Kurt Angle Reflects on His Wrestling Career Beyond WWE

Kurt Angle is widely recognized for his achievements in WWE, where he secured six world titles and became the fifth Grand Slam champion in the company’s history. He entered WWE as an Olympic gold medalist, adding to his impressive credentials.

Fans who follow professional wrestling are aware of Angle’s significant impact in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). During his nearly ten-year tenure, he claimed six world championships, two tag team titles, and an X Division championship.

Angle shared with OutKick Dropkick his belief that his TNA career outshined his time in WWE. He expressed regret that many WWE fans did not witness his performances in TNA. Angle noted that, at the time, TNA lagged behind WWE in popularity in the United States. Despite this, TNA has garnered a strong fan base worldwide, though it remained secondary to WWE before AEW’s emergence.

Angle’s matches in TNA were memorable, particularly against Abyss, Samoa Joe, and A.J. Styles. For WWE fans unfamiliar with his TNA work, Angle recommended viewing his bouts with Joe and Styles.

Speaking with Gambling.com, Angle suggested any match with Samoa Joe or A.J. Styles was worth watching. He reminisced about his debut match against Joe at a pay-per-view event, possibly Bound for Glory, praising Joe’s physical style and Styles’ athleticism.

Angle acknowledged that Joe’s experience as a ground-and-pound grappler complemented his own freestyle wrestling background. Despite Styles’ dynamic ring presence, Angle found their styles meshed effectively.

During his TNA career, Angle won two King of the Mountain matches, unique events where competitors attempt to hang a title belt on a hook above a cage—a reverse ladder match.

When asked by OutKick Dropkick about the absence of such matches in WWE, Angle expressed surprise, citing WWE’s past creativity. He suggested WWE could adapt TNA’s concepts, possibly by changing names and modifying them to offer fresh experiences.

In 2013, Angle was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame, joining the ranks of Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Earl Hebner, Gail Kim, Abyss, Ken Shamrock, Awesome Kong, Raven, Traci Brooks, Rhino, Bob Ryder, and Mickie James.

The TNA Hall of Fame continues to grow as new members are inducted. At the upcoming Bound for Glory pay-per-view in October, ODB, Amazing Red, and Konnan will join the hall of fame.

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