<ref>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 112)</ref> after Lesnar claimed to be the new top superstar on SmackDown!. The match between Lesnar and Angle going into WrestleMania XIX marked the first time in WWE history that two accomplished amateur wrestlers met in a ring. Angle dropped the WWE Championship in the main event of WrestleMania XIX to Lesnar, who was receiving a major push at the time.<ref>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 112-113)</ref>
On April 11 2003, Angle underwent neck surgery performed by Dr. Hai-Dong Jho to repair nerve and spinal damage, calcium buildup, bone spurs, and intervertebral disc problems. Rather than have 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.<ref>"
Angle ready to rumble after neck injury " . Retrieved on 2007-07-14 . </ref><ref> WWE.Com statement concerning Kurt Angle's injury... . Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref>
Shortly after returning, Angle was booked to defeat Brock Lesnar and Big Show in a Triple Threat match at Vengeance 2003 to regain the WWE Championship.<ref>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 113)</ref> After retaining the title in a singles bout with Lesnar at SummerSlam 2003, he dropped the title to Lesnar in an Iron Man match on an episode of SmackDown!.<ref>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Dacts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 113-114)</ref><ref> SmackDown - September 18, 2003 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> Angle then formed a five-man team to rival Lesnar's team at the Survivor Series 2003, with Angle's team coming out victorious at the pay-per-view.<ref name=pwi114>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 114)</ref>
Following WrestleMania XX, Angle began to once again suffer from legit neck problems.<ref> Gray , Richard
. " Further details on Kurt Angle's injury; Condition very serious " , Lords of Pain . Retrieved on 2007-07-14 . </ref> As a response, he was made the on-screen General Manager of SmackDown!,<ref> SmackDown - March 25, 2004 Results . Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> with his absence from the ring attributed to injuries suffered after Big Show chokeslammed him off a ledge.<ref> SmackDown - April 15, 2004 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> Angle feuded with Eddie Guerrero throughout 2004 after kayfabe claiming that Guerrero was a disgrace to the WWE Championship and a drug addict. He cost Guerrero the 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.<ref>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Dacts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 115-116)</ref> Angle was later kayfabe fired by Vince McMahon as General Manager in July 2004.<ref> SmackDown - July 22, 2004 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref>
In November 2004, Angle initiated the Kurt Angle Invitational, a worked weekly segment where "hometown heroes" (known as 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.<ref> SmackDown-November 18, 2004 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> The Invitational was won by Eugene in July 2005 starting a new angle for both men.<ref> RAW - July 25, 2005 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> As a result, Angle faced Eugene at SummerSlam 2005, defeating him by making him tap out to the ankle lock. However, the crowd did not react well to this victory, as Angle had pretended to offer a microphone to the challenger, but then brutally slammed it into the young man's face, stunning him, and allowing Kurt to finish him off with practically no challenge.
2005-2006
Angle took part in the 2005 Royal Rumble, but was eliminated by Shawn Michaels, who he returned to the ring to eliminate in retaliation.<ref name=pwi117>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 117)</ref> Angle then became a storyline heel, and after mocking Michaels by defeating his former tag team partner, Marty Jannetty,<ref> SmackDown - March 17, 2005 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> and attacking former manager, Sherri Martel,<ref> SmackDown - March 24, 2005 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> Angle defeated Michaels in an interpromotional match, which won Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Match of the Year at WrestleMania 21.<ref name=pwi117/> He continued to kayfabe feud with Michaels upon being drafted from SmackDown! to RAW in June 2005,<ref> RAW - June 13, 2005 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> losing to Michaels at Vengeance.<ref name=pwi118>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 11Image:Cool.gif</ref>
In August 2005, Angle began feuding with WWE Champion John Cena.<ref> RAW - August 22, 2005 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> He was booked to defeat Cena by disqualification at Unforgiven and lose to Cena in a rematch at the Survivor Series.<ref name=pwi118/><ref name=pwi119>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 119)</ref>
Angle returned to the SmackDown! brand in January 2006, where he was pushed to gain the vacant World Heavyweight Championship in a twenty man battle royal.<ref>"
Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2006 " , Arena Reports , Kappa Publishing , p. 130 . </ref><ref name="Almanac"> Brady , Hicks . " 2006: The year in wrestling " , 2007 Wrestling Almanac and Book of Facts , Kappa Publications , p. 16 . 2007 Edition . Retrieved on 2007-07-11 . </ref> He retained the title in bouts with Mark Henry at the Royal Rumble and The Undertaker at No Way Out,<ref name=pwi119/> before dropping it to Rey Mysterio in a Triple Threat match, which also included Randy Orton, at WrestleMania 22.<ref>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 119-120)</ref>
On May 29 2006, Angle was drafted to the newly created Extreme Championship Wrestling brand, where he quickly turned face.<ref> RAW - May 29, 2006 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> Upon coming to ECW, he issued an open challenge for One Night Stand, which was accepted by Orton.<ref> RAW - June 5, 2006 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> Angle defeated Orton at One Night Stand,<ref name=pwi121>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 121)</ref> later losing to him in a rematch at Vengeance. Angle appeared sporadically on WWE television throughout mid-2006. On August 25 2006, he was granted an early release from his WWE contract due to "personal issues".<ref name="Clevett"> Clevett , Jason
