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Kurt Angle is the only competitor in the history of sports-entertainment to have captured both an Olympic gold medal in wrestling as well as the prestigious WWE Championship.
"The Wrestling Machine" has won titles all over the world, including the TNA World Heavyweight belt and the IWGP Championship to name a few. Angle is without a doubt a legend of professional wrestling and continues embarking on his incredible journey' disentangling the shackles of injuries, wear-and-tear and personal issues; proving his mettle inside the squared circle.
We dedicate this time to recall some of his best matchups of all time. Here we go!
#10 Kurt Angle vs Eddie Guerrero (Wrestlemania XX)
This Wrestlemania classic went down with the WWE Championship on the line and saw ‘Latino Heat’ best Kurt Angle on the grandest stage of them all.
Eddie pulled out one of the cheekiest moves ever that saw him loosen his boot’s laces and goad Angle into applying the Ankle Lock; however, when the latter did so, Latino Heat simply slipped out of his grasp, leaving just the boot in the Olympian’s hands.
Kurt then charged right at Eddie in a fit of rage, only to be rolled up and pinned. The match featured excellent mat work, besides a highly frenetic pace and insane chain-wrestling throughout. His Wrestlemania XX matchup against Guerrero has indeed been lauded by fans and critics alike as one of the greatest performances in the history of professional wrestling.
#9 Kurt Angle vs Sting (Hardcore Justice 2011)
With the TNA World Heavyweight Championship on the line, Kurt Angle faced ‘The Icon’ Sting at Hardcore Justice back in 2011. With both wrestlers having suffered legitimate injuries in the lead-up to this epic showdown, the title was anyone’s for the taking.
Angle and Sting engaged in a witty battle of catch-as-can-wrestling manoeuvres, with a rather healthy dosage of suplexes and striking to boot. The WCW legend seemed to be getting the better of the Olympic gold medalist before the penultimate portion of the bout, which saw Angle deck Sting with a steel chair — one that he grabbed from Hulk Hogan.
Angle walked away with the title, and the match was done with; however, to this date, the epic encounter between these two legends is considered to be one of the best not only in TNA but also in the sport’s history. Both performers, despite being relatively past their prime, put on an instant classic, leaving their all inside the ring.
#8 Kurt Angle vs The Rock (No Mercy 2000)
Kurt Angle made history by beating The Rock at No Mercy, becoming the first wrestler to have won an Olympic gold medal as well as the WWF Championship. Although the showdown ended thanks to outside interference from Rikishi, the bout itself was a tremendous encounter.
Both Angle and Rocky were at their respective peaks, and the crowd was absolutely electric Electrifying! throughout the duration of this No Disqualification match. The Olympian dominated the Brahma Bull on the mat, churning out a stupendous barrage of takedowns, suplexes and joint holds.
Angle vs The Rock with the WWF Championship on the line shall go down as one of the most underrated matches in the history of professional wrestling. The People’s Champion would eventually turn the tide against Kurt and come back with a surprisingly dominant chain of counters.
However, none of that would matter as the latter walked away victorious since Rikishi’s interference backfired costing Rocky’s the match and the belt. Surely, a match you’d want to re-watch!
#7 Kurt Angle vs Samoa Joe (Final Resolution 2007)
With a number-1 contender spot for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on the line, Kurt Angle took on Samoa Joe at Final Resolution 2007 in a 30-minute Iron Man match nonetheless.
Although Angle beat Joe 3-2 in their epic clash, the fans in attendance visibly acknowledged the greatness and tenacity displayed by both combatants; showering a ton of respect on the duo.
I truly believe this matchup to be one that truly represented TNA at its peak, helmed in the ring by the sagaciousness of Angle. The Iron Man match saw a tireless effort put forth by both wrestlers, with the crowd quite literally at the edge of their seats throughout the duration of the bout.
When we talk about classics, many of us oft re-watch Angle vs Joe in their MMA-style showdown, however, this 30 minute run of insanity makes their MMA face-off pale in comparison. Both competitors were left in shambles after the conclusion of the Iron Man match, with Angle taming the young lion and keeping his top spot in the TNA food chain.
#6 Team Angle vs Team Cage (Lethal Lockdown 2007)
One of the best matches in our sport’s history saw Kurt Angle emerge as the saviour of the chaotic 10-Man showdown at Lethal Lockdown 2007, with the person who scored the winning pinfall promised a shot at Christian Cage for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.
Kurt chose Samoa Joe, Rhino, Sting and Jeff Jarrett to be on his team, whereas Cage went with Scott Steiner, AJ Styles, Tomko and Abyss.
Usually, a Lethal Lockdown match features TNA performers simply running around in a dazed state, confused at whom to work with and what weapon to use. However, Angle brought order and decorum to this bout, slicing through his opponents’ defence like a knife through melting butter, putting on a spectacular show alongside 9 other performers.
