Guest wildpegasus Report post Posted September 14, 2003 From the Torch website: Torch subscriber since 1998 and Torch VIP member Matt Smith of Glenolden, Pa. sent in the following report from Kurt Angle's speech at West Chester University on Friday. WWE Champion Kurt Angle spent an evening talking to the kids at West Chester University of Pennsylvania this past Friday. Let me just start off by saying that Kurt Angle is one incredible person. He immediately made a connection with the audience and seemed to really enjoy himself. He talked in-depth about his childhood and his rise to stardom in amateur wrestling. He alluded to his neck injuries and how he almost risked paralysis and possible death by continuing wrestling, and then discussed his feelings about working for the WWE and how he'll never trade it in for anything in the world. Angle was very insightful and even more so inspiring. He closed by telling the students to keep motivated after graduation even if it takes years to earn a successful living "doing what you truly have a passion for." After his speech, Angle passed around his WWE title and allowed the audience to ask questions. One fan asked if there are any plans in the near future for him to be a part of a tag team. Angle responded, "I shouldn't be saying this, but within the next half year or so, the plan is for me to team with John Cena." That got a good pop from the audience. Another fan wondered how tough it was on him and his family being away for 240 days a year. Angle said it is extremely tough, and used this past week as an example. Angle said he has only seen his family once all week when he was home for a couple of hours on Thursday. Now let me tell you that West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a small state school in the northeast part of the state. It's a division III school. So basically, Angle was nice enough to volunteer his time to speak at some unknown state school somewhere in PA on his day off!Like I said, this guy is incredible. Angle jokingly said, "I went to the best state school in PA, Clarion," which drew some laughs and boos from the audience. Angle admitted that at SummerSlam, Brock Lesnar was suppose to win the title, but Brock didn't want it to happen. Angle said that Brock "tapping out" was the best thing for him (Brock) because it enabled him to turn full-fledge heel and thus gave him the opportunity to establish his "monster" character. I was fortunate to ask Angle what his relationship with Brock is like backstage. He told me that he considers Brock his best friend and trusts him more than anyone . When I asked Angle if he acts like a mentor, or a big brother to Brock, he said, "Brock has a great mind for the business, so I don't have to teach him a whole lot." I quickly asked him for autograph, and he had no problem with that. In fact, he stayed for a long time signing autographs. Oh yeah, and the event was only $5 with school ID! Spending my Friday night with Kurt Angle was well worth it. It was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am very grateful for Angle to show up at my school, let alone acknowledge me with an answer to a question, an autograph, and a handshake. Kudos to Kurt! Other interesting notes: Angle said he wishes one day he'll get to wrestle his ultimate dream opponent, Bret Hart. I don't see how this is possible, but Angle went as far to say that it could happen at WrestleMania 20... Angle said his best matches came against Chris Benoit and considers him "the best technician in the world today"... Angle heavily promoted his Iron Man match with Brock Lesnar. He said that he's taking this match seriously and told everyone to expect to see "a lot of action." Angle admitted that he has studied the match from WrestleMania 12 between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. He called it "awesome"... Angle said he has been offered movie roles, but has declined due to obvious conflicts in schedule. He said jokingly, "Rocky got away with it," referring to The Rock choosing to do movies rather than a be a full-time player in WWE... © Copyright 2003 by TDH Communications Inc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mulatto Heat Report post Posted September 14, 2003 Angle admitted that at SummerSlam, Brock Lesnar was suppose to win the title, but Brock didn't want it to happen. Angle said that Brock "tapping out" was the best thing for him (Brock) because it enabled him to turn full-fledge heel and thus gave him the opportunity to establish his "monster" character. I had a feeling that Brock was slated to win at SSlam. But how did the tapout establish him as a monster? It showed he had a weakness and thus a source of heat. Angle admitted that he has studied the match from WrestleMania 12 between Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Why must he 'admit' to something like that? Angle responded, "I shouldn't be saying this, but within the next half year or so, the plan is for me to team with John Cena." *Awaits Anglesault's reaction* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just call me Dan 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2003 There must have been a lot of wrestling fans in that university. It seems as if he met up with a bunch of smarks and talked to them. Cool stuff. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2003 So, Brock tapping out was a good thing for his character? Angle is fucking retarded. If Angle/Brock is anything like Michaels/Hart then that crowd will be d-e-a-d within 10 minutes. Falls-o-plenty will be crucial in that match. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BoboBrazil 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2003 Brock tapping out was a good thing for his character. He is more over as a heel than he ever was before and the crowd starts up the "you tapped out" chants the minute he appears on screen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2003 Oh yeah, just like the "boring" chants were good for Lance Storm's character, right? Brock tapping out makes him look like a complete and utter pussy. Why is this Iron Man match even taking place? Angle has cleanly tapped out and pinned Brock Lesnar. What else is there? Angle TKO's Brock? Now, if the storyline of the match was "Can Angle tap out Brock?", then this would be a different story. But it wasn't. Lesnar tapping out got ZERO buildup and is now a dumbass chant that makes him look like a tool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest RollingSambos Report post Posted September 14, 2003 Angle actually thinks that there is a chance that he is going to wrestle Bret Hart at WrestleMania XX? That's pretty funny. The only way that "match" could happen is if Bret wore a retard helmet and never left his feet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just call me Dan 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2003 Oh yeah, just like the "boring" chants were good for Lance Storm's character, right? Brock tapping out makes him look like a complete and utter pussy. Why is this Iron Man match even taking place? Angle has cleanly tapped out and pinned Brock Lesnar. What else is there? Angle TKO's Brock? Now, if the storyline of the match was "Can Angle tap out Brock?", then this would be a different story. But it wasn't. Lesnar tapping out got ZERO buildup and is now a dumbass chant that makes him look like a tool. Can Angle Tap Out Brock? What does that mean? Brock is getting more heat than he ever has with these chants. It shows some form of weakness, and it helps establish Angle a bit. If you remember around WMXIX time, Brock basically made Angle his bitch, and was in the same position as Angle is now. They had to build Angle back up as Brock's equal. I'd say Brock is taking it home on Thursday, further creating the sense of equality. This helps build the title matches as anything can happen without the normal "Champ just got the belt, he'll have it for at least 3 months" deal. It helps the matches have unpredictable finishes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2003 Oh yeah, just like the "boring" chants were good for Lance Storm's character, right? Brock tapping out makes him look like a complete and utter pussy. Why is this Iron Man match even taking place? Angle has cleanly tapped out and pinned Brock Lesnar. What else is there? Angle TKO's Brock? Now, if the storyline of the match was "Can Angle tap out Brock?", then this would be a different story. But it wasn't. Lesnar tapping out got ZERO buildup and is now a dumbass chant that makes him look like a tool. Can Angle Tap Out Brock? What does that mean? Brock is getting more heat than he ever has with these chants. It shows some form of weakness, and it helps establish Angle a bit. If you remember around WMXIX time, Brock basically made Angle his bitch, and was in the same position as Angle is now. They had to build Angle back up as Brock's equal. I'd say Brock is taking it home on Thursday, further creating the sense of equality. This helps build the title matches as anything can happen without the normal "Champ just got the belt, he'll have it for at least 3 months" deal. It helps the matches have unpredictable finishes. Brock is a "monster" and this is a sign of him showing weakness. Are weak monsters good? No. P.S- It was retarded when Brock made Angle his bitch and it's retarded now. Can these two ever meet in the middle? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest wildpegasus Report post Posted September 14, 2003 Quote Lord of the Curry So, Brock tapping out was a good thing for his charactor? WP-It seemed to me that ANgle meant that Brock tapping out allowed him to go insane and establish a monster gimmick. Brock himself still can't believe he tapped out and it drives him mentally insane. The crowd chanting "you tapped out" adds to this fire. Hence the beating of Zack. You have to remember though that Angle was probably talking with WWE rose tinted glasses on which equals only talking about the positive side of things and not the negatives. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest thrall585 Report post Posted September 14, 2003 A team of Cena and Angle would suck. Angle's character doesn't go with Cena's at all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2003 What do you mean it wasn'ty the Warrior speaking? Angle admitted that at SummerSlam, Brock Lesnar was suppose to win the title, but Brock didn't want it to happen. Woah, freaky Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Quote Lord of the Curry So, Brock tapping out was a good thing for his charactor? WP-It seemed to me that ANgle meant that Brock tapping out allowed him to go insane and establish a monster gimmick. Brock himself still can't believe he tapped out and it drives him mentally insane. The crowd chanting "you tapped out" adds to this fire. Hence the beating of Zack. You have to remember though that Angle was probably talking with WWE rose tinted glasses on which equals only talking about the positive side of things and not the negatives. Ok. Fine. Super. But he's a MONSTER HEEL and MONSTER HEELS don't tap out. That is my point. Tap him out all you want, just make it mean something. Can somebody tell me the last time a main event heel tapped out? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Can somebody tell me the last time a main event heel tapped out? Undertaker on SD July 4th, 2002 immediately comes to mind Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest deadbeater Report post Posted September 15, 2003 'Monsters' are not appealing if they are invulnerable. Warrior for example. Some of the great monsters in history tap out to vulnerabilities. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord of The Curry 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Can somebody tell me the last time a main event heel tapped out? Undertaker on SD July 4th, 2002 immediately comes to mind I wouldn't exactly count that, being that the match ended in a No Decison. Let me rephrase: When was the last time a main event heel tapped out that ended in a win for the face? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Interesting question, my mind is blank on an answer to this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChick 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Can somebody tell me the last time a main event heel tapped out? Undertaker on SD July 4th, 2002 immediately comes to mind I wouldn't exactly count that, being that the match ended in a No Decison. Let me rephrase: When was the last time a main event heel tapped out that ended in a win for the face? I think Benoit beat Angle with the crossface in a tag team match of some sort before RR. Maybe not though, but I do seem to remember Angle tapping to Benoit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mulatto Heat Report post Posted September 15, 2003 No, Benoit was DQed for not letting go of the crossface when Angle was not the legal man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChick 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Damn. Well, never mind then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 This question boggles the mind... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChick 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Here's a better question: when's the last time ANY maineventer tapped cleanly? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Did Big Show tap to Taker at NWO? Of course, that wasn't in the main event... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Well, technically, he didn't tap out, he "passed out" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Askewniverse Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Let me rephrase: When was the last time a main event heel tapped out that ended in a win for the face? Flair beat Jericho with the figure-four at SummerSlam 2002. Here's a better question: when's the last time ANY maineventer tapped cleanly? Angle beat Benoit cleanly with a heel hook at Royal Rumble 2003. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insane Bump Machine 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Ok. Fine. Super. But he's a MONSTER HEEL and MONSTER HEELS don't tap out. That is my point. Tap him out all you want, just make it mean something. Him tapping out is constantly brought up on TV in interviews, promos and by the commentators. It's treated as a big deal. It triggered his current crazy heel persona. It lead to Brock's assault of Zach Gowan and in consequence to Gowan's absence from WWE shows. It gave the fans a new chant. It's a storyline based on something that happened IN THE RING DURING A MATCH, which is something many of us want to see instead of feuds over shampoo, spilled coffee, sex with business associates etc. It put Kurt Angle and his submission finisher over big time. Oh, and it leads to one of the biggest free TV matches in WWE history this week on Smackdown (if Brock isn't seriously injured) where they can build on the fact that Brock fears the Ankle Lock over the course of an Iron Man Match.. Yeah, that tapout meant nothing... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Austin3164life 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Angle and Cena as a tag team? That'd be a retarded combination. Like someone said their characters do not mesh well at all. I'd rather see them feuding actually. Then it would make more sense (Cena: guy with no respect, arrogance vs. Angle: the rising legend). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest thrall585 Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Flair beat Jericho with the figure-four at SummerSlam 2002. Jericho wasn't a main event heel then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Wow, an Angle/Cena team would suck beyond belief. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted September 15, 2003 Angle and Cena as a tag team? That'd be a retarded combination. Like someone said their characters do not mesh well at all. I'd rather see them feuding actually. Then it would make more sense (Cena: guy with no respect, arrogance vs. Angle: the rising legend). A feud between them would likely help no one and hurt one or both. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites