How Good Was Kurt Angle Actually?

Cultural Significance

Kurt Angle is not a particularly relevant cultural figure.

Successful Olympic athletes become household names, but drop out of the fame cycle as quickly as a sprinter after they’ve appeared in some commercials. The Games are a huge draw, but comparatively very few people are going to retain an interest in the canoe slalom without the five-ring branding and the pull of the wider occasion. Angle’s gold medals in 1996 only mean something in 2025 to dedicated amateur wrestling enthusiasts. There aren’t many of them about.

Older wrestling fans hold a profound sense of respect towards Angle’s accomplishments, but it’s not the same thing. Nostalgia is not cultural significance.

It doesn’t count, exactly, but many people are likely aware of what Kurt Angle looks like without knowing who he is. That’s because Angle is the subject of a very popular meme reaction. The source is Angle announcing his TikTok account with a quick introductory message. When he finishes up, he stares vacantly into the distance, the whites of his eyes completely peeled. It’s a joke - he then asks the person filming if they’re done, so he can take a nap - but for these few awkward seconds, Angle’s facial expression is hilarious. He looks like he’s in trouble, plain awkward, or smiling through disbelief. It’s a funny image to use when trying to no-sell a painful social interaction of any kind.

In a weird way, this is evidence that Angle is still entertaining enough to make people laugh all over the globe. But he isn’t exactly El Santo here.