10 Saddest TNA Departures

2. Kurt Angle

Perhaps the most exciting time in the history of TNA was when Kurt Angle joined them. Up to that point, the company had been built around aging WCW and WWE stars, the ones that Vince McMahon had no use for anymore. Then Angle came in, and brought with him a level of buzz theyd never experienced.

Now, Angle only joined the company because he refused to take a drug test in WWE. But most fans were either unaware of that, or willing to overlook it. Kurt was still Kurt, perhaps the best wrestler in the entire industry. From 2006 to 2015, he probably had more screen time than any other wrestler in TNA. He was relied on to carry lengthy matches (many of them great), and cut a ton of promos. He was everywhere, and filled a variety of roles from Heavyweight Champion, to respected legend, to authority figure.

When many of the first big names started leaving TNA, Kurt hung around. He was a former WWE main eventer who still had something to give, giving the company needed credibility. After Sting took off, he was the biggest mainstream name they had left. Then, after a retirement tour, he too called it a career in TNA. Losing his star power, and his strong recognition with the company, has helped damaged the brand more so than its ever been.