Real Name:
Kurt Angle
Nickname: Your Olympic Champion
Birthdate: Unknown
Height: 6' 2"
Weight: 220 lbs
Signature Moves: Angle Slam, Ankle Lock
Biography
Kurt Angle had
an illustrious amateur career before he joined the WWE. In his early 30s, Angle
had over 20 years of experience in amateur wrestling, and had won over 200
bouts. His greatest amateur achievement was in the summer of 1996, when he
claimed a gold medal at the Olympics in Atlanta.
After signing
with the WWE, Kurt Angle trained intensely at the WWE Dojo and in Memphis
Championship Wrestling. Kurt made his TV debut in 1998 on an edition of Sunday
Night Heat, when he attacked the anti-American Tiger Ali-Singh.
Kurt made his
in ring debut for the WWE at Survivor Series 1999, where he faced off against
Shawn Stasiak. Angle was booed by the fans because of his "Olympic Hero"
gimmick. Half way through his match with Stasiak, Angle got on the mic and asked
why he was being booed. This, of course, was the plan, and a big heel push was
in store for Angle.
After his
debut, Kurt went on a winning streak. He was unbeaten from his debut, until
Royal Rumble 2000. At the Royal Rumble, he was defeated by Tazz, who was making
his WWF debut.
Soon after his
loss at Royal Rumble 2000, Angle won the WWF European and Intercontinental
Titles. However, he lost both the belts at WrestleMania in April 2000 in a
triple threat match. Angle was not pinned in the match.
Soon after
WrestleMania, Angle started teaming with Edge and Christian. They called
themselves "Team ECK." Although this didn't really open any new doors for Angle,
it gave him the opportunity to showcase his comical side.
The next big
step in Angle's professional wrestling career came at the 2000 King of the Ring.
Kurt Angle defeated Rikishi in the finals to become King of the Ring for the
year 2000.
The next night
on RAW, Angle found himself in a triple threat match with Triple H and the Rock
for the #1 contendership for the WWE Title. The Rock won the match with the help
of Chris Jericho.
During the
summer of 2000, Kurt Angle embarked on an intriguing feud with top WWE star
Triple H. The feud surrounded Kurt's flirting with Triple H's wife, Stephanie
McMahon.
On the August
7th RAW, Angle, Triple H and Chris Jericho take part in a match to decide who
would be #1 contender for the WWF Title. Angle and Triple H both pinned Jericho,
and throughout August, the mystery of who was the #1 contender continued.
Eventually, a triple threat title match was assigned for SummerSlam, pitted The
Rock against Triple H against Kurt Angle. The Rock successfully defended his WWF
Title at SummerSlam. However, the feud started heating up just before SummerSlam
when Kurt Angle kissed Stephanie.
After months of
build-up, Angle finally faced Triple H one-on-one at Unforgiven 2000. In a no-DQ
match, Triple H defeated Angle, after Triple H told his wife to choose between
him and Angle. Stephanie kicked Angle in the nuts, which allowed Triple H to hit
his second pedigree and win the match.
Kurt Angle's
biggest achievement in the WWE came in October 2000. At WWF No Mercy, Kurt Angle
defeated The Rock to become WWE Champion. Angle was soon defending the title
against the Undertaker, and won when his brother, Eric Angle, took his place in
the match. Undertaker powerbombed Eric, and went for the cover, thinking it was
Kurt. Kurt then entered the ring and attacked Undertaker from behind to pick up
the victory.
At Armageddon
in December, Kurt Angle was to face his toughest challenge yet. He would defend
his WWE Title in a 6-man Hell in the Cell match. Angle was up against The Rock,
Undertaker, Rikishi, Austin and Triple H. Surprising, Angle overcame the odds
and retained his WWE Title.
Angle's WWE
Title reign came to an end in February 2001, when he was beaten by The Rock.
From there, Angle went on to feud with Chris Benoit. The series of matches
between the two were outstanding, and the brought a sense of "old school" back
to the WWE. Their feud was ended at Judgment Day in a 2 out of 3 falls match,
with the last fall being a ladder match. Their feud outstretched all
expectations, and it was a great hit.
Soon after his
victory over new WCW owner Shane McMahon at King of the Ring, Angle joined
forces with Steve Austin and Vince McMahon. Their backstage segments were comedy
at it's best, and Angle was starting to be recognised as a face. This face turn
was put in place at WWF Invasion, when Austin turned on the WWF, and joined the
WCW/ECW alliance. Kurt Angle, along with the Rock, is now the WWF's leader
against the WCW/ECW Invasion.
Kurt Angle is a
true WWE superstar, and he has what it takes to be a long term WWE Champion.
Angle became
two-time WWE Champion late in September 2001, but soon lost the title back to
Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Kurt rolled
into WrestleMania X-8 with the prospect of a match against the Big Red Machine,
Kane. Angle was up to the task, as he defeated Kane.
Kurt has been
in several feuds since WrestleMania X-8, none of which elevated his current
status. Many still believe that Angle should be a main-eventer.
Angles
technical ability due to his Olympic past, he is able to perform moves only seen
my such legends as Bret Hart and Chris Benoit.
Before “The Next Big Thing” Brock Lesnar, Kurt Angle was said to have the best 1st
year in wrestling than anyone else by winning the European, Intercontinental and
World Championship to name a few.
