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The Professor's Position on Kurt Angle
 This is the Professor’s Position on Kurt Angle. An entire column dedicated to TNA’s newest acquisition, Olympic Gold Medalist, Kurt Angle. I’d like to begin by pointing out why I have chosen now, as opposed to earlier to write on Kurt Angle. The answer is simple. While every other IWC pundit was writing columns about Kurt, I sat back and waited for the facts to roll in. While people were speculating, claiming things that weren’t true, or worse yet just making stuff up... I, Newton Gimmick, prepared for a legitimate article addressing everything that has happened and what we can look forward to. With that preface out of the way, I’m going to break down the Kurt Angle signing and the importance of Angle to TNA in a series of bullet points. Every item has been researched and is 100% accurate to the best of my knowledge. While some things remain opinions, I insist that I have kept the truth here as best to my ability.
First, let me clarify that Kurt wasn’t “fired”. He asked for a release. Why? Many have questioned this. Kurt himself has now gone on the record and said he wanted out of the WWE because they refused to give him the time off he asked. Stalled his push and only cared about his health with it suited them. WWE also admitted that they left on good terms with Kurt, but later changed their story and bashed Angle a bit. If you were looking for the “truth”, you’d need to look no further then WWE programming. Every brand of WWE mentioned Kurt leaving on their TV shows and said Kurt was a class act. I can’t say for sure which is the absolute truth, but it’s hard to believe WWE’s story that Kurt was “out of control” when they first said he was so professional. It appears to me that WWE changed their story when they found out that Kurt might seek employment elsewhere. Here is the official WWE.com statement about Kurt’s release. On Friday afternoon, WWE and Kurt Angle came to a mutual agreement on an early release from Angle's contract. Due to personal issues, Kurt Angle has been granted an early release from his contract. WWE looks forward to establishing a new relationship with Kurt in the near future. The only Olympic gold medallist in WWE history, Kurt Angle arrived in 1999 and quickly became one of the most decorated champions in sports-entertainment history. "The Wrestling Machine" is not only a six-time World Champion, but also held the Intercontinental Championship and WWE Tag Team Championship; he also won the 2000 King of the Ring tournament. Recently joining ECW, Angle’s unmatched intensity was rivaled only by his technical and athletic in-ring prowess. Take that for what you will, but it certainly appeared that WWE loved Angle, so long as they thought he was coming back to the WWE.
Just days after Kurt’s release, WWE was full of interviews about Kurt. It was obviously their biggest news story. However, things suddenly changed and it appeared as though the WWE was slightly “burying” Kurt. Here’s what Vince said: It’s unfortunate that Kurt was released, and it’s really unfortunate for the WWE fans who, for a while at least, won’t see Angle in action,” the Chairman told WWE.com. “(Angle) is a consummate professional; obviously he’s a great athlete, and he’s the only Olympic Gold Medalist in WWE history. Not to have Kurt with us is really unfortunate all the way around...but circumstances were such that Kurt should have been, and was, granted his release.” However, McMahon also said that Angle’s success has come at a price, and that price is part of what led to his situation. “Kurt has a history of being one of the greatest athletes that America has ever seen. It’s no secret that even when Kurt won the Olympic Gold Medal, he did so with a broken neck,” he said. “Kurt has been dealing with that pain, and the advancement of that pain, as well as other injuries. He had been dealing with that injury since he won the gold medal; he had been masking it in many ways just so he could go out and compete. Kurt only knows 100-percent; he is not one of those guys who can go out and compete at an 85-percent level. He just cannot do that; he’s a thoroughbred. He has to go as fast, and as great, and as strong as he possibly can; that’s the only way Kurt Angle knows.” The Chairman also confirmed that the door is always open for Angle to return if and when he is able. “WWE would certainly welcome Kurt back with open arms,” the Chairman affirmed. “I think Kurt has some issues he has to face, as we all do from time to time. We all have our demons, and as human beings, it is important for us to overcome them and become better human beings, athletes and business people.” That still doesn’t sound that bad, but it’s clear Vince is saying “Kurt had drug problems” without actually saying it. Overall, things still appeared to be fine. Vince’s new tone came after a few stories circulated that Kurt Angle might pursue MMA or even UFC fights. UFC has recently began to rival WWE in buyrates and TV ratings, so one would assume this had to do with McMahon’s new take on Angle.
