Kurt Angle Reflects on Wrestling Career in WWE and TNA

Kurt Angle is widely recognized for his time in WWE, where he won six world titles and became the fifth Grand Slam champion in the company’s history. He entered WWE with an Olympic gold medal, showcasing his outstanding credentials. However, for those following pro wrestling closely, Angle also made a significant impact in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), securing six world championships, two tag team championships, and an X Division title during his nearly ten-year career there.

In a conversation on OutKick Dropkick, Angle shared his belief that he had a ‘better career’ in TNA. He remarked, ‘I had an incredible career in both WWE and TNA and I believe that I had a better career in TNA. Unfortunately, a lot of those WWE fans didn’t get to see it.’

Angle’s performances in TNA against stars like Abyss, Samoa Joe, and A.J. Styles were noteworthy. To WWE fans unfamiliar with his TNA work, he recommended watching his matches against Samoa Joe and A.J. Styles. Regarding his debut match against Samoa Joe at Bound for Glory, Angle commented, ‘We had a banger of a match, and I enjoyed working with both of them. Joe was physical, and AJ was athletic.’

Angle highlighted the synergy between Joe’s ground-and-pound style and his freestyle wrestling. He also noted how Styles’ agility complemented their matches.

During his tenure in TNA, Angle won two King of the Mountain matches, a unique contest where competitors work to hang a title belt on a hook above a cage, effectively a reverse ladder match. He expressed surprise that WWE had not adopted such innovative match types, stating, ‘WWE got really creative at a certain point, and it would be great to see them use those concepts.’

In 2013, Angle was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame, joining a group that includes Sting, Jeff Jarrett, Gail Kim, and Mickie James, among others. TNA plans to induct ODB, Amazing Red, and Konnan at the Bound for Glory pay-per-view in October.