Quick Read
So, is Kurt Angle Natural or is he lying and taking steroids?
Based on the evidence Kurt Angle could well have taken steroids.
His gains timeline is typical of a steroid-user.
He’s very defensive in the video where he talks about steroids, saying you’re not a bad person if you take steroids and that they’re not bad for you.
There are three things that come to mind when I hear Kurt Angle’s name: the broken neck, the chants of “You Suck!” and Atlanta. Three significant things from very distinct periods in his career at World Wrestling Entertainment. It was in October 1998 that the Olympic champion signed his first contract with the federation of Vince McMahon. Today, a little more than 20 years later, the latter is about to finish him off in a final fight against Baron Corbin on the biggest stage of all: WrestleMania 35! Sunday April 7, 2019 is a date that will be forever remembered and today I invite you to celebrate the career of WWE Hall Of Famer, Kurt Angle!
1999 – 2000 | Promising beginnings
Like the Undertaker, it was during the Survivors Series that Kurt Angle made his WWF television debut. On November 14, 1999, fans around the world discovered, or rather rediscovered, what would become one of the greatest athletes in the United States. That evening he faced and defeated Shawn Stasiak, starting an unbeaten streak that ended in his fight against Tazz at the Royal Rumble 2000.
The year 2000 also marks a promising debut in WWE for the 1996 Olympic medalist. He won his first individual title on February 10 during an episode of Smackdown! where he fights against Val Venis for the European title. Two weeks later during No Way Out, he snatched the intercontinental title from Canadian Chris Jericho.
His first fight on “The Grandest Stage Of Them All” takes place during WrestleMania 2000. That evening he puts his two titles back on the line in a Triple Threat Match against Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho. He will lose the fight and the two Canadians will win a title. There followed a small period of doubt, his first, and a small series of significant defeats until King Of The Ring where he beats Rikishi in the final of the tournament.
On October 22, 2000, nearly a year after his television debut, he won the Holy Grail for the first time in his career. That evening he was opposed to the WWF champion in the main event. He won the fight in just over 20 minutes and following a well-worn Angle Slam on the People’s Champ. His reign on the roof of the world will last 4 months and will end with a loss to the Rock in No Way Out 2001.
2001 – 2003 | Gold on call
Kurt Angle won several titles during 2001: the WCW World Championship, the WWF Hardcore Championship and finally the Federation World Title. These three reigns will only be of short duration: 1 day for the WCW title, a few days for the hardcore title and finally 15 days for the WWF world title. However, the conquest of his second world title remains one of his greatest victories on the rings of the federation of Stamford. It was during Unforgiven 2001, September 23, that Kurt Angle became WWF champion for the second time in his career. A victory all the more important since it takes place in Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), the birthplace of the American hero.
He owes the loss of his title to the commissioner of the time, William Regal. However, he will win a new title, the WCW United States Title on October 22. Once again his reign will be short as he will lose the title to Edge on November 12. After having made the heyday of the red show, he joined the ranks of Smackdown to the delight of fans. After a final knockout in the Royal Rumble and a victory over the devil’s favorite demon Kane at WrestleMania 18, he embarks on a relentless (and sometimes very funny) rivalry with the Rated R Superstar. It is also at this time that the traditional and legendary “You Suck!” appear during Angle’s entry!
Since ridicule doesn’t kill, the two face each other on Judgment Day 2002 in a fight where the loser has to shave their hair. It is unfortunately Kurt who will lose the fight and at the same time his hair! Following this fight will be born a cult moment: the wig! The following weeks Angle will fight against a good number of superstars including legend Hulk Hogan. It is indeed during the King Of The Ring that two different eras (the 80’s and the 2000s) confront each other through the match between the Hulkster and Kurt Angle. That evening will mark a turning point in the latter’s career as he becomes the first man to abandon the leader of the Hulkamania. At the end of September, Stéphanie McMahon organizes a tournament to crown the first WWE Tag Team Champions. It was during No Mercy and alongside Chris Benoit that he won a doubles championship for the first time. This fight marks the first face-turn of the Olympic superstar. Both men will lose the titles to Los Guerreros in the Survivor Series.
On December 15, 2002 during Armageddon, Kurt Angle’s gold rush ended with his third WWE Championship! This victory will allow him to make Team Angle known to Smackdown fans. This time his reign as champion will be established over time since he will keep the belt for almost 4 months. It was at WrestleMania XIX that he lost the title (against a certain Brock Lesnar) and suffered a new neck injury that he took away from the rings for several weeks.
He made his comeback during Vengeance 2003 where he beat Brock Lesnar and the Big Show to become world champion for the fourth time in his career! He would lose the title a few weeks later during the Smackdown episode of September 13. At the same time, he made a heel turn during Road To WrestleMania XX which led him to a clash against Eddie Guerrero for the world title.
2004 – 2017 | Starting, leaving, returning …
In 2004 and following the departure of Paul Heyman, Vince McMahon decided to appoint Kurt Angle as General Manager of Smackdown. While taking office, the latter will not hesitate to take a position for the heels of the federation. He will grant them straight passes which will push the chairman to dismiss Angle from his post. For his return to the rings he resumed his rivalry with Eddie Guerrero. The year 2004 will end in the worst possible way for him since he will string together defeats.
The start of 2005 marks the end of Kurt Angle in the ranks of Smackdown. After an elimination during the Royal Rumble Match, he sees his chance to become world champion fading for the fifth time in his career. A rivalry ensued with the Showstopper, which ended with the latter being abandoned in the ring at WrestleMania 21. He was drafted shortly after on Raw.
After an aborted attempt to win the heavyweight title from the hands of Batista, the latter decides to attack John Cena. He will be officially elected “challenger” for the WWE title by Eric Bischoff. But again, Angle will fail 4 times: Unforgiven, Taboo Tuesday, Survivor Series and New Years Revolution 2006. The year 2006 will mark both the rebirth and the departure of the Olympic champion. The latter, following Batista’s injury retirement, returns to Smackdown and wins the Battle Royal for the WWE Heavyweight Title. He defeated and retained his title against Mark Henry at the 2006 Royal Rumble and then against the Undertaker in No Way Out.
He made his seventh fight at WrestleMania during the 22nd edition. That evening he tries to keep his title against Randy Orton and Rey Mysterio in a triple threat match. In vain since the little luchador, winner of the Rumble Match, will win the fight and at the same time his first big title. After a short stint through the ECW division, Kurt Angle leaves the federation.
In 2017, WWE fans were amazed to learn that he would headline the Hall Of Fame! After being inducted by his biggest rival John Cena, Angle makes his comeback the following night in Raw’s post WrestleMania 33 episode. That evening Vince McMahon himself designates him as the new general manager of the red show. And this time, history will not repeat itself since the Hall Of Famer will decide to advocate talent and impartiality throughout its tenure. The rest of the story you know, Kurt Angle will make several big changes as a competitor: alongside the Shield during TLC 2017, alongside Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 34 and finally tonight for what will be his very last fight .
As you will have understood, a page is about to turn this evening live from Metlife Stadium in New York. We will witness the retirement of one of the greatest superstars the wrestling industry has ever known. So whatever may happen during this fight against Baron Corbin, let’s take advantage of this unique moment and sing together for the last time “You Suck!”. Thanks for everything Kurt Angle and a well-deserved retirement!