Sting would ultimately score the win for Team Angle; however, the gimmick matchup itself was salvaged by the Olympic Gold Medalist, who masterfully weaved traditional wrestling moves into the mayhem that is typical of a Lethal Lockdown match.
This classic is a unique instance of a crafty performer proving his mettle despite having to work in a chaotic scenario that involved weapons and several other wrestlers.
#5 Kurt Angle vs AJ Styles (Hard Justice 2008)
Remember those years when TNA used Kurt and Karen Angle’s real-life divorce saga as an on-screen storyline? It was around that time when AJ Styles somehow found himself amidst the entire fiasco, alongside Karen.
Angle lost to Styles at Slammiversary 2008, with their rematch taking place at Hard Justice the same year. Both competitors went back-and-forth in this legendary Last Man Standing match that ended with Styles besting the Olympian once again.
Regardless of having ended up short in his bid to defeat archrival AJ Styles, Angle put on one of his career-best performances in a match that’s been heralded by many experts as one of the best in the sport’s history. Both competitors put a severe beating on one another, resulting in a thoroughly exhilarating show for the fans.
#4 Kurt Angle vs AJ Styles vs Sting vs Matt Morgan vs Hernandez (No Surrender 2009)
One of the most pivotal moments in TNA history saw the Phenomenal One win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship by pinning Kurt Angle. This showdown saw 5 wrestlers take each other to hell and back, including ecstatic chain wrestling manoeuvres on part of Angle and Styles, with Sting, Matt Morgan and Hernandez trying their best to capture the title.
The match’s highlights were Kurt Angle’s insane mat wrestling techniques that saw the Olympian come within touching distance of walking away the victor. He put on a show for the fans and was widely acknowledged by many who credited his work ethic and resilience throughout the duration of the match, despite dealing with nagging neck issues.
Angle put over Styles in this monumental main event matchup but walked away with the moral victory nonetheless, having put on one of the greatest performances of his storied career.
#3 Kurt Angle vs Triple H (Unforgiven 2000)
Triple H, Kurt Angle and Stephanie McMahon were involved in a love triangle storyline back in 2000, with the angle reaching a final crescendo at Unforgiven. Angle put on a vociferously commendable effort against the Game but ended up losing.
Angle’s aforementioned matchup against Triple H is widely regarded as the Cerebral Assassin’s greatest performance of all time, right alongside the latter’s Hell In A Cell match against the Undertaker at Wrestlemania 28. Angle weaved professional wrestling magic at Unforgiven against Triple H, with the in-ring storytelling and both performers’ ferociousness netting them considerable praise after the conclusion of their rivalry.
Angle was at his absolute best back then—something which became increasingly obvious as the connoisseur of the 3 I’s — Intelligence, Integrity & Intensity — left the rest of the pro-wrestling world dumbfounded at his sheer mastery of wrestling techniques. His collision with the Game could easily go down as one of his best ever matches.
#2 Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar (IWGP Championship Match)
Brock Lesnar quit the WWE back in 2004 and captured the IWGP Championship, besting several wrestling savants including Shinsuke Nakamura in NJPW. However, Kurt Angle would turn out to be the one to dethrone "the Beast Incarnate."
Back in 2007, Angle, who was the reigning TNA World Heavyweight Champion, challenged Brock Lesnar for the IWGP title in a Champion vs Champion showdown. The duo weaved one of the best in-ring stories that night, placing immense importance on the pacing and aggressiveness displayed inside the ring.
Both stars took a ton of damage throughout the course of their match, and undoubtedly left the Japanese crowd awestruck with their jaw-dropping performance. Angle’s greatness shone like a diamond, as did his veteran savvy in making Lesnar look strong in a loss. I’d highly suggest that you watch this classic… that is if you haven’t already!
#1 Kurt Angle vs Brock Lesnar (Wrestlemania XIX)
Kurt Angle defended his WWE Championship against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania XIX. Although the match is usually recollected because of Lesnar’s botched Shooting Star Press, you cannot possibly discredit the immaculate work and painstakingly disciplined effort put forth by both WWE Superstars.
The match is widely regarded as one of the best of all time, with Angle being commended for the otherworldly technical wrestling acumen he showed throughout the duration of the showdown. However, the most vital element which serves to make this his best performance ever, is the fact that despite having been through a hellacious back-and-forth affair in the matchup, Kurt showed incredulous presence of mind by covering up Lesnar’s botch and proceeding with the bout as though nothing significant transpired.
Angle dropped the WWE Championship to Lesnar but won hearts the world over for what is, in my opinion, the greatest performance of the Olympian’s career.
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