Kurt Angle Interview

[haVoc 0]

Kurt covers all the Angles By THE LILSBOYS

 

WHO is the greatest professional wrestler alive today?

 

It's the debate on most fans lips and here to make the case for four-time WWE champion Kurt Angle is, erm, Kurt Angle.

 

In the first part of our exclusive interview with the 1996 Olympic gold medallist, Kurt told us about the classic matches and unique style that he feels make him the best in the business.

 

And who are we to disagree with the man who can have a good match with anyone and had some of our favourite bouts of all time with opponents ranging from Chris Benoit and Edge to Brock Lesnar and Shane McMahon.

 

In our chat, Kurt revealed why he wants to add The Undertaker to that list of classic battles – at next year's WrestleMania.

 

The star also told us how he hated being Smackdown's general manager and has toned down his in-ring antics to make sure he's never out with injury again.

 

So read on to get inside the head of Kurt Angle, and find out how you can see him live in the UK next month at wwe.com.

 

 

Hi Kurt, great to have you back wrestling again after your neck injury. Who do you rate as the best grappler in the business?

 

Honestly, when I'm healthy, I believe I'm the best in the world.

 

People call me the "new era Ric Flair" and to be compared to Ric makes me ecstatic.

 

I think Triple H, Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero are some of the best wrestlers around, and Randy Orton and Edge are coming on very well.

 

Then there are the big guys who are very impressive, like Undertaker and Big Show.

 

There are also guys that aren't usually mentioned, because they're not accepted main eventers, who are top workers - like Christian and Jamie Noble.

 

But when it comes down to it I don't think anybody has as much technique, credibility and charisma as I do – I have the whole package.

 

 

You've had so many memorable matches – which one stands out as your favourite?

 

My match with Chris Benoit at the Royal Rumble in 2003 was the best I've ever had.

 

When you watch it you realise that here are two guys who legitimately know how to wrestle.

 

We didn't have to throw a lot of punches, hit the ropes or do loads of high spots.

 

We wrestled in the middle of the ring for 40 minutes and had the fans biting their nails and on the edge of their seats.

 

A lot of people think you have to fly off the top rope and do crazy stuff to get people interested, but Chris and I simply wrestled and had the best match of the year and possibly one of the best matches ever.

 

I also loved my match with Eddie Guerrero at this year's SummerSlam - we hit the ropes once and I punched Eddie twice.

 

My whole psychology is different to other people's – I believe in wrestling, not high spots and fighting.

 

I believe if you were really wrestling someone then you're not going to run and fly around, you're going to go after the guy and pin him.

 

 

How have you been feeling since getting back in the ring?

 

I'm always going to have neck pain but I'm feeling better right now than I did before I injured my neck the first time.

 

I'm going to be around for a long while to come and I'm also going to be a lot smarter about what I do in the ring.

 

I'm not going to change my style drastically, but I am going to avoid anything unnecessary like taking chair shots to the head.

 

Guys like Eddie Guerrero and myself are starting to bring the wrestling back into entertainment, so you're seeing a lot more real moves and holds.

 

We got to a point in the WWE where everything was a high spot and everything was a finish. That style doesn't tell the fans a good story.

 

Now I think we're a lot more exciting to watch as we pick our moments to do those things and it works better.

 

 

So are you happy at the move away from TLC style high-risk matches to a more old school way of wrestling?

 

Yes, I think it should be that way. The WWE will never be completely old school, as we're always going to have some kind of edge, but as long as we stick to those roots we'll be OK.

 

Put it this way, 15 years ago there weren't 10 guys out with neck injuries and there's a reason for that.

 

We do things in the ring that most bodies aren't capable of doing. Even in American football they don't have as many neck injuries as we do.

 

So we need to look back and ask: "Why is this happening and what we can do to change things?"

 

When Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock were on top we were just getting to that point where things started getting out of hand.

 

Then Steve had to get the first neck surgery. Before then, business was great and people weren't getting those injuries.

 

But I think what happened was a lot of the guys here at the time felt that they had to prove themselves, even me, and we were all taking risks.

 

I'll give you an example. I had a cage match with Chris Benoit two and a half years ago. In that bout I did a moonsault off the top of the cage and Chris did his flying head BUTT from up there too.

 

He also hit me with a German suplex from the top rope right onto the back of my head. That was worse than anything and when I watch the match back I cringe. That sort of match can end someone's career and maybe even their life.

 

I can't believe I did that and you'll never see me do it again - I rob the fans when I'm out with an injury.

 

 

When you were injured between WrestleMania and SummerSlam you were kept on screen as Smackdown's general manager – did you enjoy that role?

 

No, I didn't like anything about my job!

 

I know Vince McMahon wanted to keep me on TV – as I have a strong character – but there was not one thing I enjoyed about being general manager of Smackdown.

