Kurt Angle Reflects on His TNA Wrestling Career

Kurt Angle, renowned for his successful WWE career, is celebrated for securing six world titles and becoming a Grand Slam champion. His entry into WWE was bolstered by his Olympic gold medal, a testament to his skill. Angle’s prowess continued in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he captured six world championships, two tag team titles, and an X Division title during his decade-long tenure.

In a conversation with OutKick Dropkick, Angle shared that his career in TNA was arguably more fulfilling. He expressed regret that many WWE fans missed witnessing his TNA performances. Although TNA maintained a solid global following, particularly before AEW’s emergence, WWE retained dominance in the U.S.

Angle showcased remarkable matches against wrestlers like Abyss, Samoa Joe, and A.J. Styles in TNA. For WWE fans unfamiliar with his TNA work, he recommended watching his matches with Joe and Styles. During discussions with Gambling.com, Angle highlighted his debut match against Samoa Joe, suggesting it occurred around the Bound for Glory event. He praised Joe’s physicality and Styles’s athleticism, noting their compatibility despite differing styles.

The King of the Mountain matches were a distinctive feature in TNA, with Angle winning two of them. This unique match required competitors to hang a title belt on a hook above the cage, reversing the typical ladder match format.

Kurt Angle commented on the absence of these matches in WWE, stating, “I’m surprised it hasn’t already. WWE got really creative at a certain point…TNA was always very creative with their pay-per-views.”

Having been inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2013, Angle is part of an esteemed list including Sting, Jeff Jarrett, and others. At the upcoming Bound for Glory event, TNA will induct ODB, Amazing Red, and Konnan.

Ryan Gaydos, senior editor for Fox News Digital, contributed insights to this discussion.