Why Did Kurt Angle Leave WWE? Reason Revealed Here
by R Vigneshwaraa | Updated Jun 01, 2023
Who is Kurt Angle?
Kurt Angle, born on December 9, 1968, is a fascinating figure in the world of professional wrestling. His journey is filled with remarkable achievements and incredible feats both in and out of the wrestling ring. From his success as an amateur wrestler to his legendary career in WWE and TNA, Angle's story is one that piques curiosity.
Angle first gained recognition as a collegiate wrestler at Clarion University of Pennsylvania. There, he earned numerous accolades, including two NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in the heavyweight division. His prowess on the mat continued to shine as he won the gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1995 World Wrestling Championships.
What makes this victory even more astonishing is that he accomplished it with a broken neck. Angle's determination and resilience are truly awe-inspiring. However, his wrestling journey didn't stop there. Angle went on to compete in the 1996 Summer Olympics, where he defied the odds once again by winning the gold medal in freestyle wrestling.
This remarkable achievement solidified his place in wrestling history, as he became one of only four individuals to achieve the amateur grand slam by winning the Junior Nationals, NCAA, World Championships, and the Olympics. Angle's transition into professional wrestling occurred in 1996, and he soon caught the attention of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE).
Known for his quick grasp of the business, Angle wasted no time making an impact. Within days of training, he had his debut match in the company's developmental system and made his televised in-ring debut shortly after. Angle's meteoric rise in WWE began in February 2000 when he held both the European and Intercontinental Championships simultaneously, earning him his first major push in the company.
Throughout his career, Angle amassed an impressive list of accomplishments, including holding the WWE Championship four times, as well as the WCW Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship. He is also recognized as the tenth Triple Crown champion and the fifth winner of the Grand Slam. In 2017, Angle's contributions to the industry were acknowledged as he was rightfully inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Kurt Angle's story is one of unwavering determination, overcoming physical challenges, and achieving greatness in the world of wrestling. His remarkable journey has captivated fans around the world and solidified his place as one of the most respected and revered figures in the sport.
Why Did Kurt Angle Leave WWE?
On August 25, 2006, due to health concerns, Angle received an early release from his WWE contract. As revealed in the documentary DVD Kurt Angle: Champion, he openly discussed the reasons behind his decision to part ways with WWE. Angle explained that his departure was prompted by his inability to take time off and the fact that he had been persistently working through injuries, some of which were quite severe.
Following his release from WWE in 2006, Kurt Angle continued his wrestling career in various promotions. He made his way to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA, now known as Impact Wrestling) and became one of the company's biggest stars. Angle's tenure in TNA was marked by numerous memorable matches and championship reigns.
During his time in TNA, Angle faced several health challenges. He battled through injuries and underwent multiple surgeries to address his physical ailments. Despite these setbacks, Angle maintained his commitment to delivering exceptional performances in the ring. In addition to his wrestling career, Angle has been open about his struggles with substance abuse and addiction. He sought treatment and embarked on a journey of recovery, sharing his experiences to raise awareness about the issue and inspire others facing similar challenges.
In recent years, Angle has made appearances in various wrestling promotions, including WWE. He has also been involved in mentoring and coaching aspiring wrestlers, passing on his knowledge and passion for the sport. Through his ups and downs, Kurt Angle's contributions to the wrestling industry and his resilience in the face of health issues have solidified his status as one of the most respected and influential figures in professional wrestling.
Kurt Angle Wife
Kurt Angle has indeed been married twice. His first wife is Karen Smedley. They were married in 1998 and have two children together, a daughter named Kyra and a son named Kody. Karen Smedley was also involved in the wrestling industry, working as a valet and manager for Kurt Angle during his time in WWE.
After his divorce from Karen Smedley, Kurt Angle married Giovanna Yannotti, who is now known as Giovanna Yannotti Angle. They tied the knot on July 20, 2012. Giovanna Yannotti is an actress and model who has appeared in various films and television shows. She has been a supportive partner to Kurt Angle and has accompanied him to public appearances and events. Kurt Angle and Giovanna Yannotti Angle are currently married and continue to share their lives together.
