The WWF Debut of Kurt Angle | Wrestling Bios

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When it comes to athletes who crossed over into the world of wrestling and the WWE, probably no one was more more succesful than Kurt Angle. Kurt was a succesful amateur wrestler, the height of his amateur career arriving when he won a gold medal in the Summer Olympic games in 1996. After this incredible accomplishment, Kurt Angle became the interest of many wrestling promoters, two of which being Paul Heyman and Vince McMahon.
After a brief visit to ECW which didn't end well and after talks with the WWF fell through in 1996, Kurt eventually signed a WWF contract in 1998. After spending a year in WWF developmental territories and working a ton of WWF dark matches, Kurt Angle made a succesful TV debut at the 1999 Survivor Series pay per view.
This mini documentary from Wrestling Bios looks at Kurt's journey to the WWF along with his first few months within the company. Topics covered include:
03:45 - Kurt Angle in ECW 1996
05:26 - Vince McMahon tries to sign Kurt Angle in 1996
06:51 - Kurt Angle begins working WWF developmental territories
09:37 - The TV debut of Kurt Angle in the WWF
12:37 - Kurt begins working Raw and Smackdown shows
16:14 - Kurt Angle vs Tazz
Much More!
#WWE #Documentary #Wrestling

[@bpo1975]

Kurt's sense of comedic timing is under appreciated. The man was hilarious in his skits and on the mic.

[@DissidentThoughts]

I hated him at the time but now I remember how talented he was, the perfect heal/ champion

[@monsieurdubitatif8567]

Its true, its true.

[@myinnapeaceministries7545]

I concur! Nail on the head!

[@REDEYEDFEELiN]

The godfather one was the best lol

[@newtoncountry5937]

I used to love when Mick Foley would interrupt him just to play the clip of him crying and make fun of him. His funniest stuff tho was when he would beat up Mollah and Mae Young. He would spear them and jump around all proud of it 😂😂

[@A-Man79]

"If Kurt Angle is not in every Hall of Fame when it is all said and done, they ought to close every Hall of Fame and just call it a day." - Jim Ross

[@MrEAW56]

Factz

[@AnarickTheDevil]

Well sense there is no physical hall of fame for wrestling it really doesn't matter.

[@deanrobbins7823]

Hell Yeah!🍺

[@VanillaMidgetSSBM]

@@AnarickTheDevil There is, The PWHF in Texas is generally considered the official HoF not aligned to any promotion. It's sort of like Massachusetts' Basketball hall of fame.

[@georgemunro319]

The man is in the history books for being the only American to win the gold medal in the olympics for amateur wrestling

[@djdashdfw]

Coach: Hi All of us imitating The Rock: "It doesnt matter!"

[@shadisawaqed940]

it's funny when I saw him, the rock came to mind right away.

[@SatoshiKong]

At the Copa...

[@markcox1028]

I like when you get shout outs from the people in the business. You deserve that recognition for your hard work.

[@jiminycricket6747]

iits probably a payed video

[@MisfitOutfit]

@@jiminycricket6747 like the ones on your mom's onlyfans account.

[@frankiepaul9869]

@@MisfitOutfit he ditnt

[@blakeburrows1439]

Yeah you deserve guys on your intro for sure this channel should have a million subs at least

[@markcox1028]

@@MisfitOutfit lol. You're funny.

[@VickStarkiller]

Vince was a genius to make Angle a heel. He knew that Angle being an Olympic gold medalist and therefore being seen as a Boy Scout would be enough for ppl to scorn him, so rather than having his debut fall flat and possibly ruin Kurt’s ego, he just had him lean into the heat from the jump. It’s also great because this was the time where heels were cheered and babyfaces were booed. The Attitude Era had no true babyfaces. The days of Hulkamania were long gone. Angle’s character was a fantastic antithesis to ppl like Stone Cold, The Rock or Triple H.

[@nickbrown9163]

I was in the USMC and Monday nights were so fun. We all looked forward to Raw. Kurt was my guy right away.

[@JudahAkeemTV]

Well said.

[@OptimumTaurus]

When a heel makes you want to wait for him to stop talking so you can slap him, he's doing something right.

[@Toast960]

Wrestling Bios may say "severe neck injuries" but all I hear is "a broken frickin' neck!"

[@vanillathrilla2677]

Came hear to comment exactly this. Just as funny and awesome having been beat to it.

[@ajtinubu]

😂right

[@PGHDude]

Facts

[@hootie34667]

It's true, it's damn true.

[@masterchef2965]

A missed opportunity there 😂😂

[@frankrizzo7713]

Dude he didn't have severe neck injuries in the 96" Olympics. He had a broken freaking neck!

[@carlosovalle6165]

Thank you I was about to comment that

[@froey198033]

@@carlosovalle6165 um I would say that's a severe neck injury.

[@frankrizzo7713]

Seems not everyone took this as a joke. It was a joke lol

[@magacashmoney4751]

I was training for this year's Olympics. That are postponed

[@RedColdRitsu]

Ben Zipper Nobody asked.

[@mattrasbury7539]

Angle and benoit were always my favorite as a kid and still to this day I believe their work in the ring will stand the test of time.

[@robertprince2651]

Those matches had me glued to the screen EVERY time.

[@aaront.akabiggs631]

Without a doubt

[@Squarian33]

Kurt is my personal GOAT. Shout out to the Coach as well. Dope to see people noticing the work you’ve been putting in

[@Thor-Orion]

Well when you go back to Bret’s 3 categories out of 10 I think Kurt is probably the highest across the board. His promo work is so good and his in ring work was as good as anyone ever. I think I slightly prefer Bret’s matches, but Kurt is such a good in ring storyteller as well to being great in the skits and on the mic.

[@CF-sl3th]

For me, Kurt Angle was to “in ring work” as to what The Rock was to “mic work” Both picked up their respective parts of wrestling ridiculously fast and within 2 years they both where the best in the world at what they where good at.

[@Thor-Orion]

Except Kurt picked up the mic pretty damn quick too, it’s much more surprising how good he was on the mic from the jump.

[@kforcer]

Kurt's act as a "boring" heel who engaged in dull amateur wrestling tactics was so perfectly done he had convinced hardcore wrestling friends of mine that he really was a poor professional wrestler who didn't know how to entertain. And he really, really was convincing in his loss to Taz in Taz's debut. I think once again, people really bought into the idea that Taz was a hardcore shooter that was too much for a clean-cut amateur like Angle. Angle's psychology in and out of the ring as a heel was just awesome.

[@Yroko]

Ikr. I even thought "who is this clown to say this..(all his mic work and promos)" it wasn't tell he won his first title did I looked back to his debut and all his matches and think. Then all his returns, the crowd shouting you suck, and he had one of the biggest grins. At that point he just rolled with it, and it promoted as his cheer and thanked the fans for all the years.

[@patrickpope1449]

"Severe neck injury".... No. It's "A broken friggin' neck!"

[@magacashmoney4751]

Godfather has hos

[@thomascrowley9122]

@@magacashmoney4751 In different area codes

[@marymary83436]

I thought he was going to say that.

[@larrydavis4019]

Patrick Pope , Hey there Patrick. I'm glad to know that I wasn't the only one that was bothered by that. Nice to have a fellow fan have that desire of if you're gonna say it, say it right. Take care Patrick. 👍😁👍😁👍😁👍😁

[@g-dub5272]

Wrestling’s Carlton Banks 😂 in my top 3 all time, youre the best Kurt

[@todhammond4471]

G-Dub 85 you win the internet, Jesus that’s amazing

[@owdeezstrauz1268]

if kurt's the best, wouldn't he be your TOP? not top 3?

[@ellismarquez8410]

Nah. Shane O-Mac has the superior Carlton moves.

[@ZekeThePlumber86]

My 2nd favorite wrestler ever! 1.) The Great Muta 2.) Kurt 3.) Stan Hansen Please do The Great Muta! Great work!

[@MacStoker]

i like how all 3 are totally different but still the best at what they do

[@TrulyPhillyForever]

Very diverse list you got there great stuff.

[@kekoriko5760]

Oh my god, another Hansen fan :D Now I wish we could have an Hansen Wrestling Bio.

[@gunziscomin2058]

Great list!!!

[@ZekeThePlumber86]

@@kekoriko5760 I've waiting and waiting for him & Muta! One day!

[@moviemetalhead]

Always made me laugh that Kurt Angle inherited The Patriot's entrance music.

[@robertt9342]

It sounded so good and fit his character well.

[@sidsinp2487]

He is just a sexy Kurt. He will make your ankle hurt.

[@JuiceThe511]

Wow! Props from Coach? Way to go, man. Loving the content. Keep it up!

[@magacashmoney4751]

Coach is ESPN

[@timbartschwolfman]

Kurt Angle in WWE--"oh it's True it's damn true" Kurt Angle in TNA--"oh it's real it's damn real"

[@Machete87]

that was downright nutz when Kurt went to TNA. He had the hugest pop during his debut.

[@timbartschwolfman]

@@Machete87 I remember when he head-butted Samoa Joe

[@devonschwartz6456]

Machete 87 hell yeah. I was there. Him and Joe locking eyes for the first time was epic. Such a badass moment in wrestling history.

[@timbartschwolfman]

@@devonschwartz6456 Really that's cool 👍👍

[@billysimmons2287]

Why did he leave WWE?

[@Prckman]

I remember his debut. Back then I remember booing him and getting fully involved in him being that heel. But that is one wrestler that I respect. In my top 5 wrestlers of all time.

[@riotMikeV1]

The only other man allowed to say "Wooooooo!"

[@raymondg8672]

Its true. Its damn true.

[@mrdude88]

No. Jay Lethal was given the blessing of Ric Flair to imitate his character on TNA. Jay Lethal “Woooooo” too.

[@diggadirt393]

"Woooooo!" - Owen Hart

[@magacashmoney4751]

Wooooo.

[@jamiebaker7265]

Sting has entered the chat

[@taydafranklin7800]

Holy hell we not only appreciate the effort but we appreciate the Coach blessing us with his presence

[@WaterborneCamper]

I got to meet Angle last year at the SummerSlam meet & greet. Great guy!!

[@magacashmoney4751]

I met him. He charged me 100 dollars. For a picture autograph and we had dinner

[@punishedgondola1814]

Kurt Angle is perhaps the most talented prowrestler of all time

[@EBK_iN_MY_DNA]

Ehh I say benoit but it’s damn close

[@SJD631NY]

Kurt was definitely a beast. If i have to choose one match to call his best....id say Wrestlemania 21 vs Shawn Michaels. This is a match i would show a casual fan to try and get them to become a more involved fan

[@snookralston1031]

I think its pretty darn cool the creator of this channel keeps getting shout outs from the wrestlers, thanks for the great content 👏 👍

[@ZanzibarBreeze]

Angle, Jericho and Benoit all joining the WWE within a relatively short space of time really sent the mid tier card interest into overdrive in 2000. They were all fantastic characters but they were phenomenal athletes who were so great to watch as they were pushing themselves to go higher and higher. They had some brilliant matches with each other, one of which was a two fall contest for Angle's European and Intercontinental titlex where Angle lost the European to Jericho and Intercontinental to Benoit, all without being pinned himself.

[@JonnyAugz]

When you forget Kurt Angle had a full head of hair.

[@kal0247]

😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jesselewis525]

Man, I remember that storyline was put in WWE Smackdown: Shut Your Mouth for the PS2 back in the day.

[@jesselewis525]

Idk if anyone remembers who that match was against, the loser shaves their head. But it was against Edge. I don't remember what ppv it took place on though.

[@ProjectLiberationPH]

@@jesselewis525 Judgment Day 2002

[@JohnKobaRuddy]

Even when he first entered the way he even held the mic was something different! Arguably the best wrestler and arguably the best to transition from one vocation to wrestling and make it look absolutely seamless

[@robertprince2651]

Also, Brock Lesnar... those two were GOLD.

