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Tag: Kurt Angle

  • Spoilers – Impact Wrestling Tapings Results (Airing 3/1/2016)

    Spoilers – Impact Wrestling Tapings Results (Airing 3/1/2016)

    TNA taped Impact Wrestling on Saturday, January 30th in London at The SSE Arena Wembley. The taping was for the March 1st, 2016 episode of Impact Wrestling. Here’s what happened at the taping:

    – The Wolves © defeated Mandrews and Will Ospreay.

    Post-match, the medical team, came rushing out for Mandrews. The Wolves checked on him as well and helped Mandrews to the back.

    – Monster’s Ball: Abyss (Crazzy Steve, Goth Girl) beat Jimmy Havoc. The finish happened when Abyss hit a Black Hole Slam on Havoc through the barbed wire board.

    – Mike Bennett (w/Maria) defeated Drew Galloway with a roll up.

    – Eric Young issued an open challenge for his King of the Mountain Title.

    – King of the Mountain: Eric Young © defeated Damo O’Connor. Young won via piledriver…

    – Kurt Angle beat Bobby Roode with the ankle lock.

    Post-match, Roode cut a promo about Angle and how good he is. James Storm came out and said that Angle is a TNA legend. Beer Money opened beers and Kurt said no, so they pulled some milk out. Angle drank it and they celebrated. The Wolves came out to celebrate as well to end the taping.

    Related: Spoilers for the February 2nd, 2016 Impact Wrestling

  • 5 Incredible Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Kurt Angle

    5 Incredible Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Kurt Angle

    If winning an Olympic gold medal with a broken freakin’ neck didn’t impress you, these 5 facts about Kurt Angle just might. Here are some of the most interesting, little-known facts about the former WWE and TNA champion in no particular order.

    1. Kurt Angle’s sister died unexpectedly the night before his Iron Man match with Brock Lesnar (2003)


    What fans do know is that Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle had one of the best matches in SmackDown history on September 18, 2003, when they went 60 minutes in an iron man match. What fans probably don’t know, is that Kurt Angle’s sister passed away of a heroin overdose the night before the match. Angle knew his match with Lesnar would be big, and waited until after the SmackDown taping to take time off.

  • Kurt Angle Tells Untold HHH & McMahon Stories, Says He Entered His Prime In TNA

    Kurt Angle Tells Untold HHH & McMahon Stories, Says He Entered His Prime In TNA

    In an interview with SI.com, Kurt Angle mentions Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and Triple H as three wrestlers who can “adapt to any situation” in the ring. Kurt shares a story about Triple H specifically, who lead him through their match at SummerSlam 2000 after Angle suffered a concussion and forgot what he was supposed to do.

    “Paul [Levesque] led me through that match. As far as being a wrestler, Triple H is up there in the top ten. When I got my concussion at SummerSlam, Triple H did so much for me in that match,” Angle explained. “When I went through that table, I was out. Stephanie [McMahon] brought me back out, and when we got back to the ring, I asked her, ‘What do I do?’ She said, ‘When Rock’s foot hits the rope, grab him.’ So I grabbed him by the foot, and then looked at Stephanie again. And she said, ‘Throw Triple H into the steps!’ So I threw him into the steps, and then she said, ‘Get the hell in the ring!’

    “There was a spot where Triple H was going to hit me with his sledgehammer, but I had the concussion and didn’t even know I was out there. My mind was blank. I came to two hours after the pay-per-view. When Triple H was going to hit me, but he actually put his hand on my head and made sure I ducked. If you watch it over, you’ll see that I was clueless, but he was looking out for me the whole match. They literally had to walk me through every step of the match to make sure I was safe. I don’t remember any of it, but for them it must have been a nightmare. Triple H is one of the best I’ve ever seen.”

    In the early 2000’s, Kurt Angle and Steve Austin were one of Vince McMahon’s favorite pairings on TV. Kurt explained how Vince would direct him and Austin while filming backstage segments.

    “Austin is a real funny guy. None of the stuff we did was scripted,” Angle revealed. “Vince told us, ‘Listen, this is the issue you’re having, say what you have to say, and no one in this room laugh until I say cut.’ It just worked, and it was a blessing in disguise because Austin and I both got hurt at King of the Ring in 2001, so we were on the shelf. Their two biggest stars, at the time, weren’t wrestling, but they wanted to keep us on TV, so they teamed us up together. […] I’m not funny off-camera, so I didn’t know I could be funny. I didn’t even know if I could cut a promo.”

    After joining the McMahon empire in 1998, Angle left WWE in 2006 and joined TNA. The Olympic gold medalist feels that he entered the prime of his pro wrestling career while in TNA, and says at 47-years-old, “I can still do it.”

    “I had an incredible WWE career, but a lot of WWE fans didn’t see me wrestle in TNA, unfortunately, so they didn’t see what I was able to accomplish there,” Angle explained. “That is when the wheels started spinning in my head, and that’s because I started so late. I started with WWE in ‘99, and within a year-and-a-half, I won the world title. I really didn’t know what the hell I was doing. I was just following guys, like the Undertaker, Triple H, Rock and Austin. They would lead me through matches, and then I started getting the hang of it. That’s when I started having those matches with [Chris] Benoit and Eddie [Guerrero] and Brock Lesnar. I just kept getting better.

