10 Wrestlers Who Turned Down WWE Contracts

10. Kurt Angle

Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle might be a WWE Hall of Famer and bonafide professional wrestling legend now, but there was a time when even the thought of entering the industry was totally anathema to his legitimate athletic sensibilities.

Angle's initial flirtations with the business left a sour taste, when, disgusted by a crucifixion angle involving Raven and The Sandman, he walked out on an ECW taping in 1996. As far as he was concerned, wrestling was beneath him - and the Philly incident did little change his tune.

Nor did Vince McMahon's offer of a 10-year WWE contract shortly after his Atlanta triumph. Angle considered his pedigree put him on a pedestal above all the professional fakes, and - medal in tow - told Vince it'd be unrealistic if he lost any matches. "He looked at me like I was crazy," Angle later recalled. McMahon didn't call back, and it'd be two years before Kurt finally put his pomposity to one side.