[@TombstoneChris]

the fact that you got one of the greatest announcers commentators personalities of all-time Jonathan Coachman to endorse your video shows just how awesome you are. You are absolutely the go to when it comes to wrestling information. You wanted to know something about a particular wrestler chances are you have made a video. Thank you so much for all your hard work. and I've been a fan for a long time of professional wrestling and I like to think I know everything but even you have taught me things I didn't know. Kurt Angle in my opinion the greatest professional wrestler of all time the only one that comes close is the crippler Chris Benoit and boy what a series of matches they had.

[@khbrown8963]

Excellent comment, much respect and appreciation.

[@andrewgreen9612]

Awesome!

[@BatFactory]

"Won a gold medal with severe neck injuries." Excuse me sir, I believe you mean with a BROKEN FREAKIN' NECK

[@TheNoirAlien]

"I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN " Paul Heyman protecting Kayfabe.🤣🤣🤣

[@RoKKr023i]

When i was kid i hated Kurt. Man was such a good heel. Incredible talent un-squandered. Huge respect for his work. Yours too Wrestling Bios.

[@VeRTiGo9191]

One of the greater wrestlers to have the amateur background, and make it big. I wish I still had my 3 I's shirt. Great vid, as always!!!

[@kerpal321]

man look how young and athletic kurt used to look, it saddens me seeing these guys get old

[@jamalsg44ja]

Baby face or heel I love Kurt Angle 😭 his segments were so goofy back then and made classics. Then in the mid 2000’s they were just incredible especially when the You Suck chants started 🤣🤣

[@stevenrichards7975]

I still have flashbacks to Angle and his three I's whenever they mention integrity in work. An absolute legend. And who can forget the milk float!

[@magacashmoney4751]

Michael cole is my uncle

[@roymartin500]

What a great time his debut was! I remember him and Jericho being the last two future HOFers to really hit the pinnacle of that era's greatness.

[@reymisterio1386]

kurt angle matches with eddie guerrero were amazing

[@16BitJay]

Great video, I've mentioned before Coach told me to but these videos have been great and this was a great look into how Kurt started. I remember watching the match with Stasiak and when he gets out and says "you will not boo, your Olympic hero," it makes me smile every time. I've found that Kurt was always the perfect dance partner for just about any other wrestler, and if they can't go with Kurt then they can't go. It was kind of sad to see him compete more recently though where you can see the toll that's been taken on his body. Once again keep up the good work dude.

[@AllieRX]

Kurt Angle's rookie year is the greatest rookie year of any pro wrestler! Dude became Grand Slam Champion in 11 months! And to think I hated him at the time.

[@KoolKumasi]

Brock's is only slightly better.

[@RetroDanno]

"You do not boo an Olympic Gold Medallist. You do NOT boo an Olympic Gold Medallist! I came here for YOU! You do NOT boo me!!" I remember Jerry Lawler at SS '99 on commentary saying (kayfabe) how hard Kurt would find it to make friends in the WWF because of his 'real athlete' tag - even putting over Stasiak as he was second generation. But as soon as Kurt grabbed the mic and scolded the fans for booing him Lawler suddenly respected him and cheered for him from that point on. Love your channel man. I feel like i have a decent amount of pro wrestling knowledge myself but i'm always learning new things by watching your videos. You deserve all the shout-outs from people within the business as i'm sure they - as i do - appreciate the effort you put into them. More than anything else as a fan i love the respect that you show for pro wrestling. Keep up the awesomeness!

[@peteryoung08]

It's awesome you got the coach to open your video, I'm glad you're get the recognition you deserve. I've been watching your videos for over a year now and love your videos. I've been a wrestling fan since I was a kid in the late 80's and I still learn new things about my favorite wrestlers growing up by your videos. Thank you for making great videos.

[@4sername]

The greatest crossover WWE superstar of all time. Hands down, bar none, without a doubt, no one even comes close It’s true, it’s true, EDIT: added no one even comes close

[@ajtinubu]

I agree

[@DaileyShorts]

Is there anyone near him?

[@jamessunderland7435]

@@DaileyShorts Brock Lesnar

[@jamessunderland7435]

@@DaileyShorts Brian Pillman and Vader too both former NFL players

[@gtaylor2455]

@@DaileyShorts In WWE no. Back in territory days you could make an argument for Ernie Ladd as being the only cross over athlete to be in the same category. The Big Cat was as over as anyone in the 70s. Ernie Ladd is just as much of a legend and Angle.

[@theMainFNMan]

Fun fact Kurt Angle did receive some professional wrestling training in Pittsburgh at a promotion known as Pro Wrestling eXpress AKA PWX which is the same place I went to be trained as a wrestling manager

[@alfietheloudmouth464]

Duuuude you got the coach to intro your video! Congrats! Bout time the wrestling world appreciate the best wrestling content producer on KZbin. Keep doing you! Big love from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@jonhildahl9982]

I was not excited about Angle's debut but I quickly changed my mind. He was quite awesome.

[@Tre_Ason_Number7]

Kurt is my hero....my favorite wrestler ever... IT'S DAMN TRUE! Thank you Wrestling Bios!

[@kinggold5378]

During these times WE as WRESTLING FANS ...Appreciate the work !! Keep it up..

[@ronniemorales5485]

Wow! Moving on up! Congrats! I’ve been watching your videos for the past 6 months. Awesome content!

[@marccaselle8108]

Wow the coach! I was wondering what happened to him. Always entertaining. 🙂

[@TabbyTheCat]

I needed something to listen while cleaning. Wrestling Bios always comes through. Awesome remix 👍😏

[@kevinanthony7123]

There is no one like Kurt Angle. A true performer and great comedic chops. Keep up the great work Wrestling Bios and give us more Angle. Shout out to Jonathan Coachman as well

[@TyyTheFlyGuy]

Always a pleasure to watch these. Thank you.

[@ChrisKewl]

Congrats on 100k+ and nice getting the Coach to promote you. Good job!

[@masterchef2965]

To this day Kurt's "oh its true" catchphrase cracks me up every time

[@FlavianoRosario]

Great vid, cant wait for Part 2!

[@FunkSwaggMusiK]

I need to see those Funkin Dojo Videos and the Kurt Vs Owen dark match, I know WWE has that on video even if it was a dark match....Doing great work Bios ✊🏽

[@radrickdavis]

Wearing my favorite Kurt Angle merchandise memorabilia as I listen to this. Baseball cap with "Submit" on the front with the US star dotting the "i" and Kurt's name on the back. Great video!

[@neilmurray8920]

One of the most underappreciated wrestlers to ever grace the squared circle. Absolute pro and has the God damn dedication of a warrior, to think what he put his body through just to entertain fans, absolutely crazy. He's right up there with the best of the business. Great on the mic, in skits and one of the best of all time in the ring.

[@toomanylies7716]

Your videos make me want to rewatch my Best of Raw collection. Great stuff.

[@KJ-tz7vc]

I love that you recounted all the deeply hilarious moments that were a hallmark of Kurt's WWE career.

[@micjab]

Angle was incredible and he debuted at such an awesome time in wrestling. Great video!

[@TheEWFX29]

Great to see that you got the Coach to give a shout out. You do great work, good to see you be recognized. Keep up the great work.

[@tomched8299]

That intro from The Coach is awesome. So good to see you getting recognition, love these videos

[@gochasingwaterfalls9970]

That promo after losing to Tazz was awesome. The bit where he’s saying Tazz lacks one of the three I’s cracks me up.

[@chrisday5079]

Yes coach that’s some gratitude for you there wrestling bios. Best wrestling channel by far

[@Bobbywoodhogan]

Honestly people argue over the best ever, but it’s Kurt Angle, in ring he could do anything, he was also one of the rare wrestlers who could do comedy and serious stuff and be taken seriously

[@johnjankowski6814]

Another great piece of work from the best! Keep em coming man!

[@marielrutland7236]

This is THE BEST channel I stumbled across, now I watch it everyday. Fantastic content, great videos, and intelligent delivery. Thank you for all your hard work for this channel, we love it out here.

[@SuperDarkMario]

Hey you got the Coach to do an intro. Thats awesome! great video as well

[@TheFlashman]

This might just be the best wrestling channel on KZbin right now. Well done pal!

[@kevynhansyn2902]

He won the Gold Medal with a "Broken Freakin Neck"!!!

[@stryker5949]

Dude you've come along way keep up the great content...Salute 💯✊

[@julioochoa8613]

Funniest Kurt Angle moment for me was when Stone Cold have him a "baby" cowboy hat.😂😂😂😆

[@jesselewis525]

When he cut that promo on HHH, with the little stuffed gorilla and he pulled out the tiny stuffed bananas..."I...am the baby game." Lmao

[@dystopia-2121]

Getting an endorsement from the coach is always a good thing! Best wrestling channel on KZbin by far! Keep it up!

[@kutulukutu]

Nice shout-out!!! You deserve it. You definitely put the work in🤘🏻

[@historygeek26]

Love your videos! Going to sit and watch this one now! Keep up the fantastic videos 😀

[@HellhammerSS]

Honestly in my 40+ years of watching wrestling, this guy literally could fit a square peg in a round hole. The dude caught on so quickly, and had a sack full of personality perfect for entertainment. A+

[@thekendemetrishow]

Good on you getting the Coach promo!

[@rauladdams5709]

Always worth saying again... Love your content! Thank you so much for the Hard work! These videos are a highpoint of every week!

[@henrikschmidt3964]

Kurt is really one of the very, very best. Like everyone, I was greatly impressed by his skill level in the ring from the very start. But I was even more impressed by his development as a promo and character. We all knew he was a sensational athlethe, but his mic skills were such a revelation. Whatever chip he may have had on his shoulder, that quickly evaporated. Perhaps the greatest all-rounder I have seen.

[@michaelaburns734]

Kurt Angle is and still one my favorite wrestlers. Hello Coach. I met him in 2000 in one of my local Truck Shops. Got his Autograph and Picture. He was WWF Champion at the time.

[@riooblivion8302]

Appreciate you and every last one of your videos man

[@carolcanuso8636]

Thank you for sharing your video 👍👍👍👍👍

[@gamerfourlife64]

One of the all time greats and unquestionably one of the best singles runs of any stars in that era title after title king of the ring he did it all an beaten the best of the best Kurt is a true legend an hero oh its true its damn true

[@eugenegorman9697]

what a shout out by coach! amazing well done.mate great videoa as always

[@_fabio1978]

Thanks for keeping the awesome content coming!

[@dvon1097]

That intro that Coach did for you was awesome!!!

[@rioducci4798]

We seriously got spoiled looking back we got some legends in the making. The best period in wrestling imo

[@daronofennell3474]

You are awesome man, I cant stop watching your vids

[@tylerdaviau4069]

I've always really enjoyed Kurt Angle. So entertaining in and out of the ring

[@utternonsenseproductions2415]

The production values of your videos are great. Charming too.

[@GrayFox8983]

What a way to start the vid! Shout out to the Coach. As always great work. Kurt Angle was a phenomenal athlete despite the way the crowd chanted "you suck" LOL

[@MacStoker]

cheers, i missed wwf that month angle arrived, there was good superclubs back then............ ;-) im going to enjoy this

[@ikitclaw3299]

His biggest achievement was not being killed be john DuPont

[@todhammond4471]

I adore this channel, the Irishness makes it. Thanks man

[@NaZtRdAmUs]

I really enjoyed all of Kurt Angle's work in the WWF/WWE every move he did was seamless and perfect in how it was performed such a great talent.

[@andrewmelville4570]

Great bio, great intro by The Coach

[@chriswells8094]

Outside of the Undertaker, and a few, VERY FEW others, Kurt is a GOAT. The man is on a level not many can EVER even expect to aspire to. The definition of skill.

[@craigles7]

Thanks again for yet another stellar production, Bio-Man.