The shot heard round the world. TNA had promised a groundbreaking announcement just days before. Dixie Carter herself said it would change the landscape of wrestling. After rumors of a new TV deal, Vince Russo and countless other things, it was revealed that Kurt Angle had signed with TNA. Many were shocked. Scratch that, ALL were shocked. Even those within TNA weren’t aware. TNA had pulled off the ultimate coup; even insiders like Dave Meltzer and the like were stunned. It was the first surprise of this type in literally ten or more years in pro-wrestling. It was the first LEGITIMATE surprise since Scott Hall showed up on Monday Nitro. While Angle was a free agent, no one expected TNA to sign him, or expected him to go to TNA. Immediately there was feedback. A ton of positive, but also a ton of negative. People called Angle a traitor. Said he was insane, unhealthy, going to die any day now. It was ludicrous to think that a man who had been so highly regarded just days before, was suddenly on the IWC‘s (Internet Wrestling Community) hit list. It was true though. Every major wrestling website (Sans this one) had an article up bashing Kurt’s decision to go to TNA. While some did agree with TNA and Angle, a large majority hated the thought. Mostly because they couldn’t believe it and people’s most common response to shock is to complain. Slowly people began to realize that this was a good thing, but many diehard WWE converts still blamed Angle and basically said TNA was trying to kill the man.
Although Kurt hadn’t stepped foot near a TNA ring, he was already being called a cripple and unable to compete. Jim Ross attacked Kurt early on, saying that he feared for his health and said he’d be back in WWE soon. Which is a point that almost contradicts itself, but that’s for another column. IWC pundits across the globe weighed the pros and cons of Kurt in TNA. Most felt he wasn’t ready for wrestling, even on a reduced schedule. Despite the fact that Angle was wrestling in ECW only a few weeks before and didn’t appear any worse then ever before. Finally, I sat back and wondered if Kurt was going to be 100% in TNA. I knew Kurt had been adjusting his style for years due to nagging injuries, but even I had to admit that ECW Angle was as intense as I’d ever seen him. How could he go from that to a broken down mess in a matter of weeks? I didn’t buy it. I expected Angle to be fine by the time he finally laced up the boots in TNA.
The time came and Kurt Angle finally spoke out about his time in WWE and his new venture in TNA. He didn’t openly bash WWE or Vince McMahon, but he did put his side out on the table. Kurt said that he had been held back by the WWE. Told what moves he couldn’t do. Told that he had to wrestle a certain style. Vince told him a cup of coffee and an Olympic Gold Medal didn't mean shit. Kurt took high offense to that. He promised that Vince and WWE hadn’t seen anything yet, and that it was time for the REAL Kurt Angle to emerge. He was going to prove them wrong. Again, many IWC pundits claimed Kurt was going to hurt himself. They laughed at the idea that he’d been held back. But no one can deny WWE’s intense limitation on ring work. Piledrivers, moonsaults, and numerous other moves are either outright banned, or limited to special occasions. It boggles the mind to think what an intense athlete like Angle may have been prohibited to do. I myself, wouldn’t be surprised to see Shooting Star Presses and Lucha-esque moves from Kurt Angle. He’s a consistent student of the game, who constantly learns and adapts. That of course is just speculation, but a Kurt Angle unleashed seems very much that way to me.