 

They gave me a character where I was supposed to be very angry with everybody, and I felt I was painted into a corner where I didn't have many dimensions.

 

My forte is being a mixture of funny, intense and serious, and I wasn't able to portray all those things as general manager.

 

I felt we could have had a lot more fun by having John Cena and Eddie Guerrero making a fool out of me and being able to play off of that.

 

I understand Vince was trying to protect me but at the same time I felt it meant I wasn't giving fans the best of what I could do.

 

My frustration also had a lot to do with watching all the guys bust their butts and feeling like I wasn't contributing the way I wanted to because I couldn't wrestle.

 

If Vince asked me to be general manager again I'd probably say no.

 

 

You beat Eddie at SummerSlam and in a two out of three falls match on Smackdown – does that mean your feud is now over?

 

With Eddie it will never be over! I think Angle v Guerrero is a match people will always want to see.

 

Eddie and I have great chemistry and respect, and also something special that goes beyond that.

 

I think what makes our matches so special is that there's a competitive edge between us.

 

The TV storyline about 'who is the better wrestler' sounds fake, but we took our real life quarrel and it turned it into an angle.

 

For us it's not about who wins the most matches, but who really is the best wrestler in the whole world.

 

In most fans eyes, and ours, Raw is currently a better show than Smackdown. What can your team do to turn the tide back the other way?

 

I think we are already getting better than Raw, it's just that right now they have more notoriety names.

 

But does Raw have better wrestlers – hell no!

 

Guys like John Cena, Luther Reigns, Mark Jindrak and Charlie Haas are really going to start stepping up for us and Booker T is on the verge of superstar status.

 

We only have one Kurt Angle, one Undertaker and one Eddie Guerrero – so it's our job to take these guys and make stars out of them.

 

 

Who do you want to face at WrestleMania 21?

 

I would love to do a programme with The Undertaker, as we haven't done anything solid for about three years.

 

I know the fans want to see new guys coming in – and Smackdown is all about creating new superstars for them to cheer or boo – so Undertaker and I will do our share of making other wrestlers into stars.

 

But I think at an event like WrestleMania it should be the two biggest names going at it.

 

And right now the two people on the top of their games are me and The Undertaker, so I'd like to face him and he feels the same way.

 

Undertaker has competed at 12 WrestleManias and I think what he wants now is a classic match that he can look back on and say, "I did it". I honestly believe in my heart that I can give him that kind of match.

 

I know he's undefeated at Mania but I don't lie down for anybody!

 

 

You had a classic feud with fellow amateur wrestler turned WWE champion Brock Lesnar. What was he like to work with and what are your feelings about him turning his back on wrestling to try out for the NFL?

 

Brock adjusted to wrestling very quickly, although he doesn't know his own strength. He actually injured my neck twice!

 

Once was at No Way Out last year when he threw me backwards into the turnbuckle and the second time was with a chair shot to the head.

 

Although Brock took care of his opponents he was a monster, and that's why I think he'll always be successful in whatever he does.

 

He'll do well in American football, although I also think he'll come back to the WWE some day.

 

It hurt when Brock left as we were best friends and, at that point, we were also carrying the company.

 

It seemed like Raw was getting more of the talent and Smackdown had all the young guys, with Brock and I holding things together along with Big Show and Undertaker.

 

Then I got hurt, Brock quit and Show got injured and I thought, "oh no, we're in trouble now".

 

However I also wanted Brock to be happy and he wasn't. But I think one day he'll remember that old saying – "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone".

 

We call each other periodically, but we've not spoken since he got cut from the Minnesota Vikings football team as I figured I should give him some space.

 

I'm sure other teams are interested in him, although he'll have to wait until next year, and if he's smart he'll go and play football in Europe.

 

Or if he was smarter he'd come back to the WWE!

 

 

Finally, can you settle a long running argument between The LilsBoys – are they your real gold medals we see on WWE TV every week?

 

No, I don't use my real gold medals. They're on display in my office.

 

I have taken them on the road in the past, but one time I had them stolen and I've used replica medals since.

 

The people who took them thought they were stealing a bag full of T-shirts, but when they realised my medals were in there they brought them back.

 

 

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2003560...4440502,00.html

[Guest Loss]

Kurt is certainly turning into someone who is believing his own press. And I love the line about building new stars, while in the same breath pointing out that he and Taker will still be the biggest stars at Mania. I totally understand why he has the heat he has.

[PLAGIARISM! 0]

He can start selling if he wants to be the best in the world.

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

He *is* a hall of famer, guys, and probably made it in the quickest amount of time too.

[Brett Favre 0]

As far as total package wrestlers today in the WWE go...

 

1. Chris Jericho

2. Eddie Guerrero

3. Kurt Angle

 

Well, IMO. He's above his head, but not by much.

[haVoc 0]

And he's crazy if he thinks Smackdown is better then Raw. It's up for debate with roster has the most talented guys.

