After losing the WWE Championship to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 19, Kurt Angle took time off to have surgery to clear up a number of well-documented spine and neck issues. Rather than have a surgery that would keep him out upwards of a year, Angle opted for a more controversial operation that would keep him out of action for just a fraction of the time. The surgery was successful in that regard as Angle was back in time to take part in Vengeance 2003 winning the WWE championship and looking as strong as ever. Angle would continue to be in the main event picture all the way up to his championship match against defending champion Eddie Guerrero at WrestleMania 20. While in the middle of a feud with Guerrero over the strap, he was once again forced out of competition after once again experiencing numbness, tingling and stiffness in his neck. Angle would remain a thorn in Guerrero's side but would be doing so from the General Manager role, instead of in the ring. While JBL was more than ready to pick up the ball and run with it, Angle being sidelined while in the middle of a program with Guerrero was a less than ideal situation.
JV Vernola has been a wrestling fan since he was three (around the same time Hogan was bodyslamming Andre) and has been able to write almost as long. He lives in the scorched earth that is the Arizona desert while trying to maintain awesomeness.
