In Defense of Kurt Angle

So last night I was reading the Camel Clutch blog. Normally, I'm a fan, and agree with what Eric Gargiulo writes.

Last night was different. Eric's article yesterday was a 'Let's bash Kurt Angle' article, or as he put it, "the newest edition of 'Kurt Angle... idiot'". Now I don't have any issues with Eric or Camel Clutch specifically... and I am by no means 'calling him out'... and I'm not intending to pick a fight,

but...

Eric's article is the straw that broke Shawn Michael's back. There seems to be a growing trend with wrestling blogs, news and gossip sites, and frankly, I have had enough. It seems like many have turned their back on Kurt Angle, and unjustly so.

So where do I begin?

I suppose we'll start with Eric Gargiulo's rant. The focus of Eric's bashing was in response to Kurt Angle's appearance on The Scott Ferrel Show on Sirius satellite radio. I didn't listen to the show, so I'm trusting that what Eric is writing about is accurate. In the interview, Kurt Angle apparently voiced interest in fighting Randy Couture. Well, first of all, let's address what Eric said:

"Couture just signed a deal with HD Net, Mark Cuban’s MMA promotion. Cuban has the resources to make this fight happen, but so does UFC."

Well, the possibilities of this happening, at least before October, are no, Randy's not with the UFC anymore. Randy retired with UFC due to their inability to sign Fedor Emelianenko... and no, due to the non-compete clause, Randy Couture can't work with any rival companies until at least October. (Zuffa LLC Files Injunction Against Hall of Famer)

As for Kurt Angle's 'excuse after excuse' about why he won't take fights, and Dana White 'calling bullsh*t'. It's well known that Dana wouldn't allow Kurt Angle to continue to wrestle if he signed a deal with UFC. Kurt is loyal to TNA for obvious reasons (we'll talk more about that later).

I wonder what examples you are thinking of, exactly, Eric. Do you mean the challenge from Ken Shamrock? Who would be willing to face Ken Shamrock with only 2.5 months of training allowed before the fight? Are you talking about Daniel Puder? I don't think anyone in pro wrestling would give Puder the respect of facing him after he took the easy way into the business and then bailed on his Tough Enough contract. As for Randy Couture, who knows if Kurt Angle would stand a chance... but if you think Angle wouldn't be successful in MMA, you're a fool. Regardless of prior injuries, the guy is built like, and moves like, a jungle cat. Anyway, I'm sorry that this entry so far seems to be directed at you, Eric, it wasn't meant to be.

Moving on. I'm sick of hearing that Kurt Angle is 'delusional', or 'in denial', or 'insane'. So cut it out, bucko.

First let's address the new TNA iMPACT! video game being done by Midway. Kurt Angle drew a lot of heat for remarks he made about the game. Read on:

"Midway made us all care about [the game], because it made us all realize how important the video game industry is for our sport,"

"WWE don't care. They just want to put something together, hurry it up and get it out there just to make money. We spent a lot of money to make this the most authentic wrestling game ever, and we did it."

"This thing is going to be the biggest hit of any video game ever, especially in the wrestling industry, is the most authentic wrestling game ever made. The game is so realistic, it looks like our television show.

"Within two or three years, TNA is going to be the biggest company in the wrestling world, and this game is going to be our kick-off,"

Okay. Well, WWE doesn't care about video games. This is evidenced by the latest WWE game, Smackdown vs. Raw 2008. If you haven't played it, read my review here on Wrestling Rant. Pong! was a better wrestling game than SvR 2008. It's obvious from looking at the screenshots that TNA's game is a far cry from any other wrestling titles. I don't know that TNA's new game would overtake Halo 3, but it's going to sell well in the sports and action titles. As for the last statement... while it's a little ambitious, I don't necessarily know that it's delusional. A lot can happen in three years... and no one but TNA knows what their business plan is. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I am the furthest thing from a fan of the TNA product, but I honestly hope they do get their act together and succeed.

Now let's talk about Kurt's statements about TNA itself. Sure, Kurt Angle might be a bit liberal or broad when talking about the margin between WWE and TNA ratings... but you know what? That's marketing. Do you expect him to say, 'Oh yeah Vince is kicking our ass in the ratings this week'. Of course not. He believes in the product, and he's going to do whatever he can to help the company along. Kurt Angle is standing behind the company that stood behind him in the aftermath of Kurt Angle's WWE release.

Does no one remember the whole (I'm paraphrasing) "Olympic Gold Medals and 50 cents will get you a cup of coffee." comment made by Vince McMahon?

I mean geezus... I wouldn't go so far as to say Kurt Angle carried WWE, but ever since Kurt Angle blew his nose in Tiger Ali Singh's flag in March of '99, he was the staple of the company through 2006. When Triple H was injured... when Shawn Michaels was injured... when Undertaker was on hiatus... when the The Rock left... when Brock Lesnar left... when 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin left... when Mick Foley left... (etc. etc. etc.) Kurt Angle was there. Hell, even when he re-injured his neck after Wrestlemania 20 he stayed on board in the god-awful GM-in-a-wheelchair storyline on Smackdown. Most guys would have taken off. With all the things he did for WWE, Vince had the nerve to make the 'cup of coffee' comment because Kurt was asking for a lighter schedule? To make matters worse, Vince McMahon insinuates the Kurt Angle was being released because had a drug problem? Ridiculous.

The guy put his ass on the line for us for years. He busted his ass for us for years. Did I forget to mention that he won an Olympic gold medal with a 'broken freakin' neck'? Give Kurt Angle the respect he deserves, and stop nitpicking. Whether you like it or not, Kurt Angle is one of the all-time greats. Oh it's true, it's damn true.



Find Eric Gargiulo Camel Clutch article here: Guess who Kurt wants to Fight Now?
I also highly recommend Professor Netwon Gimmick's article and timeline on TNA News: The Professor's Position on Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle Website: Kurt Angle