TNA held it’s monthly conference call, and Kurt obviously was the main guest. Here’s some highlights of what Kurt said, with my thoughts. If you’d like to read the whole thing, click HERE. Q. We heard that you were frustrated with WWE, would you elaborate? A. I wasn't getting rest and the proper medical care. I was being buried into the ground. They would promise time off and then say I had to perform because others went out with injury. I felt I had to do it and they needed me, but also I was treated unfairly. They knew my history of injury, but they also put me out there when I needed the time off. I also had to do all the media appearances. I wanted to cut them to when I was on the road, not as extra days. I was very unhappy. Kurt comes right out and says WWE wouldn’t let him heal. This is a fact. Check back into the archives and see how many times Kurt has been supposedly shelved for injuries, but then ends back up on TV in a matter of weeks. It’s a staggering number. The fact that he says WWE basically MADE him go out and wrestle helps elude to why he might want to leave the company forever. Q. Do you feel that you were pushed out of WWE ala Bret Hart going to WCW. A. I left WWE. They had just resigned me to a new 5-year deal. Vince wants to compete with himself and he wants to keep it that way, he doesn't want TNA to take off. They never gave me the time off I needed and never gave me a chance to help teach younger talent to help the future of the company. I asked for the meeting, I asked for the release. It was a mutual release, and anything else that was reported is false. Vince wanted me to stay, but I wasn't having fun and WWE is going downward. I feel that I need to be used properly and I feel I was the best there. The agents felt the same way, but Vince didn't. I asked for it, I got the release and he wanted it to be mutual to save face and that was that. I don't see myself going back, but you can never rule anything out. My wife wouldn't let me probably. I promise that in TNA I will have fun and I won't be pressured. They look to us for ideas and that is important. There isn't all the politics, and I won't talk about people in WWE. I see room for me to grow here and for TNA to grow. I will be here with Dixie and TNA in some form for 30-years I hope, agent, writer, talent scout, developmental, anything I can do. I have a passion and I will always be here, and I will watch this company grow. I will get even bigger with a company that wants to use me properly. I want to tell the guys, if you can take my spot, take it, we'll al make more money together. I made a lot of people in WWE, but now I want to make the company in TNA. I will enjoy this, and it will grow quickly. Again, Kurt tells it pretty straight. WWE wanted to keep him. They felt that they owned him. He didn’t like that. He’s said that from the moment he left. He felt “owned”. He’s an Olympian, not an old dog. I have to agree with Angle here as WWE feels it owns every one of it’s talents. They take down MySpace accounts, they force the old wrestlers to sign Legends contracts. Honky Tonk Man had a great column up about how WWE tried to force him to sign a deal where they would get his name and likeness and pay him a measly $5,000. He told them to shove it, and he’d rather die broke with his name and gimmick then sell out and become owned by them. Kurt feels very much the same way, as he doesn’t want to be the property of someone else. He wants to help a property, but not be a property. Can you imagine the Chicago Bulls OWNING Michael Jordan? Scary thought. Q. There are rumors that you take too many painkillers. Can you explain that. A. I haven't taken painkillers in eighteen months. I did have a problem and became dependant on them and I went to Jim Ross and Vince, and I explained to them I was afraid I may die. I was on the road 300 days a year and I would take full handfuls of pills. My wife took me to a pain doctor, and I had a match in 3-days with Cena. I was told to go to rehab, and I was told not to go cold turkey, but I wanted to do it cold turkey and he said I could die. I called Vince that I needed 3-months off for rehab and he refused and said to rehab on the road. He said he didn't want to hear excuses, and the doctor said it was impossible. I did it, but it took me down several notches. I had my PPV match with Cena, I made him look good and that was all that was important to WWE. From them on my relationship with Vince went sour. If you make big money for Vince, and as far as just wrestling I made him a lot, they don't care about you. I made Cena look tons better than he is. After that I was supposed to have the day off, but someone got sick and I was told to go and work while I was supposed to be off. I lost all respect for Vince then, and 2-3 years after that it got even worse and he and I didn't talk. It was both our faults in the end, but I never should have been put in that situation. Vince cares about the business more than an individual's health. Another scary revelation by Kurt Angle. He says Vince REFUSED to take him off the road when he was taking scary levels of painkillers. It makes one wonder if guys like Eddie Guerrero didn’t do the same thing and were told to “rehab on the road” only to die on that very same road. It’s a sad bit of reality, but WWE doesn’t give their wrestlers the time off they need. Even the WWE’s new wellness policy has turned into a joke. After Smackdown was CRIPPLED by suspensions, WWE changed their policy to allow “road rehab” and keep guys on TV, as opposed to letting them recoup. How anyone can still believe that Kurt staying with WWE was healthier for him is obscene. Q. Would you thank him for putting you on TV? A. Sure, but I would have been successful anywhere. I had offers from everywhere, and I took his offer, which was the lowest. I could have done MMA, WCW, Japan and or movies. I do thank him sure, but I was thrown into the fire and I thank Patterson and Brisco and myself for the success I got. I would never trade my life for my career. Some may not know this, but Kurt Angle was originally going to be in ECW. He was signed to go to ECW, but after seeing a crucifixion angle on a show he headed to WWE instead. I can't say for certain that Kurt would have become a huge star elsewhere, but it’s hard to argue that point. He had all the talent and ability. You can’t make that. No matter how hard you push someone. To that extent, Kurt’s push wasn’t that great in the beginning. He had a forgettable undefeated streak and actually jobbed to Tazz in a squash. It was Kurt’s personality and three I’s that got him over. Q. You discussed that you asked to be released. WWE agreed it was mutual and then said you were confrontational and a wreck. McMahon said last week that you would be your own demise and not thinking long term. What is your reaction to these comments? A. Vince never thought I would go anywhere else. Vince said he would release me to rest and then come back. He offered me another 5-year deal when I was ready to come back. That shows that he didn't want to lose me. And I was a wreck, I was treated like a dog for years and were attacked the entire meeting for asking to wrestle part time. I then asked for the release and that shocked them. They then said I was acting oddly and I was. It wasn't from drug use, I did it because they were ignoring me. They wanted me to sign the new deal, and I didn't want to be signed with the devil. I didn't think I would get the release, I became emotional and was upset in the position they put me in. Vince had a change of heart. He heard I would make $30,000,000 in PRIDE, but didn't believe it. He said he would give me the time, and then would resign me. Incredible stuff. Anyone, who’s seen Vince’s ego off camera, knows this rings true. Vince fired Jerry Lawler after 10+ years of service, without even giving him a reason. Although technically Lawler quit, he wanted to know why McMahon was firing his wife Stacy Carter, but Vince wouldn’t give him a reason. McMahon is cold hearted and doesn’t care about the wrestlers or talents because he has the brand. He feels he owns them within the brand, and in many ways he does. Especially since gaining ownership of ECW and WCW. Vince feels he answers to no one, even God. Q. If he thought TNA was an option, do you think he would have fully released you? A. No way. I thought I would do MMA but then I met Dixie Carter and it all seemed to fit. Spike TV is a great channel and I want to be a part of it. I will say I was emotional, and maybe on purpose and Vince dropped his guard and I got out of it. Vince thought I was a wreck, I wasn't but I got out, which is what I wanted. He didn't want to be liable probably yet wanted me back. He was the good and bad cop. That was supposed to be confidential. Kurt outsmarted McMahon. By making out like he was worse then he was, he got free of McMahon’s prison. You again might find that over-the-top, but look at what happened to Kurt Angle’s friend Brock Lesner. He couldn’t handle the stress of WWE’s workload and asked for time off. They REFUSED to give it to him, and he finally quit. He was forced to sign an early release that forbid him from wrestling ANYWHERE, and it also forbid him from MMA, boxing and damn near any “sport”. Not only that, but it runs til 2010! It crippled Brock’s ability to make money. Kurt was smart enough to fool the WWE into thinking he’d be coming back. While he knew all the while he had no intentions of going back. Sadly, I feel Kurt might be the last one for a long time, as WWE can’t afford to lose another talent. Q. Word was you talked to UFC, who did they want you to face and what do you think about Dana's thoughts on you now? A. The deal he offered me he wanted an actor for sure. I didn't want to be owned by anyone, and Dana is a lot like Vince. I considered going there, but he wanted a long-term exclusive deal. He wanted me to fight some kid from Tough Enough and is trying to make money off my name. When I stepped into the ring with him I had little feeling in my arms, now is a different story. The money was a great offer, but they wanted me as a poster boy more than a fighter. Dana and UFC are great and on the rise, but I didn't want to be owned. The fight would have been a huge buy-rate, but it just wasn't for me. If I do fight, I will probably go with UFC. I would work with Puder if TNA signed him, but he really isn't that good as WWE tried with him but he just wasn't good enough and not near my level or at the level of anyone in TNA, he doesn't have it. I have no respect for him. I am a different guy, I am bigger and have all my strength back so he couldn't do it again. At that time almost anyone could have done that to me at the time, in the end a stupid idea from Vince. Dana White has been slamming Angle and TNA ever since Kurt joined. This is because White really, really wanted Kurt. Angle decided to go elsewhere and Dana White has been throwing a temper tantrum ever since. I would guess this has to do with the lack of top level UFC stars. UFC is close to breaking big ground, but knows that outside of Shamrock & Ortiz, they have squat. Angle could have made them a lot of money, but now he’ll be making TNA that money. Tough titty Dana.
