10 Best Kurt Angle Matches Since He Left WWE
2. Angle Vs. Samoa Joe - Turning Point 2006
Angle vs. Joe was an absolute dream match. When Angle first went to TNA, it's the match everyone wanted to see. TNA rushed right into it at Genesis 2006, and...it was a bit of a letdown. Within 14 minutes, Angle made the TNA original tap out. It was far short of the classic the fans were expecting. Luckily, the next month they delivered.
In the rematch, the two were given the time to create something special. They battled out of each other’s submission attempts, and teased a series of increasingly believable nearfalls. Surprisingly, Angle acted a bit heelish, landing a low-blow on Joe and attempted to hit him with a chair, only to see it backfire in spectacular fashion when he hit the ropes and bashed himself in the head.
Angle found himself locked in the rear-naked choke. He desperately tried to grab at Joe for an ankle lock, but was unable to, leaving him no choice but to tap. It was great match with a brilliant finishing sequence, and delivered the cathartic feeling of watching TNA's best finally defeat one of WWE's best.