    “I was very fortunate to wrestle a lot of great guys in TNA, and I’ve had a much better career because I got my head together, and started understanding [ring] psychology and how to put a match together and how to make it more exciting. My philosophy on a match is to base everything around your finish. For me, that’s the Angle Lock and Angle Slam–how do you counter it and get back into it–and I’ve always based my matches on that. A lot of guys have a lot of false finishes, but the fans don’t really get behind a match until you get your finish, so I was able to integrate my finish more. I just learned more, and I kept getting better. I’m 47, and I can still do it.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8huHwyWsNaQ

    Kurt Angle will be a free agent after his current TNA contract expires at the end of January. He has indicated that he wants to take a year off from active competition. TNA has offered him a non-wrestling contract, and he will be working as a color commentator for Bellator MMA’s live Spike TV show on February 19.

    Related: TNA Offer Of Non-Wrestling Contract For Kurt Angle Is A Long Time Coming

  • Kurt Angle Says He Won’t Negotiate With WWE: “I Know My Ability Is Just As Good As Ever”

    Kurt Angle Says He Won’t Negotiate With WWE: “I Know My Ability Is Just As Good As Ever”

    Angle recently sat down with SportsIllustrated.com to discuss his farewell matches in TNA and his future. Angle’s TNA contract expires this month, and the company is trying to keep him signed in a non-wrestling capacity.

    “TNA has been really great to me, and they just offered me another contract to come back and be the face of the company and do something to teach the guys,” said Angle. “I’m taking that under consideration because they’ve always been loyal to me.”

    Although he’ll be a free agent, Angle feels that now isn’t the time for him to enter contract negotiations with WWE. While he doesn’t wrestle as often, the Olympic gold medalist says when he does, “it’s a pretty damn good match.” It sounds like Angle has every intention of stepping back in the ring after his year off from competition and WWE may not be interested in that.

    “As far as WWE, I’m not going to talk to them,” said Angle. “But I know my ability is just as good as it ever was. If WWE thinks I’m too old, or my body isn’t durable or that I have a problem with medication–which I obviously don’t, I’ve been clean and sober for two years and nine months–but the issue has nothing to do with my talent. […] I don’t wrestle that often, but every time I do, it’s pretty damn good match. I have a pretty good reputation of having good matches. I’m humble about it, but I know how good I am, and I know I still have it now. I’m going to wrestle Bobby Roode and Bobby Lashley in the UK, but I need a break. It’s been a rough fifteen years, and that’s why I’m going to take a year off.

    Angle acknowledges his personal problems got in the way of his relationship with WWE in the past, but doesn’t count out returning to his old stomping grounds one day in the future.

    “There is a reason they passed on me last time,” Angle explained, “you’ve got to remember WWE is a publicly traded company, and they have people to answer to, and you have a person who was pretty reckless from 2008 to 2013. I got hit with four DUIs. That’s pretty irresponsible. You have to look at a company that is publicly traded, like WWE, and the reputation they have to uphold, so you really have to be careful who you hire. And TNA is the reason why I’m clean and sober, so I have to give them credit, too. They allowed me time off to go to rehab and get my life together. So it’s one of those things where I’m not going to expect anything. Is it possible I go back to WWE somewhere along the lines? Of course. I think I’ll end up in the Hall of Fame, but I just don’t know if WWE will ever want me to wrestle again. It’s up to them, and it’s up to me. I don’t know what I’m going to do. But if I do decide to do it, it would be nice. A lot of people would like to see it, so we’ll see what happens.”

    Report: TNA Offer Of Non-Wrestling Contract For Kurt Angle Is A Long Time Coming

  • TNA Offer Of Non-Wrestling Contract For Kurt Angle Is A Long Time Coming

    With Kurt Angle’s TNA contract expiring soon and him pushing his bouts on the upcoming United Kingdom tour as his retirement matches, you would think that this is the end of him in TNA. As noted earlier, that’s not the case: TNA has offered a new, non-wrestler contract that would keep him around as their in-house legend, a promotional ambassador, and road agent. He hasn’t signed as of yet, and has said that he wants to take a break from the pro wrestling scene after the UK tour. Still, if the story about the offer and the nature thereof is true, it’s a nice gesture and well-earned.

    Angle is well known for his parade of neck injuries and ailments over the years, including a benign spinal tumor that he had removed last year, keeping him out of action for several months. It all goes back to to the Olympic trials in 1996, where he stuck his head out to avoid back exposure and broke his neck. He found a doctor willing inject some kind of numbing agent (like lidocaine or novocaine) into his neck and won the trials en route to capturing the gold medal at heavyweight in freestyle wrestling.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ-osvJEbOk

    After Angle had that injury repaired, he didn’t have any major neck problems until 2003, when his arms started to atrophy from nerve damage. A plan was put into place where he’d be removed from his WrestleMania main event title defense against Brock Lesnar and Chris Benoit would be inserted into the mix in an “emergency” storyline, but Angle had second thoughts and pledged to work through the pay-per-view. As shown in WWE’s “The Mania of WrestleMania” documentary, he went into shock right after the match and had to be hospitalized. Originally scheduled to have spinal fusion surgery, he opted to have a minimally invasive “cleanup” procedure done instead…which was promptly undone by one chair shot to the head. He’s since had a number of similar surgeries done by the same doctor.

