Kurt Angle to be Inducted Into the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame
It’s true! It’s True! The first inductee named to the 2017 WWE Hall of Fame is a man who personified intensity, integrity, and intelligence. Before Kurt Angle broke into a WWE he was already a legend. He was a NCAA Division 1 Champion in 1990 and 1992 along with being an All American during his time at Clarion University. His greatest achievement outside of pro wrestling took place in the 1996 Olympic Games where he won a Gold Medal in freestyle wrestling. Once his Amatuer Wrestling career was over he began to think about the world of pro wrestling. He attended an episode of ECW shortly after the Olympics but had no interest in ECW due a controversial angle they did while he was in attendance. This would not be the last time we saw Kurt Angle in a pro wrestling setting.
Kurt Angle made his WWE debut at Survivor Series 1999 where he defeated Shawn Stasiak. In Kurt Angle’s first full year in WWE he won the Intercontinental Championship, European Championship, WWE Championship and won the King of the Ring tournament. Not to many in pro wrestling can have a great first year like Angle did. He took on the likes of Austin, The Rock, Triple H and The Undertaker. King of the Ring played host to some of Angle’s most classic encounters. In 2001, he had an incredible street fight with Shane McMahon that left both men with multiple injuries One year later he did something that very few people have been able to do. He made fellow Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan tap out to his famous submission the ankle lock.
When I think of Kurt Angle in the middle of his prime I think of his battles with Brock Lesnar. He and Brock had the amateur background in common which made them fierce competitors inside the ring. His matches with Brock at Wrestlemania 19, Vengeance 2003, Summerslam 2003 and their Iron Man Match on Smackdown are matches that will always be remembered as classics. He also had classic matches with the likes of Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and Shawn Michaels. He did not have a bad match any of these guys. Angle had an incredible 7 year run in WWE but Angle’s career was very far from over.
In a shocking move Angle debuted for TNA Impact Wrestling in October 2006. He instantly feuded with Samoa Joe and ended Joe’s undefeated streak. During his 10 years at Impact Wrestling he feuded with Sting, Scott Steiner, Christian, AJ Styles, Bobby Lashley and many others. His most intriguing rivalry was with Jeff Jarrett because it was so personal. Even though it was personal they kept it professional and ended up having some great matches. He also wrestled in New Japan where he worked with the likes of Shinsuke Nakamura, Masahiro Chono, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii. Since his departure from TNA Impact Wrestling early last year he has been on the independent scene taking on the likes of Zack Sabre Jr. and Cody Rhodes.
Kurt Angles accomplishments are many in his 18 year career. He has had 22 championship reigns, won the King of the Ring, King of the Mountain, and is recognized by many pro wrestling publications. I am personally excited that Kurt Angle has returned to the WWE family and is taking his place into the WWE Hall of Fame. It is something that is well deserved and well earned. Congratulations to Kurt Angle on becoming the newest inductee to the WWE Hall of Fame.
