10 Things We Learned From Kurt Angle On Vince Russo's Podcast

5. Angle Almost Went Into MMA

Kurt Angle 2002
ImpactWrestling.com

Before heading into the crazy world of professional wrestling, Kurt Angle toyed with the idea of joining the UFC and diving into mixed martial arts. In the meantime he was training at an MMA gym, the Pittsburgh Fight Club, and it was the 'real' side of MMA that tempted him.

Angle actually entered into discussions with the UFC, although it was a completely different beast at the time. Dana White wasn't involved, and the vice-president at the time (who remained nameless) put the offer on the table.

Kurt was offered $150,000 for 10 fights, and he immediately turned it down. This was the biggest contract the UFC were offering at the time, but the prospect of getting his botty booted for just $15,000 a fight didn't particularly appeal to Kurt.

MMA's loss was pro wrestling's gain.

Contributor
Contributor

Born in the middle of Wales in the middle of the 1980's, John can't quite remember when he started watching wrestling but he has a terrible feeling that Dino Bravo was involved. Now living in Prague, John spends most of his time trying to work out how Tomohiro Ishii still stands upright. His favourite wrestler of all time is Dean Malenko, but really it is Repo Man. He is the author of 'An Illustrated History of Slavic Misery', the best book about the Slavic people that you haven't yet read. You can get that and others from www.poshlostbooks.com.