10 Terrifying Transformations Caused By Wrestling

1. Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle
WWE.com

A not-very-nice nickname sprung up for Kurt Angle thanks to the former Olympian's particularly psychopathic TNA performances in the late-2000s, but it has taken on a bizarrely affectionate tone over time in tribute to some one-of-a-kind displays from the 'Wrestling Machine'.

"Perc Angle" was presumably concocted in the most upvoted corner of a forum somewhere to describe the frenzied aura, physical appearance and chaotic working style of the former WWE Champion during his peak years in the Impact Zone, named in honour (?) of the medication he was allegedly struggling with an addiction to.

He did look a little different from almost every version of his WWE self - the TNA Angle wasn't going to be supping milk nor spouting platitudes about the "Three I's" - but the label did trivialise an issue he was legitimately struggling with.

Kurt's story has one of the happier conclusions, but an otherwise awesome run in the 2000s North American alternative will always come with an asterisk.

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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett