Kurt Angle signs with TNA
Eric Schomburg
September 25, 2006
What does this mean for TNA? Take a look at Kurt Angle’s resume and you’ll know why this is a huge deal for TNA.
Former World Heavyweight Champion.
4 time WWE Heavyweight Champion.
Former WWE Hardcore Champion
Former WWE European Champion
Former Intercontinental Champion
Former Tag-Team Champion (with Chris Benoit)
2000 King of the Ring
Kurt Angle has been revered by fans for his in-ring prowess and is easily one of the greatest in-ring performers in professional wrestling history.
Unfortunately, it seems Kurt’s hard work and dedication seem to go unnoticed by the World Wrestling Entertainment company, since the WWE is all about sports-entertainment and “trying” to “entertain” the crowd with such banal gimmicks such as the now released Boogyman, and the Caucasian rapper known as John Cena, there was no room in the WWE for legitimate “professional wrestlers.”
TNA has been on a role since last year. They establish themselves on network television; produced their own collection of DVD’s; garnered some familiar wrestling faces and made them instant superstars [Rhino, Christian, Sting, Raven, Team 3D, and Jarrett]; and garnered accolades from wrestling fans all over the country.
Kurt Angle left the WWE in August of 2006 after some heated board meetings between Vince and Kurt to which Kurt was finally let go after being demoted from RAW to Smackdown and then from Smackdown to WWE’s hapless version of ECW. It was clear to Kurt that the WWE was relegating the former World Champion into obscurity, it’s almost as if Vince and the fat 40 year old virgins known as the WWE writing staff had no clue what to do with the Olympic gold medalist. Sad, isn’t it? For the WWE that is.
Kurt Angle walked out on the WWE just like Christian Cage, and just like Christian Cage, Kurt Angle would surprise everyone in true wrestling fashion. TNA owner Dixie Carter announced a surprise announcement concerning TNA would be astronomical and send TNA to knew heights in professional wrestling, but what was the announcement? Unlike the WWE, this storyline was UN-predictable, not even the IWC [Internet Wrestling Community] could figure out what this surprise would be, and why is the hype behind it so astronomical? Fans were ruminating on what it could be. Some fans say that it has something to do with TNA Impact going to Prime Time (which they were half right, because TNA IS going to prime time starting at 9pm est.) Some fans say the big announcement would be the now rehired former WCW, WWE, and TNA writer Vince Russo will be booking TNA again. Some fans have speculated that former WCW and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg would be sign with TNA. However, NO ONE thought Angle would be returning to wrestling after he announced he was finished with wrestling and looking in to more physical fighting environments. Thank God, Angle wasn’t close to being done with wrestling, and thank God that he signed with TNA, because this is the jumpstart TNA needs to keep the momentum going for themselves.
Now, let’s answer the question. What kind of an impact does this cause TNA? A BIG impact. Kurt Angle is a legend in professional wrestling. Signing Angle gives TNA many opportunities for themselves. First, a lot of the UFC fans will look at Angle as a “real” wrestler with his shoot-fighting and freelance wrestling background. Second, Kurt Angle was/is more popular with fans than WWE Champion John Cena, oh it’s true, just watch their feud and see who gets the cheers, it surely wasn’t Cena; therefore, Angle will draw more of the WWE audience to watch TNA. Finally, Angle will probably bring more familiar faces to TNA, Kane maybe?
Kurt Angle will now wrestle the likes of Jeff Jarrett, Monty Brown, Chris Sabin, Christian Cage, Sting, AJ Styles, Petey Williams, and Scott Steiner.
I can’t wait until Angle finally has a match for TNA. Welcome to the jungle, TNA, your Lion is ready for his prey.