10 Wrestlers Who Became WWE Champion The Quickest
9. Kurt Angle (343 Days)
It’s hard to think of anyone who adapted to professional wrestling as quickly as Kurt Angle. The Olympic Gold Medalist is the most decorated amateur wrestler in the sport’s history, and this gave him a perfect athletic and grappling base to build upon. His skill extended far beyond that, however: Angle’s mic skills and character work were A+ from day one, making him a true professional wrestling natural.
Angle had an incredible first year with WWE. Debuting in November 1999, he quickly became one of the company’s most loathed heels, and fans were praying for his demise by the time he wrestled Tazz at the 2000 Royal Rumble. The American Hero was a huge hit, and after a spell as WWE’s “Eurocontinental Champion,” Kurt entered the main event title hunt.
He won King of the Ring later that year, then became involved in an awkward love triangle with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. After overcoming The Game, Angle went after The Rock’s WWE Championship, and after a botched Rikishi interference, Kurt became the first person to win both an Olympic Gold medal and the WWE Championship at No Mercy.
It was a hugely impressive accomplishment for a rookie pro-wrestler, and Angle would remain a prominent figure in WWE throughout his run. Some wrestlers get pushed to the top too quickly, but not Kurt: his first main event charge was the making of him, and he’s rightly regarded as one of the all-time greats.