Guest Report post Posted May 9, 2002 Update On Kurt Angle's 2004 Olympics Involvement Kurt Angle is expected to decide by the end of the year whether or not he wants to compete in the 2004 Olympic Games. If he does decide to compete, the WWF will sponsor him and continue to pay him his downside guarantee even while he is gone. Interestingly enough, Angle started thinking about the 2004 games after he defeating Brock Lesnar in an impromptu amateur match a few months ago. Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter; RajahWWF.com --------------------------------------------------------- NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Him, Christian, Jericho & Storm are the 3 main reasons I watch Smackdown, Damnit! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Austin3164life Report post Posted May 9, 2002 This could be both really good and really bad for Angle. The really good aspect about it is, if he does win any medal--whether it be gold, silver, or bronze--it could be another big marketing plus for when he returns to the WWE. Plus it could give mainstream audiences an incentive to watch (a WWE wrestler just won an Olympic medal). The bad thing is if he loses in the first couple of matches and comes home without a medal, then many people will say he wasted his time with the Olympics. Personally, I think it's his choice, but I wouldn't mind seeing Angle compete in Athens..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted May 9, 2002 I'm not sure if I agree with what I'm going to say or not, but just hypothetically speaking... Do the risks associated with Angle going for the gold again outweight the possible benefits? If Angle comes home with anything less than a gold medal he could come off looking like a has-been... past his prime... a Hulk Hogan, if you will. It could also put a stigma out there that the WWF Athletes aren't up to competing with "real" athletes. Also, is the risk for injury worth it? In the WWF, accidents happen, but are probably less likey than in a REAL wrestling match. I know he got hurt REALLY badly training for the 96 games. Sure, if he wins the gold again it would be a great opportunity for him, the WWE, and amateur wrestling... but if he doesn't compete at all, he's still the Olympic Gold medalist. If he loses he becomes the Gold Medalist who tried again and came up short (and not because of a Shane McMahon run in) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted May 9, 2002 I have mixed feelings about this. I really enjoy watching Kurt wrestle, and I think that he'd obviously have to take time off to train for this. So he'd miss lot of TV time. Which would really suck. On the other hand, if they were to do it right, and the WWE does sponsor him. I'm sure they would show videos of him training and keep us up to date on it. I think that if he really did take the appropriate amount of time off to train that he could really do it. Either way, I'll be cheering for him. That's right, a Canadian rooting for an American in the Olympics. How about that?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest buffybeast Report post Posted May 9, 2002 If Angle goes to the 2004 Olympics and wins anything less than gold his WWF character will be permanently ruined. I can't tell him what to do. But the chances of a 33, 34 year old man to come in and win a gold medal is slim, IMO. I think this would be a big mistake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Hogan Made Wrestling Report post Posted May 9, 2002 I think his character could still work. People could bitch him out about how he lost, and he could complain about how it was unfair or fixed or some nonsense to get heel heat. I think Angle's biggest problems will come from having to get used to the amateur style again, and then having to get used to the pro style once that's done. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted May 9, 2002 I don't wanna see the guy go, either, but I woudn't blame him if he did. And if Angle goes through with this, he should be allowed one more title run before his send off. A serious run, too; not the Chickenshit Champion from his first reign, nor the insignificant second reign. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest phoenixrising Report post Posted May 9, 2002 He could also keep pimping his 1996 Olympic win to the fans and maybe blame the fans for him losing the gold. I don't think a loss would hurt his character. Kurt said in the book that he actually gets more beat up by the constant pounding in the WWF ring than when he was an amateur...so I have to wonder how the pounding will affect his speed which was the one of the reasons he was so good as an amateur. He credits his Olympic success to his stamina, and stamina can't be helped by being thrown around in the ring every night (and I don't think that moonsault off the cage helped either). I figured this hair v. hair match would lead to Kurt's leaving - instead of getting his hair cut he finds a way out by saying he's going to train for the Olympics. I would think he'd have to leave soon though if he wants to start training - especially with that insane training regimen he had for the '96 games. I hope Kurt does try out for the 2004 Olympics and that he wins the gold...it would be a hell of an accomplishment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest What?! Report post Posted May 9, 2002 I want to see him go. It's not like they're doing anything to make him stay. And if he doesn't win gold, it's not all lost. Faces could go "Haha! You didn't win gold" only to be destroyed by a pissed off Angle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest cobainwasmurdered Report post Posted May 9, 2002 I Don't ant to see him go because I'd rather see him in the wwf. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
