10 Best Rookie Years In WWE History
2. Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle is the very definition of a “natural.” The 1996 Olympic Gold medalist had undergone very little pro-wrestling training prior to signing with WWE in 1998, and spent just five months in the company’s Power Pro Wrestling developmental territory prior to being called up.
Debuting as a proud, flag-waving patriot on an episode of Sunday Night Heat, Angle quickly became one of WWE’s most hated villains. An arrogant, condescending motormouth, his “American Hero” persona was an unqualified success. Angle wasn’t just an outstanding technical wrestler, but an excellent mic worker who understood how to hold an audience in the palm of his hand, and his first “intensity, integrity, and intelligence” promo remains one of WWE’s all-time greatest.
After embarking on a lengthy undefeated streak that ended at Tazz’s hands at the 2000 Royal Rumble, Angle became a double champion one month later. Taking Chris Jericho’s Intercontinental title and Val Venis’ European belt, and while he’d only hold onto them for little more than a month, his “Eurocontinental” reign more than established him as a future main eventer.
It took Angle’s second year for him to capture the WWE Championship, but he was well on his way by the end of his first. With his Olympic pedigree, smarmy attitude, and uncanny ability to get under the audience’s skin, Kurt Angle’s rookie year made him both a heat magnet and an international megastar.