    Angle was simultaneously dealing with an addiction to painkillers and alcohol throughout much of the same period. While he didn’t admit it at the time, refusing treatment was what reportedly cost him his job with WWE in 2006. He was noticeably slurring his words during his first TNA interview, but didn’t go to rehab until 2013. At that point, he had already been arrested on multiple charges of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, one of which saw the arresting officer claim that Angle had pills in his mouth while he spoke. It seems like going to rehab for the first time after so many years of problems stuck with him, and he’s been in noticeably much better spirits since, with a new sense of clarity that he’s talked about.

  • Report: TNA Offers Kurt Angle A New Contract

    Kurt Angle’s TNA contract expires this month, it the company has officially offered him a new deal. According to PWInsider.com, TNA wants to sign Angle to a deal where he wouldn’t be competing in the ring, but would remain an ambassador and work with younger talent at events as an agent.

    Angle has not signed the contract as of press time, and previously mentioned he plans to take a year off from the wrestling business. Angle’s final matches on his TNA contract will happen on their UK tour next week.

    The Olympic gold medalist indicated back in December that he would be open to a WWE return. Regarding the WWE Hall of Fame, Angle said that while it would be an honor to be inducted, his true legacy is in Olympic wrestling:

    “The way TNA has treated me the last 9 years, I can’t throw them away. […] Would it be an honour to be in the WWE Hall of Fame? Yeah, it’s an incredible honour. Would it kill me if I wasn’t? No, it wouldn’t,” Angle told DigitalSpy in December. “The most important thing to me is being in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, which is Olympic wrestling. That’s where my legacy truly is.”

    Angle’s first post-TNA appearance will be for Bellator MMA’s live Spike TV show on February 19. Angle will be a color commentator for the Royce Gracie vs. Ken Shamrock main event, and Kurt Angle has stated he may take a fight with Shamrock later this year.

    Would you rather see Angle stick with TNA or return to WWE? Or do you want to see him in MMA? Sound off in the comments below.

  • Kurt Angle: “CM Punk Is A Great Pro Wrestler, But Fighting’s A Different Story”

    Kurt Angle: “CM Punk Is A Great Pro Wrestler, But Fighting’s A Different Story”

    Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle recently spoke on CM Punk’s upcoming UFC debut. Angle at one point was going to switch from pro wrestling to MMA, but UFC president Dana White said Angle didn’t pass the physical exam. Kurt was asked by DigitalSpy.co.ukabout CM Punk making that same switch:

    “I wouldn’t say he is a young 37, I think that he’s a beat-up 37, but he has been able to take the year off – that’s going to help,” Angle said. “I just don’t know how good he is. I know he’s training, but I don’t know how good he is as a fighter. He’s a great pro-wrestler, but fighting is a different story.”

    Angle concluded that either way, Punk will draw attention to the UFC with his debut fight: “He will draw, he will draw, and we’ll see how he does.”

    CM Punk is expected to fight Mickey Gall (1-0) at UFC 199 in June. Kurt Angle will be appearing as as a commentator for Bellator MMA’s live Spike TV show on February 19. The main event is Royce Gracie vs. Ken Shamrock, and Kurt Angle has stated he may take a fight with Shamrock later this year.

    Related: Update On UFC Deciding On Their Plans For CM Punk’s Octagon Debut This Year

  • Kurt Angle To Wrestle Final TNA Matches Against Bobby Roode & Drew Galloway On UK Tour

    Kurt Angle To Wrestle Final TNA Matches Against Bobby Roode & Drew Galloway On UK Tour

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvDREFBcDJ8

    Kurt Angle and Dixie Carter both confirmed on their social media pages that Angle will be facing Bobby Roode and Drew Galloway later this month, in what’s being billed as his TNA “farewell tour.” Angle made his intentions clear last year that he would be retiring from TNA after his contract expires this month.

    The Olympic gold medalist will be facing Galloway on 1/29 at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. Then he’ll take on Bobby Roode on 1/30 at SSE Wembley in London. This tour of the UK will end Angle’s contract with TNA.

    Angle first announced his retirement from TNA back in November with this video. His first post-TNA gig will be as a commentator for Bellator MMA’s live Spike TV show on February 19. The main event is Royce Gracie vs. Ken Shamrock, and Kurt Angle has stated he may take a fight with Shamrock later this year. In November, the former WWE & TNA champion signed a deal with a publisher for a new autobiography.

    Related: Kurt Angle Talks About Returning To WWE, Confident About HOF Induction

  • Kurt Angle Speaks On Undertaker Possibly Retiring, Preferring To Be A Heel

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4VH7tPOEnI

    As his TNA career comes to an end, Kurt Angle says he preferred to work as a heel over being a babyface during his time in the company. In an interview with Digital Spy to promote TNA’s European tour, he explained why.

    “I was very comfortable being a heel and I knew my role. There are a lot of guys out there who want to be cool, they want to be liked as a heel, and that’s not the way it is,” Angle said.

    “You have to play that role and you have to want people to hate you. It’s hard these days because everyone wants to be accepted. Everybody wants to say, ‘You know what, he’s a heel but he’s a cool heel and I like him’. That’s not how it is. You’ve gotta be hated.”