For those that think perhaps Kurt was lying when he claimed that WWE tried to own him, check this letter out: World Wrestling Entertainment recently sent TNA wrestler Kurt Angle a nasty legal letter with a series of demands. All of their demands aren't quite known yet, but here are the demands known thus far. WWE demanded that Angle and TNA not refer to his ankle lock finisher as the "Angle lock." Angle laughed at that one because he had no idea that anyone called his finisher the "Angle lock" to begin with it, thinking it's always been the ankle lock. WWE also demanded that Angle not call himself "The Wrestling Machine," or "The Machine." Surprisingly, they didn't object to him wearing a mouthpiece, but it can't have "Machine" written on it. Also, we should find out soon if WWE claimed ownership to the term "Angle slam" and if he'll have to use a new name for the maneuver. WWE can probably rightfully claim ownership to that term. Also note, the U.S. Olympic committee probably wouldn't allow TNA to use the term "Olympic slam." That’s right. WWE is trying to claim ownership of the ANKLE LOCK! Of course I never thought it made sense to call it the “Angle Lock” anyway. Most people refer to it as the ankle lock, but it’s funny that WWE tried to strip Kurt of anything they could. Including such mundane things as that. I also find it amusing since that move has KURT’s own name in it. Hard to claim ownership of someone’s real name, but again, WWE tries to OWN Kurt and it’s wrestlers.
The reality is Kurt Angle signing to TNA is the biggest thing to happen to TNA. It’s also the biggest thing to happen to wrestling in eons. Why is it so important? The bottom line is, Kurt Angle is the arguably the best pure wrestler in the United States, if not the world. He was without a doubt, the single best wrestler in the WWE. TNA scoring the WWE’s best wrestler is a blow, no matter how you look at it. Will Kurt make ratings an overnight success? Of course not. Anyone who thinks Kurt will raise TNA’s ratings beyond a .02 at best is silly. Kurt can’t single handed raise the ratings. What Kurt can do is get people interested. Then when fans tune in and see Kurt Angle having five star matches with TNA wrestlers, the ratings will rise. Is Kurt healthy? According to him, his doctors, Johnny Devine and others... He is. Kurt will be healthier in his first TNA match then his last ECW match. That much is for sure. Kurt’s had almost 2 months off now. It’ll be at least another few weeks before he’s wrestling in a TNA ring. That means Kurt will have gotten a longer rest period then almost anytime in his six year WWE career. If you think Kurt’s not healthier now then before, you’re a fool. What about Angle’s matches? Well I expect, no, I can basically guarantee that Kurt will have some classics. No matter what TNA is paying him, Kurt is worth it. The plethora of five star matches Kurt will have with TNA stars is worth any price. I’ve always said Hogan would be the best acquisition for TNA, and I stand by that. The Rock would be right under that. Kurt Angle is third. In the long run, Angle is better then Rock or Hogan, as he’ll not only deliver hype, but wicked matches that Rock and Hogan couldn’t. Finally, can TNA make use of Kurt Angle? Well that remains to be seen. I have to admit that TNA isn’t stupid. They know how important Kurt can be. If he’s utilized right they can use him as a cornerstone to build an empire. Not unlike WWE wanted to do with Angle and ECW. Kurt can help TNA focus on their excellent wrestling and only make them evolve more. Where does this leave WWE? Well the E is never hurting. This was a serious blow to them. Credibility wise as well as talent wise. I don’t even know who takes the next spot as “top” WWE wrestler. I guess 40+ year old Shawn Michaels is next in line, but that shows you just how devoid of talent WWE really is now. It does give a definitive answer to the question of who has the best wrestlers. TNA wins hands down now. I’ve thought TNA won for quite some time in that department, but WWE fans could always fall back on Kurt Angle as being “the man”. Now, TNA has WWE’s trump card, which leaves WWE with an empty hand and a deck full of jokers.
If you’re a wrestling fan, it’s a good time. If you’re a TNA fan, it’s a good time. If you’re a WWE fan, well... It’s been better. The moral of this story is, Kurt Angle is good, no... GREAT for TNA. TNA is great for Kurt Angle. It’s a match made in heaven. Thankfully it happened, it’s real and the facts are there. I’m excited and I hope you are too. The WWE, IWC pundits and critics have been shut up. The truth is now out there and finally we have a definitive answer on what greatness lay ahead. In the coming months Kurt Angle will either deliver, or he won’t. We all know he will. It makes this the best time to be a wrestling fan, and it’s a good time to hope on that TNA train. Because, they ARE wrestling. That’s it. Next time we’ll tackle Vince Russo, and I should have my regular TNA report on the way. Contact me at ProfNewtonGimmick@yahoo.com. Professor out!
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