. " WWE releases Kurt Angle " , SLAM Wrestling! . Retrieved on 2007-07-14 . </ref><ref> Angle talks about his release . WWE
.</ref>
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2006-Current)
A few weeks after his WWE tenure had ended, Angle signed a contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). On September 24 2006 during the closing segment of the No Surrender pay-per-view, 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.<ref>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 126-127)</ref>
Angle made his TNA debut on October 19, kayfabe 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.<ref name=tnaoct19> Impact - October 19, 2006 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> The two men ended up fighting while Jarrett took the title back.<ref name=tnaoct19/> 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.<ref name=pwi127>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling’s historical cards" (p. 127)</ref> Angle's first match in TNA took place on the November 16 airing of TNA iMPACT!, where he was booked to defeat Abyss with the Ankle lock and be attacked after the match by Samoa Joe.<ref> Impact - November 16, 2006 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> At Genesis, Angle defeated Samoa Joe, ending Joe's push as undefeated.<ref name=pwi127/>
At Final Resolution 2007, Angle was booked to defeat Samoa Joe in a 30 minute Iron Man match 3-2 to earn a shot at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at Against All Odds,<ref> Final Resolution 2007 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> which he lost to Christian Cage after interference from Tomko and Scott Steiner.<ref> Against All Odds 2007 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> This led into a feud between Angle and Steiner, with Angle pinning Steiner at Destination X.<ref> Destination X 2007 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> 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 Title. Team Angle was victorious after Jeff Jarrett hit Abyss with a gimmicked guitar full of thumbtacks and allowed Sting to score the pin.<ref> Lockdown 2007 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> At Sacrifice, Angle was booked to defeat Cage and Sting in a Triple Threat match to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.<ref> Sacrifice 2007 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) does not recognize this reign, however, because they had stripped Christian Cage of the NWA Title earlier in the day, prior to the Sacrifice event, after severing their business partnership with TNA, who still recognizes Angle as a former NWA champion.<ref> Title History:NWA Heavyweight Championship
. Gordon Solie
. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
“NWA Executive Director, Robert K. Trokich announced that the National Wrestling Alliance has ended its 5 year relationship with TNA Entertainment, LLC. Trobich also stripped Christain Cage and Team 3-D of the NWA branded Championships.”
</ref>
On the following episode of iMPACT!, after hearing complaints from Cage and Sting about the controversial finish to the match, Jim Cornette stripped Angle of the title.<ref> Impact - May 17, 2007 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> One month later at Slammiversary in a King of the Mountain match, Kurt Angle became the first crowned TNA World Heavyweight Champion by defeating Christian Cage, Samoa Joe, AJ Styles, and Chris Harris.<ref> Slammiversary 2007 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-07-14. </ref> He then attacked Joe after denying a request for a handshake, reigniting their feud.
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.<ref name=vr> Vicotry Road 2007 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-09-03. </ref> 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.<ref name=vr/> On the following episode of iMPACT!, Joe (now holding the X Division and Tag Team Championships, with Kurt holding the TNA and IWGP championships) challenged Kurt to a match at Hard Justice for all the championships.<ref> Impact 07-19-07 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-09-03. </ref> While illustrating how he would take away everything important in Kurt's life, Joe brought Kurt's wife Karen into the fray, as she demanded a divorce.<ref> Impact 08-02-07 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-09-03. </ref> During the match, however, Karen betrayed Joe and aided her husband.<ref name=hj> Hard Justice 2007 Results
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-09-03. </ref> As part of his newest push, Kurt 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.<ref name=hj/> However, Angle dropped both the X Division Title and the TNA World Tag Team Titles to Jay Lethal and Team Pacman, respectively, at No Surrender. At Bound for Glory, Angle lost the World Title to Sting. However, Kurt Angle won back the championship from Sting on the October 25th edition of iMPACT!. Angle had to team up with Kevin Nash to defeat Sting and the debuting Booker T so he could retain his championship at Genesis.
Japan (2007-Current)
On February 18 2007 Angle made his debut in New Japan Pro Wrestling, teaming with former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Yuji Nagata to defeat fellow TNA wrestler Travis Tomko and fellow WWE alumnus Giant Bernard.<ref> Kurt Angle's Profile
. Online World of Wrestling
. Retrieved on 2007-09-03. </ref>
Angle was booked to face Brock Lesnar in a champion versus champion match for the Inoki Genome Federation on June 29 2007, defeating him by submission for the disputed IWGP Third Belt Championship (which IGF and TNA recognize as the IWGP World Title, and NWA recognizes as the NWA Japan Championship)<ref name="NWA Japan"/> and challenged him to an MMA fight.<ref>"
Kurt Angle beats Brock Lesnar in Japan " , 411mania.com . Retrieved on 2007-07-14 . </ref> On December 19 2007 Angle defended the IWGP World Title successfully against Kenodo Kashin. <ref> IGF . IGF (2007-12-22)
. Retrieved on 2007-12-22. </ref>
Personal life
Kurt Angle attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania, graduating with a degree in education in 1993.<ref name="Washington Post"/> In his later life, Angle got a Clarion University Golden Eagle tattooed on his upper back.
