10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Nov 4)

5. Kurt Angle Hand-Picked His Independent Opponents To Prepare For A WWE Return

Kurt Angle Joe Hendry
Oli Sandler / The Ringside Perspective

Surprising almost everyone, the fact that Kurt Angle hasn't yet returned to WWE since departing in 2006 is shocking. Eerily, Angle has actually been out of the promotion for longer than he was ever in it, which is a truly sobering thought. Still, the 'Olympic Hero' has made no secret of his wish to launch a comeback.

Appearing on The Steve Austin Show, Kurt opened up to reveal something many wrestling fans won't know.

Throughout his various appearances on the independent circuit since leaving TNA, Angle has faced the likes of Cody Rhodes, Joe Hendry, and will soon tangle with Alberto El Patron and Joe Coffey. Two of those bouts took place in WCPW, and it seems that Angle himself decided to hand-pick his opponents. In fascinating fashion, Kurt picked out these men because he knew they could bring the best out in him between the ropes.

Furthermore, Angle told Austin he did this because he wants to prove to WWE that he still has something to offer. That's pretty eye-opening: Angle sees value in every match.

Note: Watch the historic Kurt Angle vs. Cody Rhodes match from True Legacy from today on https://whatculture.com/extra

Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.