10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Jan 20)
1. Kurt Angle Told Vince McMahon He Couldn't Lose In 1996
A hot property in the Summer of 1996, Kurt Angle's Gold Medal win at the Olympic Games in Atlanta had everyone talking. In the pro wrestling world, Angle was courted by the likes of ECW and the WWF. Meeting with Vince McMahon shortly after his Olympic triumph, Kurt couldn't come to terms with the promotion.
Appearing on Lilian Garcia's Making Their Way To The Ring podcast, Angle revealed how brazen he was to McMahon's face during initial negotiations. Having never really watched pro wrestling, Kurt told the single most powerful man in the WWF that he couldn't lose if he signed a deal.
Telling the wrestler to go home and study the contract, McMahon didn't contact Angle again. Years later, it was Kurt who got in touch with the WWF, primarily to ask if the same deal was on the table. It wasn't, but McMahon said Angle could sign on to try out with the company.
Unintentionally, Kurt had shot himself in the foot with his lack of knowledge about how pro wrestling works. Thankfully, things worked out for him in the long run.
What other big wrestling facts did you learn this week? Let us know your thoughts down in the comments section below!