[Nevermortal 0]

omg angle iz the new trips!111111!1!!

[vermilion 0]

Guys like John Cena, Luther Reigns, Mark Jindrak and Charlie Haas are really going to start stepping up for us and Booker T is on the verge of superstar status.

 

This is his reasoning for saying SmackDown! has better wrestlers? Charlie Haas is very good but the other 3 suck ass in the ring. The last line is pretty funny as well. I mean, Booker T is like 40 and has been around at least twice as long as Angle. To say he's on the verge when he's clearly at the end of his career is a joke.

 

This interview has to be at least partially kayfabe. There is no way Angle can honestly believe he's half as good as he says. Before all the neck stuff, he was definitely up there. I agree with PLAGARISM! though, he can't sell for shit. He's very good in matches with very good wrestlers. When has he ever taken a bad wrestler and made him look good? (I'm honestly asking)

[SamoaRowe 0]

^^ No kidding. Booker T has been a genuine superstar longer than Kurt Angle has even been in the WWE.

[Guest thebigjig]

When has he ever taken a bad wrestler and made him look good? (I'm honestly asking)

John Cena

[frisco 0]

I personally agree with Angle. I think he's the best talent on Smackdown and definately one of the best in all of wrestling.

[KTID 0]

Then you're both nuts.

[Detox 0]

When has he ever taken a bad wrestler and made him look good? (I'm honestly asking)

 

 

 

He also got a very good match out of Shane McMahon at KOTR 2001

[The Decemberists 0]

Personally I'd put him level with Eddie at the moment - but pre-neck injuries he fucking owned.

 

But the whole making stars thing is a joke.

[benoit4hor 0]

Is it because of the recent "backstage politics" thing that former "smark darling" Kurt Angle isn't one of the best now?

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

I think Triple H, Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero are some of the best wrestlers around, and Randy Orton and Edge are coming on very well.

"3 of these things are not like the others..."

 

There are also guys that aren't usually mentioned, because they're not accepted main eventers, who are top workers - like Christian and Jamie Noble.

Awesome.

[Guest Mickey Al]

"My whole psychology is different to other people's – I believe in wrestling, not high spots and fighting.

 

I believe if you were really wrestling someone then you're not going to run and fly around, you're going to go after the guy and pin him."

 

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[KTID 0]

Is it because of the recent "backstage politics" thing that former "smark darling" Kurt Angle isn't one of the best now?

 

No, it's because he isn't one of the best.

[Nevermortal 0]

^^ No kidding. Booker T has been a genuine superstar longer than Kurt Angle has even been in the WWE.

HA

[MillenniumMan831 0]

Being the company man he is, I find it pretty amusing that WWE Champion JBL doesn't even get a little pat on the back by Kurt for being an 'improved wrestler and tremendous performer'. Not saying he is, but I'm surprised Angle didn't so much as mention the champ.

[what 0]

Grrrrrr. I really hate Kurt Angle now because of this kayfabed interview

[benoit4hor 0]

Speaking of Kayfabe, it's the password for Wrestlemania tickets.

 

Flair's gonna be so pissed he wont even be able to drink himself through a *** match.

[CanadianChick 0]

At least he knew that his GM character was awful too.

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

I think Kurt Angle is trying to say Booker T is gonna get pushed soon.

 

Atleast I hope so.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Who do you want to face at WrestleMania 21?

 

I would love to do a programme with The Undertaker, as we haven't done anything solid for about three years.

FUCK!

[Lt. Al Giardello 0]

I would rather see a Cena Vs. Eddie Guerrero Vs. Angle 3 way.

[Guest BDC]

Who do you want to face at WrestleMania 21?

 

I would love to do a programme with The Undertaker, as we haven't done anything solid for about three years.

FUCK!

[Lord of The Curry 0]

Who do you want to face at WrestleMania 21?

 

I would love to do a programme with The Undertaker, as we haven't done anything solid for about three years.

FUCK!

What's the fucking issue here? Their match on SD kicked 134 different types of ass.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

Cena and/or Eddie should be in the title match instead.

 

Edit: And I don't want Undertaker's streak to be ended by Angle of all people.

[Promoter 0]

I didn't really see much wrong with Angle's opinions although I don't agree with some of them. Angle/Taker is what he's pushing for Mania 21? Why? Maybe he wants to end his winning streak which I concur would not be a good idea. He doesn't need that kind of rub and Taker should keep the streak for Mania trivia purposes(at one point I wanted someone to end it, but not now*Orton legend killer heel persona would have been a possibility). Vince stated that Mania will once again be raw vs. smackdown and I would think Angle would want to face off against someone like Shawn Michaels on raw. Maybe just maybe there is a reason he has not asked for this type of match. Call me crazy, but I think HBK was much better in his prime than Angle ever was. Angle called out Bret, but not Flair or HBK?