    With his own TNA retirement on his horizon, the Olympic gold medalist was also asked about the possible retirement of another wrestler: The Undertaker. Here’s what he had to say:

    “It’s sad, because what he’s brought to the table since the early ’90s, gosh, he’s done so much for the business, I don’t want to see him go,” Angle said. “I’d love to see him go another five WrestleManias. Whether he can do it or not, that’s really up to him.

    “The crazy thing is, I don’t think he should have been beaten at WrestleMania. His legend is all about the Streak and it would have been nice to see him go out undefeated. But, if you’re going to going to get beat, it might as well be against Brock Lesnar, who’s the most legit athlete who’s ever gone in the business besides myself.”

    Related: Kurt Angle Talks About Returning To WWE, Confident About HOF Induction

    Do you agree with Angle? Sound off with your opinions in the comments below.

  • Original Plans For TNA’s New World Champion, Angle & Beer Money In Action This Week

    – Ethan Carter III is the new TNA World Champion after defeating Matt Hardy in the finals of TNA’s World Title Series tournament. The original plan was for Bobby Lashley to defeat Matt Hardy in the finals, according to PWINsider.com.

    – TNA will be taping more television tonight from Bethlehem, PA at the Sands Casino Arena. Kurt Angle vs. Drew Galloway will headline next week’s show.

    – The following matches are scheduled for Friday night’s TNA One Night Only PPV taping from Bethlehem:

    • Beer Money vs. Eric Young & Bram.
    • Kurt Angle & Drew Galloway vs. The Wolves vs. Eli Drake & Jesse Godderz.

    (H/T: PWInsider.com)

  • Tyrus Talks “Black Lives Matter” Movement (Video), Kurt Angle/Duck Dynasty & More

    Tyrus Talks “Black Lives Matter” Movement (Video), Kurt Angle/Duck Dynasty & More

    – As seen above, Tyrus recently appeared on “The Greg Gutfeld Show” on FOX News and referred to the “Black Lives Matter” movement as the 2015 story of the year, arguing that the real issue is more about “compliance and resistance” than the race of the person involved.

    – As noted, Kurt Angle will be appearing on “Duck Dynasty” this season. The former Olympic gold medalist is actually scheduled to appear on the season premiere of the show, which airs next Wednesday, January 13th on A&E.

    – Ahead of their live two-hour Impact Wrestling premiere on POP TV on Tuesday night, TNA has updated the look and feel of their official website. You can check out the new-and-improved official TNA website at ImpactWrestling.com.

  • Jim Ross Blog: Kurt Angle/WWE Hall Of Fame, Royal Rumble Betting Odds, The Rock

    WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross updated his official blog at JRsBarBQ.com with his thoughts on a number of topics. Below are some of the highlights.

    On Kurt Angle in the WWE Hall Of Fame:

    I’d think that Kurt Angle going into the WWE Hall of Fame is a lead pipe cinch but when its the only question that I have. I’d love to see Kurt in a WWE retirement match and then be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame if and when WWE has the time and desire to make this matter a priority. I’d assume WWE inducts Kurt into the Hall likely before he wrestles for them in a high profile match at Wrestlemania. Simply speculating that WWE is leery of Kurt’s lingering neck issues but that’s merely my speculation.

    “I have no speculation that Kurt Angle isn’t a deserving WWE Hall of Famer in the future. How can that be debatable?”

    On talking to The Rock through email recently:

    “Exchanged emails with The Rock while in Miami as he’s busy with a new baby girl and HBO’s ‘Ballers.’ I know of no one who seeming stays as busy as the Rock in the world of show biz. He’s a one man conglomerate who will be appearing at Wrestlemania Texas in April but I’m doubtful that he will be in a match but I hope that I’m wrong.”

    On the early WWE Royal Rumble betting odds:

    “There is an early betting line on the ’16 Royal Rumble. I’m being serious. Where were all these betting lines on WWE events when I was in administration there? Probably a good thing it wasn’t around at least that I’m aware or I might have been guilty of ‘insider betting.’ BTW the favorites to win are entrant #1, go figure, and entrant #30. I’d lean toward Brock Lesnar as my favorite to win it all if he’s in it.”

  • Kurt Angle Talks About Returning To WWE, Confident About HOF Induction

    Kurt Angle continues to do the media rounds to promote TNA’s Maximum Impact UK tour next month. During an interview with Digital Spy, the Olympic gold medalist commented on the possibility of returning to WWE one day.

    “We’ll see. Would it be a possibility? Yeah. I’m not ruling out anything. I know that next year I will take off and then we’ll see where it goes. I have spoken to TNA about possibly coming back someday. That’s still on the table. The way TNA has treated me the last 9 years, I can’t throw them away.”

    Angle noted that he doesn’t need WWE or TNA to continue wrestling. He said that he has a match scheduled against Rey Mysterio in March. He didn’t elaborate which company they’d be wrestling for, but said, “It’ll be kind of nice just to promote myself and wrestle guys like Rey.”

    He also spoke about a potential WWE Hall of Fame induction. Angle confidently stated that it will happen, he just doesn’t know when.

    “I’ll believe the hype when I decide to talk to WWE. I haven’t. We were going to have some type of meeting last year. Unfortunately, it got cancelled. We really haven’t spoken. I don’t expect them to speak to me until my contract’s up and I haven’t really gone after them to talk to them.”

    “Somewhere along the line it’ll happen, I just don’t know when. Would it be an honour to be in the WWE Hall of Fame? Yeah, it’s an incredible honour. Would it kill me if I wasn’t? No, it wouldn’t. The most important thing to me is being in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, which is Olympic wrestling. That’s where my legacy truly is.”

    Comment on this article and tell us if you want to see Kurt Angle wrestle at least one more time in WWE before he retires for good.

  • Video: Kurt Angle Says AJ Styles Is As Good As HBK, Talks About Decision To Leave WWE

    https://youtu.be/WVle4-VPy8g

    WrestleTalk TV recently released another clip from their sit-down interview with Kurt Angle, where Angle spoke about his decision to leave WWE and being excited about some of the talent he was going to get to work with in TNA. Below are some highlights.

    On the WWE full-time schedule being what ultimately led to him leaving to join TNA:

    “At that point, TNA was making some noise. It felt good to be a part of a smaller company that was getting more popular, more viewers. I felt very good about it. I didn’t have a choice. Vince McMahon wanted me to continue to go full time, and I couldn’t do the full time anymore. I look at John Cena now, and I don’t know how he’s done it for 11 years. I did it for six and a half.”

    On being excited to work with fresh faces in TNA:

    “I was on the road all the time. To go to a company where I’d be able to set my own schedule, that was great. To be able to generate interest from fans by wrestling Samoa Joe and AJ Styles and Sting, it felt good.”

    Angle went on to say that AJ Styles was as good as Shawn Michaels as far as he is concerned, and he jumped at the opportunity to work with someone like him. You can watch a clip from Angle’s WrestleTalk TV interview above.

  • Video: Kurt Angle On Impact Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff Had On TNA

    https://youtu.be/Ek_BHOl96G4

    Kurt Angle recently spoke with the folks at WrestleTalk TV about the impact Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff had on TNA — both negative and positive — when they had their run in the promotion. Below are some of the highlights from the interview, which you can watch above.

    On Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff costing TNA money:

    “I love Hogan, I love Bischoff. Never had problems with either of them. Terry, we’ve always been close. I believe they did good for the company, TNA. I believe it was very expensive. They probably came up with the idea of TNA traveling town to town every week. It’s a great idea, but where are you going to get the money?”

    On TNA going on the road nearly causing the company to go out of business:

    “I think it really put the company in a position where it almost went under again. I know it went under at the very beginning, but it looked like it was about to go under again. TNA is a great company, but it’s not a WWE. We don’t have the extra funds to take chances, to waste a few million today and tomorrow will be fine. Every penny counts.”

    On Hogan and Bischoff ultimately being good for TNA despite making decisions that cost the company a lot of money:

    “Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan were very good for our company. Did they spend a lot of money? Yes. I’m sure it cost a lot of money to get them in there, and I’m sure they had ideas that cost us a lot of money. It was a good thing and somewhat of a bad thing, but I love the guys.”

  • Kurt Angle Says He’s Taking A Year Off To Focus On Acting, Not Retiring From Wrestling

    Kurt Angle recently spoke with Scott Fishman of Channel Guide Magazine to promote TNA’s upcoming European tour. During the interview, Angle shed some more light about his upcoming departure from TNA. After initially calling it a retirement, Angle now says he’ll be taking a year off from pro wrestling and ‘he’d be lying’ if he said he was retiring from the the ring.

    “I wanted to get away from it a little bit,” Angle said. “I put a lot of time into my pro wrestling career — not just on the road. I was also studying tape and things like that. It was a lot of fun being a part of those great matches. I will take a break. I won’t be talking to TNA or WWE. I’m taking an acting class and signed with an agency. They’ve been getting me movie reads. I’m in a new part of my career, but at the same time I’m not at a point to say I will never wrestle again. I’d be lying if I’d say that.”

    When asked about TNA President Dixie Carter, Angle praised her and said that the door is always open for a potential return to TNA.

    “The door will always be open,” he said. “They proved to me what was more important. For them it was the well-being of their wrestlers — above the tickets they were selling or the ratings they were getting. What happened and occurred, Dixie put people first. She didn’t say, ‘TNA is going to go into turmoil because of this …’ She showed that personable side to her that makes you think that you can connect with this person because they care about me.”

    You can read the full interview over at Channelguidemagblog.com.

  • Kurt Angle Interview: TNA’s Move To Pop, Retirement, Not Getting A Final Run In WWE & More

    TNA star Kurt Angle continues to do the media rounds to promote TNA’s upcoming European tour. Angle spoke with our friend Donald Wood of Ring Rust Radio this week about TNA’s move to Pop TV, his pick to win TNA’s World Title Series, why he and WWE couldn’t come to terms about a return and more. Here are some highlights of what he said about:

    TNA’s Move to Pop TV:

    “This is all new territory for us. Getting into another network, this will be our third in three years. Hopefully it works out and it builds something long term. It is a new network and we are excited for it. I want to be able to sit back and see how it goes.”

    Who he thinks will win the World Title Series:

    “I think it will be Bobby Lashley. As far as pro-wrestler and fighter goes, he is a beast. He has just a little bit better everything than anyone else. He really is a super athlete, so I always pick him to be the favorite.”

    Retiring from TNA after January’s UK Tour:

    “It was just the best time for me to step away. With me being able to be home a lot more this past year it helped me see what was more important to me, and that’s family. I thought it was a good move on both parts and we are both comfortable with each other.”

    Why he and WWE could not come to terms about a return:

    “Right now, I am not thinking that far into it. If I feel good after I take my time off, I might want to continue wrestling. That’s why I didn’t say I was retiring from wrestling for good. It was just the last matches I had under contract with TNA. It’s more of a TNA retirement thing rather than anything else. I’m enjoying everything about retirement right now.”

    If he would consider wrestling for NXT:

    “No. With all due respect, the talent on the NXT roster is phenomenal. They are doing something right down there as far as getting talent ready. I just don’t think it would be worth it for either side to have me go down there and work on NXT. Not saying I wouldn’t do it, but it is considered the WWE minor league. With that in mind, I think anybody would feel the same way about it.”

    Angle said that although he would have loved to work with guys like Bret Hart and Daniel Bryan, he has no regrets in his career. He’s wrestled all around the world and now it’s time to focus on his health.

  • William Regal On Dressing In Drag On RAW, Wrestlers Taking Themselves Too Serious

    WWE’s William Regal recently appeared as a guest alongside Sheamus and King Barrett on an episode of the WWE Network show, Table For 3. During the show, Regal revealed that dressing in drag during a RAW Roulette show was his favorite moment in his career. He also spoke about how wrestlers shouldn’t take themselves too seriously and how his old WWE character defined his career. Below are some of the highlights.

    On dressing in drag on RAW:

    “That was probably my favorite thing I’ve ever done in the entire time I’ve been in wrestling. Doing that was the most actual fun I ever had.”

    “If I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it right. I want the full Vegas showgirl [regalia]. I want the thing, but where are we going to get [that]? I want red high heels. Where are we going to get that? It just happened that we were in Vegas. Well, actually, I’m nearly a [size] 12 [shoe], so they went and got me 13 size red [heels], but we were in Vegas, so it was okay. It all worked out nicely.”

    On how his five week run as a “Real Man’s Man” gimmick in WWE has defined his career:

    “It lasted five weeks. I had a 30-year solid wrestling career in 40 countries and I’d been pretty successful at lots of things, but that five weeks has defined my entire career. And people still sing that song to me every day and I’m not making this up, every time I call the office, and they put me on hold, it’s that thing playing down the phone line.”

    On how wrestlers shouldn’t take themselves too seriously:

    “If you take yourself too seriously, you’ve got no chance in this job. You cannot take yourself seriously. You’ve got to embrace whatever is given and make the most of every opportunity to make it funny or to make it memorable. [Austin and Angle are] two serious fellas, right? So comfortable with themselves they’re happy to do anything. That’s the key to it. When you’re happy and you’re comfortable with yourself and you’re not worried about being a top guy, you’ll make the most out of anything and make it work.”

  • Video: Kurt Angle Announces His Retirement

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoM2C_Yze-8

    On this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling, Kurt Angle announced that he would be retiring during TNA’s tour of the UK in January. There is some ambiguity about whether he’s announcing that he’s retiring from pro wrestling or just from TNA.

    In September, Angle indicated he would be taking time off from wrestling after leaving TNA, while in October he mentioned he’s looking at a career in education or coaching.

    Angle is scheduled to be a commentator for Bellator MMA’s live Spike TV show on February 19. The main event is Royce Gracie vs. Ken Shamrock, and Kurt Angle has stated he may take a fight with Shamrock later next year.

    Related: Kurt Angle On If He Thinks WWE Will Induct Him In Hall Of Fame

  • Jim Ross Q&A: TNA’s Pop TV Deal, Abyss/WWE, Comparing Lashley & Lesnar, More

    WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently updated his Q&A section at JRsBarBQ.com, fielding questions from topics such as TNA’s new deal with Pop TV, the possibility of Kurt Angle showing up at WrestleMania or Abyss jumping to WWE and more. Below are some of the highlights.

    On how TNA should handle changing their TV product now that they are moving to Pop TV:

    “If I was TNA I would think very strongly on how I revamp my TV presentation and to develop a new, game plan for the future. Lots of ways to accomplish this but they do need a plan that is well thought out and one that they are able to execute.”

    On if he thinks Kurt Angle will appear at WrestleMania next year:

    “I’d say highly unlikely but as close to a no as I can get without saying it. Ship’s sailed or so it seems. Anything is possible.”

    On lots of wrestlers getting hurt due to a lack of selling in matches:

    “Many wrestlers take too many unnecessary chances, are often times reluctant to sell so that tey can look stronger and they have ot gained the skill set of mat /submission wrestling. It’s sad and it’s simply not a case of me being too old school.”

    On the possibility of Abyss going to WWE at this stage in his career:

    “Abyss’ offer to go to WWE was years ago and he’s happy where he is especially at this stage of his career. You’re thinking about a decade too late for any Abyss to WWE talk.”

    On whether or not Bobby Lashley should be mentioned in the same sentence as Brock Lesnar and if TNA has dropped the ball with him:

    “Bobby has really come into his own in TNA the past several months but he never had the amateur career to the level of Lesnar. Two, entirely different athletes. I’m a fan of Lashley’s work both in the ring and in the MMA cage.”

