As the current Raw General Manager, Kurt Angle has returned to bring his own brand of justice, and instill a sense of fairness that was sorely missing. However, when Angle was in the ring, he was committed to creating a story in the ring that everyone watching could appreciate. Wins and losses were less important to this multi-time WWE champion that feuded with the biggest and best that WWE had to offer, until he left the company in 2006.
He is known for his memorable matches against the likes of Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and Triple H. While he may have been victorious sometimes, his commitment to the story meant he was willing to do the job. To him, it meant more to tell a compelling story and have a great match than being put over. He was gracious in defeat and the consummate professional. Angle put over a number of wrestlers during his time in WWE, but a few stand out over and above anyone else. Here are five WWE superstars who were put over, by Kurt Angle.
#5. Brock Lesnar
This represented a changing of the guard in many ways. One was the still-young Olympic hero, and the other was ascending to the throne of WWE champion. This was the story of Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle at Wrestlemania XIX. Angle had already suffered a broken neck and was facing serious consequences if he continued to try to push his body without taking the time needed to rest and heal. The in-ring chemistry between them was definitely present. However, for whatever criticism there may have been for Angle pushing his body beyond where it should go, no one can deny that he was an absolutely professional inside the ring.
The right decision was to have Lesnar go over at the showcase of the immortals. However, it almost wasn't to be, as Lesnar attempted an ill-fated shooting star press. This was also a move that Lesnar was rumored to have done in his career in developmental, off television. However, this time, he landed right on his face. Despite that, Lesnar had enough wherewithal to hit Angle with the F5 and pin him to capture the championship.
#4. 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin
After defeating Austin by disqualification at Summerslam 2001, Angle eventually won the WWE Championship from Austin about a month later. Crucially, this was during a time when the battle between the WWF and The Alliance was taking place. However, William Regal, then the Commissioner, turned on Angle and cost him the championship. This resulted in Austin capturing the title on the October 8th, 2001 edition of Raw. While he didn't lose clean, in the context of the story, it made sense.
As part of the faction that opposed the Alliance, Angle was the face that was there to thwart the attempts of Austin to put his side over. What Angle hadn't anticipated was being cost the title by the one man that was supposed to represent Vince McMahon and his promotion, in Regal. In losing to Austin and putting over the new champion, it helped further along the story and eventually led to a heel turn by Angle, who later decided ‘If you can't beat them, join them,' as he too joined the Alliance.
#3. Edge
It isn't typical for a feud, to begin with someone being put over by the other, but that certainly was the case here. As part of the Alliance, Kurt Angle was at one time the United States champion, but put over Edge and lost the title in the process. What took place afterward was a chain of events that began a feud between the two. This is ultimately where the ‘You Suck' chants towards Angle began. These chants have followed Angle throughout his career to this day, but began when Edge initiated the singing of those words to the tune of Angle's theme song.
It was also during this feud that Angle and Edge had their ‘hair versus hair' match, which saw the Olympic hero not only lose the match, but his hair. The feud showed that Angle was willing to make himself look silly and take chances with his character. This feud also helped Edge without a doubt, as his time as both a mid-card champion later world champion can be tied to Angle putting him over.
#2. Eddie Guerrero
Their rivalry came about when an allegiance turned sour, as Eddie Guerrero was named the new number one contender for Angle's WWE championship. It was an instance where friendship turned to jealousy, and Angle turned on his friend. At Wrestlemania XX, Angle put over Guerrero, losing clean to Latino Heat. This incredible contest was a showcase of two true mat technicians. Despite hitting his signature frog splash, Guerrero wasn't able to capitalize. The victory was only captured when a perplexed Angle was caught in a roll-up pin.
After years of coming close, Guerrero finally achieved the pinnacle of his sport, capturing the WWE championship. It was just one of many instances where Angle proved it was just as important to give back as it was to achieve individual accomplishments. Guerrero was a friend to Angle outside of the ring as well, so to have his friend reach such an accomplishment was clearly important for Kurt as well.
#1. Shawn Michaels
While we could easily call it a case of 50/50 booking, Angle actually did put over Michaels. At the Royal Rumble 2005, Angle was eliminated by Michaels during the Rumble, causing Kurt to run back into the ring and eliminate Michaels in return. What ensued was a feud between the two that saw them have a match at WrestleMania 21, where Michaels lost to Angle. However, their feud continued when Michaels was drafted to Smackdown. This led to a renewal of hostilities with Angle, ultimately defeating him at the Vengeance event that year.
While their match at WrestleMania 21 was considered the match of the year by Pro Wrestling Illustrated, they still had a solid match at Vengeance. Their feud also produced some memorable moments, such as Angle mocking Marty Jannetty, attacking Sherri Martel, and his rendition of Michaels' theme song, titled ‘Sexy Kurt.' Angle's self-deprecating humor and desire to tell a story far exceeded wanting to be on top. He put over Michaels, quite justifiably.
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