There was a strong decade in skilled wrestling the place one may make the case that Kurt Angle was the most effective skilled wrestler on Earth. The Olympian’s post-WWE as a part of TNA is known for a slew of untamed spots and chaotic matches, although Angle has since publicly admitted that he struggled with prescription drug abuse throughout that period. After years of being known as “Perc Angle,” the WWE legend spoke out on the nickname and the way he feels about it years later.
Angle, who may find yourself showing on the upcoming WWE occasions deliberate for WrestleMania 41, spoke to Chris Van Vliet about his now-infamous nickname that was a pun for the narcotic Percocet. The celebrity spoke about seeing followers seek advice from him by that nickname and clarified any misconceptions there is perhaps about his previous historical past with painkillers:
It is nearly like they need me to be ok with it. The followers are having enjoyable with it, as a result of I used to be the most effective wrestler within the enterprise. They wish to say, ‘Kurt Angle was Perc Angle, that is why he was doing it.’ The factor is, I did not use painkillers after I was wrestling. I did them within the morning, after which at night time, I might wrestle, after which I did painkillers after I bought carried out wrestling. So, I by no means wrestled excessive.
It is also value noting that whereas Kurt Angle was launched by WWE later in his profession, his exit and transition to TNA had nothing to do together with his historical past with painkillers. It is attention-grabbing to listen to as a fan that Angle did a few of his riskiest wrestling spots with out using medication, with the belief from wrestling followers that he did so as a result of it will be much less painful to endure.
Kurt Angle, whose documentary ANGLE is out there to stream with a Peacock Premium subscription, continued in explaining why he by no means wrestled excessive and the way that is perhaps evident to wrestling followers watching his work. The previous Olympian defined why wrestlers cannot use medication throughout a efficiency, or not less than efficiency:
You’ll be able to’t wrestle tousled. It is going to be sloppy. You’ve got seen individuals prior to now which have wrestled excessive…you may’t try this. It is nearly not possible, particularly to have match. It’s a must to be sober, otherwise you’re not going to have match.
Kurt Angle did not provide any particular examples, although given the efficiency side of all WWE matches (in addition to sure movies which have surfaced over time) one may see how his logic tracks. Skilled wrestlers should do each deliberate and improvised spots that look convincing to the viewers in attendance, and being mentally compromised in any capability goes to make a tough job that a lot more durable.
The celebrity entered rehab in 2013 and instructed ESPN at one level he was taking sixty-five extra-strength Vicodin a day. He continues to be a reputation always related to professional wrestling, and his accolades within the enterprise converse for itself. Who is aware of if John Cena would’ve blown up the best way he did with out that first feud with Angle, which set into movement the rise of one of many WWE’s largest superstars of all time.
With John Cena’s retirement run underway, I would not thoughts seeing Kurt Angle be one in all The Champ’s closing opponents within the ring. I do know that I would like to see Angle have a extra correct retirement match after that disappointing exit after a loss to Baron Corbin in WrestleMania 35, and having him return to tackle Cena can be an amazing throwback for wrestling followers to get pleasure from.
We do not know if Kurt Angle shall be one of many shock entrants within the 2025 Royal Rumble in Indianapolis, however CinemaBlend is monitoring all rumors and excited to see who exhibits up and wins the match of their alternative at WrestleMania 41. That is gearing as much as be one of the crucial unpredictable Rumbles we have seen in a while, so I would not rule anybody out!