  • Kurt Angle Is Writing A Second Book And Says This Time It’ll Be “100% Honest”

    Kurt Angle was recently interviewed on the In Ring Pop podcast on iTunes. He discussed TNA, his future plans, and how his new autobiography is different from his old one.

    Here are some highlights from the In Ring Pop podcast:

    On his autobiography:

    “Book just signed with a publisher. Did first book but was rushed and now I get to talk about everything. This will be solely my take. In WWE, they protect you on everything you say and if they thought there was a possible lawsuit you had to change the story and the name and it got to the point where I’m reading my book thinking, is any of this true? Not that everything was false but everything was a little changed or twisted so this time I get to do the whole thing and be 100 percent honest.”

    TNA Tour:

    “Talk about destiny! My contract literally expires on the last day of the U.K. Tour. God did that for a reason. Our biggest and best fans are from the UK and we only come once a year and these happen to be my final matches, it’s my retirement from TNA, it’s a great feeling to know it’s going to be here and in front of thousands of fans instead of hundreds it’s a big deal for me.

    It’s nice to be able to leave but I’m gonna miss these guys, been with them for 9 years and they’ve treated me extremely well, I was in WWE for 7 years, had a great run there, unfortunately due to health, I just couldn’t keep up with the 300 days a year. I didn’t have the option of a lesser schedule they wanted me to continue full time. I just couldn’t do it. So I had to ask for release and thank god Vince gave me that option, I came to TNA and I’ve enjoyed my career there just as much as I did WWE. I’ve had some of best matches here, last year against Bobby Lashley, validated for me that I could do as much at 46 as I could at 32 it was a good feeling.”

    Manchester:

    “The best city is always between Manchester and London, it all depends on how your booked. Like last year my main event wasn’t in Manchester, it was in London but if it were the opposite then Manchester would be the city. Those 2 cities are the best cities, Manchester is every bit as good as London as far as the fans and the excitement we get from the crowd even when I was in WWE, it was the same.

    I always remember the arena because we can park our bus in the gates and the catering is the greatest out of any city or country! We always look forward to the catering in Manchester, it’s crazy!”

    Manchester spoken word event next week:

    “This is new to me, I’m kinda nervous I don’t know what people are gonna ask me. Manchester United asked me to come visit and I said yeah, I get to meet some of the players, they gave me the option and any time I can do that, the success you guys have had in football here is as popular as US football and I always want to meet the guys who make it so successful so it will be fun. They are also welcome on the tour! I would love that, can you tell them?!”

    It is a Q and A show, are there any questions he gets bored of?

    “It’s not boring but it’s hard, what is my favourite match? It changes and I would have said my first world title against The Rock but then last year I wrestled Bobby Lashley and I validated that I was just as good now and so that became my favourite, so it does change quite a bit. You can’t deny the Wrestlemania moments, knowing that 2 million people are watching worldwide. It’s the most special moments whether it be Shawn Michaels, Brock Lesner, Eddie Guerrero or Chris Benoit.”

    Who will he be wrestling on the UK tour?

    “I Love Bobby Lashley but what about the uk guys that I haven’t wrestled yet and what if TNA were to bring AJ styles back? There are lots of options and I’d also like a rematch with EC3”

    On Wrestlemania:

    “The wrestlers spend a week in that city, they go over the match every day, I’ve done that every year except, the year that I wrestled Shawn Michaels. Shawn and I just got to know each other I didn’t even know what kind of match I was going to have with Shawn but he was so damn good we didn’t go over anything except for 1 move. I just wanted to see if I could lift him out of a key lock over my head, we just practised that, the rest of the week we just got to know each other. I didn’t feel pressured and that was my best match ever and rightfully so – it is Shaw Michaels, he’s not called Mr Wrestlemania for no reason.”

    India:

    “Looking forward to that, never wrestled there, it’s a country that’s starving for wrestling, hopefully we can do shows that will allow them to come for free, I think we owe that to them. I know in the past WWE have gone over there and didn’t draw because it costs money so it would be great for them to get in for free and watch us.”

    Retirement plans:

    “Have fun, travel, move – go to Cali for a week then Florida for a week seeing how it looks what we wanna do, spending time with wife and kids as not been able to do that for 15 years, this past years been a blessing as been with TNA part time. Just signed with Hollywood and just signed with Bellator to do commentary for them.”

    Acting:

    “Have a movie scheduled in March called ‘Epidemic’. Ive done 20 reads this past year and didn’t get 1. That’s the way it is, it takes time and practise and I’m very optimistic about it I love acting. Not looking at action as much as comedy or drama, more emotion so hopefully I’ll get to go down that avenue rather than down the ass kicker shooting a machine gun and beating some guys up.”

    The former WWE champ also mentioned recently he may take a fight against Ken Shamrock for Bellator MMA in 2016.

    Related: Kurt Angle Says There’s A Possibility He’ll Fight Ken Shamrock In 2016

  • TNA World Title Series Update (Video), Impact Wrestling Preview For Tonight, Kurt Angle

    https://youtu.be/eHppGGMccIo

    – In the video featured above, Josh Mathews and The Pope update fans on the ongoing TNA World Title Series, which continues on tonight’s edition of Impact Wrestling on Destination America.

