10 Ways Wrestlers' Bodies Changed Forever Because Of Wrestling

4. Kurt Angle's Arms

Kofi Kingston
ImpactWrestling.com

Though he retired a broken shell of the performer he used to be, that Kurt Angle was able to maintain a high-level professional wrestling career for over two decades is remarkable considering the damage done to his body before and during his run.

The "broken freakin' neck" around which Angle based so many of his promos was a hindrance beyond the obvious impact on his frame. In 1996, he briefly became addicted to Vicodin will dealing with the issues and he, like many before him, has suffered noticeable muscle atrophy whenever further neck complications arose - particularly during his TNA run.

In 2007 and 2008, Angle's arm muscles looked as though they had degenerated. This was almost certainly a byproduct of his inability to build mass, sustain mass, and work out while his neck was giving him difficulty, with the break restricting the blood flow to his triceps. Thus, Kurt's arms almost appeared shrunken, with the 'Olympic Hero' forced to work them out twice a week in order to boost their appearance, though he was always swimming against the atrophied tide.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.