Kurt Angle WWE Debut
But Kurt Angle’s first match was not seen as a very promising start by the fans. Even though he made his wrestling debut against Tiger Ali Singh his first match was against Shawn Stasiak in 1999. During an episode of The Kurt Angle Show, he talked about his first-ever match in WWE,
“I was nervous as hell. I never did it before, and this was my debut. I was wrestling Shawn, and I was familiar with Shawn because I started training with him. So, we had a few dark matches we had done before. But this was very scary. This was my debut and I was more concerned about getting everything right.The crazy thing is, during the match in the middle of it, the fans were chanting ‘boring.’
The referee comes to me – Shawn has me in a chokehold – and the [referee] says, ‘Listen, Vince wants you to beat up Shawn, go outside the ring, grab the microphone, and say you do not chant boring to an Olympic gold medalist. I came here for you.’ I was like holy shit.
I never did this before, and nobody warned me ahead of time. This was an improvisation by Vince. I paused for a second, and the ref said you’ve gotta do it. I said, ‘What does he want me to do again?’ He had to repeat it again, and I went out and I did it.“The fans reacted and chanted ‘boring’ even louder. So, we got the reaction we wanted. The match was good, it wasn’t great. We didn’t have a lot of time, but I thought the match was very smooth. It was decent.”
Kurt Angle Wrestling Career
Kurt Angle's journey in wrestling began at a young age, starting his amateur wrestling career at the age of seven. He attended Mt. Lebanon High School, where he excelled in both football and wrestling, earning varsity letters and establishing himself as an All-State linebacker. Angle's wrestling skills were evident early on as he went undefeated on the freshman wrestling team and qualified for the state wrestling tournament in his sophomore year.
He continued to impress, securing a third-place finish in the state wrestling tournament as a junior and ultimately becoming the Pennsylvania State Wrestling Champion in his senior year in 1987. After graduating from high school, Angle pursued his passion for wrestling at Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
His dedication and talent shone through as he became a two-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I champion and a three-time NCAA Division I All-American. Angle's accomplishments extended beyond collegiate wrestling, as he also claimed titles such as the 1987 USA Junior Freestyle champion, a two-time USA Senior Freestyle champion, and the 1988 USA International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles Junior World Freestyle champion.
Angle's wrestling journey continued even after college. In 1995, he achieved a remarkable feat by winning a gold medal at the FILA Wrestling World Championships in Atlanta. This victory propelled him to set his sights on the 1996 Summer Olympics, where he trained extensively under the guidance of Dave Schultz at the Pennsylvanian Foxcatcher Club. However, tragedy struck when Schultz was tragically murdered by John Eleuthère du Pont, leading Angle to leave du Pont's team and join the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club.
Why Did Kurt Angle Leave WWE - FAQs
Hall of Famer Kurt Angle was released from WWE in 2020. Turns out he's currently under contract with the company. It's been more than two year since WWE released Kurt Angle from his contract as a backstage producer, but as it turns out, he is currently signed to a deal with the company.
Angle departed WWE in 2006, but his seven years as a Superstar raised the level of competitiveness for the entire roster and gave the WWE Universe some of the greatest bouts of all time. His three I's made him an easy selection for the WWE Hall of Fame's Class of 2017 and a full-time role in WWE as Raw General Manager.
Ultimately, Kurt Angle never wrestled another headlining match at WrestleMania outside of his match against Brock Lesnar in 2003 but he would retire at WrestleMania in 2019 against Baron Corbin
Cena made his WWE television debut on the June 27 episode of SmackDown! by answering an open challenge by Kurt Angle. After declaring he possessed "ruthless aggression", he lost by a pinning combination, but put on a good showing.
During his WWE career run, Angle broke his neck in 2003 prior to WrestleMania 19. It happened in a match where he took a bump into a turnbuckle. It nearly cost him his spot in the WrestleMania 19 main event when he lost the WWE Title to Brock Lesnar.