Angle has four older brothers (one of whom, Eric, is also a wrestler) and a sister, Le'Anne, who died of a drug overdose.<ref> Simno 'LILSBOY' Rothstein
. Wrestling with tragedy . The Sun Online
. Retrieved on 2007-10-03. </ref> His father 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 claimed 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.<ref name="Business Wire"/><ref name=murder/><ref name=ka5>Modèle:Cite book</ref>
He married wife Karen Smedley<ref> Karen Angle biography
. Retrieved on 2007-10-12.
</ref> on December 19 1998,<ref>Modèle:Cite book</ref> and the couple have a daughter, Kyra, who was born on December 2 2002. They also have a son, Kody, who was born on October 26 2006. In August 2007, Karen debuted in TNA as Angle's regular valet. She has also been featured as a TNA Knockout on the promotion's website.
In regards to his future, Angle has expressed interest on several occasions in pursuing an acting career after retirement from professional wrestling.<ref name="King"/>
Kurt Angle was arrested at his home by Moon Township, Pennsylvania police on a charge of drunk driving on September 28, 2007 after being reported by a woman who claims that he almost hit her while leaving a local restaurant. Officials said Angle failed a field sobriety test but refused a blood test. Angle is charged with driving under the influence and careless driving,<ref> Kurt Angle Wrestles DUI, Careless Driving Charges
. WPXI.com
. Retrieved on 2007-10-03. </ref> but he denies the charges.<ref> Kurt caught with 'pills in mouth'
. The Sun (2007-10-06)
. Retrieved on 2007-10-06. </ref>
On December 12, 2007 TNA sent out a TNA Mobile Alert stating that Karen Angle had suffered a broken foot at that nights TNA iMPACT! tapings.<ref> Mike Johnson
(2007-12-12) . Top TNA Knockout Suffers Broken Foot . PWInsider
. Retrieved on 2007-12-18. </ref>
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.<ref> Llosa , Luis Fernando
; L. Jon Wertheim . " Inside the Steroid Sting " , SI.com , 2007-03-06 . Retrieved on 2007-03-06 . </ref> 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."<ref name="Angle Responds"> Angle , Kurt . " Angle responds " , Kurt Angle's Official Website , 2007-03-08 . Retrieved on 2007-03-08 . </ref>
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 current WWE wrestlers and Eddie Guerrero.<ref> Llosa , Luis Fernando
; L. Jon Wertheim . " Wrestlers allegedly tied to drug ring " , SI.com , 2007-03-19 . Retrieved on 2007-03-19 . </ref>
Kurt Angle 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.<ref>"
Did Kurt Angle Ever Fail A WWE Drug Test For Pain Killers? " , TNAWrestlingNews.com , 2007-07-29 . Retrieved on 2007-07-29 . </ref>
In wrestling
- Finishing and signature moves
- Standing ankle lock, occasionally grapevined for additional pressure and leverage
- Olympic slam / Angle Slam, sometimes done from the top rope
- Rolling German suplexes
- Moonsault - Used as a finisher for high-profile matches
- Crossface chickenwing - 2000; Adopted from Bob Backlund
- Overhead belly to belly suplex, sometimes from the top rope
- Rear naked choke
- Release German suplex / German suplex pin
- Belly to back suplex
- Body scissors
- European uppercut
- Double leg takedown
- Nicknames
- The Olympic Hero (WWE)
- The Wrestling Machine (WWE)
- The Olympic Gold Medalist (WWE / TNA)
- The Only Olympic Gold Medalist in WWE History (WWE) / Professional Wrestling (TNA)
- Theme songs
- "Medal" by Jim Johnston (WWF The Music, Vol. 5)
- "Medal (Remix)" (ECW)
- "My Quest" by Dale Oliver
- "Gold Medal" by Dale Oliver and Tha Trademarc (Meltdown: The Music of TNA Wrestling Vol. 2)
Championships and accomplishments
|
[modifier] Professional wrestling
. Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . Retrieved on 2007-09-13. </ref> - by himself (1), with Sting (1)
|
[modifier] Amateur wrestling
|
Notes
References
- "
2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts
" , Wrestling’s Historical Cards , Kappa Publishing
, 2007
.
- "
Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2006
" , Arena Reports , Kappa Publishing
.
External links
- Official website
- TNA profile
- Modèle:Imdb name
- Kurt Angle at the Wrestling Hall of Fame
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Catégories de la page: 1968 births | American professional wrestlers | American sport wrestlers | Living people | Olympic athletes who wrestled professionally | Olympic gold medalists for the United States | Olympic wrestlers of the United States | People from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania | Professional wrestling executives | Sportspeople from Pittsburgh | World Champion professional wrestlers | World Wrestling Entertainment alumni | Wrestlers at the 1996 Summer Olympics | The Attitude Era