    – Speaking of tonight’s Impact Wrestling, the following matches were taped for the show:

    * Abyss vs. Bobby Roode
    * Awesome Kong vs. Brooke Tessmacher
    * Tigre Uno vs. DJ Zema Ion
    * Crimson vs. Eli Drake
    * Eric Young vs. James Storm
    * Mahabali Shera vs. Aiden O’Shea
    * Matt Hardy vs. Ethan Carter III

    – Jeremy Borash posted the following on Twitter regarding his role as the opening speaker at Kurt Angle’s one-man show tonight in London, England.

    https://twitter.com/JeremyBorash/status/666970936814473220

  • Kurt Angle On If He Had A Better Run In WWE Or TNA, His Bellator Commentary Debut & More

    Kurt Angle recently spoke with pro wrestling journalist Tom Feaheny to promote his last U.K. tour with TNA. Below are some of the highlights from the interview, which you can listen to in full above.

    On his last tour with Impact Wrestling in the U.K.:

    “This is my last time with Impact Wrestling and the U.K. tour, this is the way I wanted to go out. It’s a great chance for me to have some of my best matches before I move onto something else.”

    On if he planned to stay in wrestling for so long:

    “No, I actually told other wrestlers I would be in it for five years. I’ve never been a person to go a long time or outstay my welcome. In Olympic wrestling after I won the gold medal, I retired. I could have gone another four years, but with professional wrestling I caught the bug, it’s a passion I have.”

    On his plan to teach wrestling:

    “I haven’t talked to anyone about coaching, but I’m not concerned I’m sure I can teach wherever I want to. I just want to take a break from professional wrestling. I’ve signed with an agency to start doing more movies.”

    On his Bellator commentary debut:

    “I’ve signed to be a commentator with Bellator, it’s nice seeing other people getting beat up. I’ve had a blast, I just wish my first commentary lasted longer as Lashley won in a minute but it was a lot of fun. I think Lashley is a great wrestler and one of the best MMA fighters at the moment.”

    On whether his best run was in WWE or TNA:

    “It’s a hard question, but I had a better career in TNA than I did in WWE. In WWE I wrestled Shawn Michaels, Chris Beniot, Eddie Guerrero, The Rock, Triple H, Edge there were so many great wrestlers. In TNA I’ve had a lot of fun and I had experience and maturity in TNA that’s why I was able to enjoy it more.”

    On who he wants to face in the U.K.:

    “I would love to fight Eric Young, Bobby Roode, Bobby Lashley and EC3, but I want to wrestle a Brit. Drew Galloway, Bram or Spud and I don’t expect the fans to cheer me, but it will be a lot of fun.”

  • Kurt Angle Says Kayfabe Needs To Return, Speaks On Why Vince Pushed Him As A Heel

    Kurt Angle recently sat down with the Nottingham Post to promote his “Golden Truth” public speaking tour, where he’ll tackle any questions from his fans. Here are some highlights from the interview:

    Kurt Angle on why Vince pushed him as a heel early:

    “Vince wanted me to look like somebody that was just too good to be true. I didn’t think they would boo me but Vince knew they would. He saw what happened with the Rock when they tried to push him.

    He wanted to do the same thing with me because this time he knew they would boo me. I had no training on the mic or anything like that. I was trained to be a pro wrestler. Vince threw me in the river and watched to see if I would sink or swim. I had a few months in Memphis and I was basically on TV. The top guys – Rock, Triple H, Stone Cold Steve Austin and the Undertaker – they carried me for a year.”

    Why kayfabe returning could be a good thing:

    “Wrestling is always changing. There is no shortage of talent out there,” he said. “It’s an industry that goes in cycles. It’s a little stagnant now. Something needs to change.

    I was talking to my wife about it. I think it would be good to go back to kayfabe. When you lifted the curtain and showed people backstage it was new and intriguing, but if you go back to how it was, it could be the change wrestling needs.”

    Angle on the Golden Truth tour coming to the UK:

    “It’s something I’m really looking forward to. I’ve got a lot to tell and people can ask me whatever they want. UK fans are great. They’re a lot more intrigued by the backstage element of the business.

    They respect the business a lot and hold guys in high regard. I’ve been going to the UK for about 15 years. They really appreciate your effort and that makes you work hard to put on a good match for them.”

    Related: Kurt Angle Says There’s A Possibility He’ll Fight Ken Shamrock In 2016

  • NXT Talent Cuts Expected, Big Guests On “Legends With JBL,” Soccer Players At RAW (Photo)

    – There are rumors going around claiming that WWE is planning on announcing one or two NXT talent cuts in the near future. While we can confirm the talk, there hasn’t been any word yet regarding which talents may be on the chopping block. The cuts are expected to be announced in the next month or two.

    – As noted, WWE will be running a special “Undertaker Week” on the WWE Network starting next Monday. As part of the special theme, a new episode of “Legends with JBL” will premiere. The show will feature “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H and Shawn Michaels talking about “The Dead Man.”

    – Triple H posted the following photo of himself with U.K. soccer stars Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher at backstage at Monday’s RAW in Manchester, England.

    https://instagram.com/p/94diSVPwLU/