Hall Of Famer Went To WWE To "Start His Acting Career"
Former World Champ reveals he wanted WWE to be a stepping stone into Hollywood.
Kurt Angle planned to use WWE as a stepping stone to Hollywood and acting success.
The multi-time World Champion told listeners on his podcast: "Part of the reason why I went to WWE was to start my acting career". The Olympian was already exploring some opportunities in TV and film before signing on the dotted line for the company in 1998 anyway, but he figured the then-WWF's worldwide exposure could only help him.
Kurt had a fun story to tell on the pod about visiting a psychic who told him not to head out to LA and "waste [his] money from the Olympics". Angle followed that advice and decided to rethink his strategy - that meant getting back in touch with WWE and seeing if they had a spot for him.
Bruce Prichard has previously revealed that original talks broke down between both sides in 1996 when Kurt said he couldn't lose matches. That obviously wasn't going to work, so Vince McMahon ended negotiations. Angle ended up inking a (far less lucrative) developmental deal in '98, and wanted to use pro wrestling as a springboard into acting.