10 Most Intense Performers In Wrestling History

6. Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle Shawn Michaels Taboo Tuesday 2005
WWE.com

Kurt Angle famously boasted of his intensity in his initial WWF marketing slogan, and it wasn't the typical bluster ingrained in Vince McMahon's carny DNA. Angle's legitimacy was symbolised by, not limited to, the Olympic gold medal strung around his broken freakin' neck.

Informed by his amateur leanings, Angle's in-ring work was instantly credible, but it was the execution of those moves which warrants inclusion here. Picture Ken Shamrock's application of the ankle lock. Shamrock was an intense performer in his own right, but his gurning body language was rendered hammy in comparison with Angle's. Jack Swagger adopted the move when Angle departed for TNA, but it was an unwise decision. The similarities between the two men were obvious - but shining too bright a light on them just underlined the extent to which Angle left Swagger in the dark.

Angle's intensity was tangible - transgressive, even. At No Way Out 2001, during his unsuccessful WWF Heavyweight Title defence against The Rock, he ensnared him his signature move, his veins bulging from his neck. "Yeah! Woo! Come on, Rocky!" he shouted, deep in the throes of jock testosterone. "Tap out, you son of a b*tch!" Do it now! I'll break your f*cking ankle!"

Angle's competitive drive was legendary. His intensity was such that he wrestled through agony at both amateur and professional level.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!