Top 10 Wrestlers With Amateur Backgrounds In WWE History

Could it have been anyone else?

A natural in the ring and on the microphone, Kurt Angle is one of the greatest WWE superstars of all-time. Debuting in 1999, his seven year run saw him capture six world championships, partake in some of the era’s most notable angles, and put-on truly outstanding matches with the likes of Chris Benoit, Shawn Michaels, and Brock Lesnar. His 10-year TNA spell was just as memorable, and wherever he ends-up next, Angle will always be remembered as one of the most complete professional wrestlers of his generation.

His amateur wrestling career started at the age of seven. After going undefeated in his freshman year, Kurt qualified for the Pennsylvania state championships in his second year, and continued to wrestle throughout his college career. He was a two-time NCAA Division I champion, a runner-up in 1991, and a three-time All-American. The honours didn’t stop there, though: in 1987, Angle was the USA Junior Freestyle wrestling champion, and in 1988, the IFAWS Junior World Freestyle champion.

Following his college career, Angle won a gold medal at the 1995 FILA Wrestling World Championship. Following this, he started preparing for what would become his crowning glory: the 1996 Summer Olympics. Famously suffering a “broken freakin’ neck” (specifically: two fractured vertebrae and two herniated discs) during his training, Angle stayed competitive, won his trials, and secured his place on the team.

Angle competed at the 1996 Olympics after five months of rehabilitation, and secured the gold medal victory that he’d go-on to base his entire pro-wrestling character around. Kurt is a rare breed: a legendary wrestler who was just as successful at an amateur level as he’s become professionally. His achievements in both fields are nothing short of remarkable, and when his WWE Hall of Fame induction comes, Kurt Angle will be cemented as one of the all-time greats.