For many of us outside the wrestling business, the release of Kurt Angle from the WWE is a surprise like no other (I don’t care what you may have heard on a premium or elite site… the release is still shocker). The situation is obviously very serious, if WWE thought it was absolutely in the best interest for both parties to go their separate ways.
For starters, Kurt Angle’s health the past couple of months has not been great. Angle has compiled countless nagging injuries, not to mention that his neck continues to be a problem, and he tore his groin coming back from his month hiatus from ECW. There are a lot of personal issues to be dealt with as well. I am not an insider nor do I have direct sources in the company. So to be fair, I will leave the personal issues to your imagination. The most that I will comment on is, now with some time off, I hope Angle uses the time wisely, is able to naturally heal any aches and pains, and work towards becoming 100% healthy. Angle and his wife are supposed to be getting a divorce, while she also is pregnant with his son. There is a lot on the plate now with Kurt Angle.
With Angle now gone from WWE, what happens next with him? While it remains unknown, it is speculated that Angle has a ninety day “no-complete clause,” preventing him from appearing or wrestling with a WWE competitor. That clause is written into the contracts for most, if not all of WWE’s wrestlers, so I honestly wouldn’t expect anything different with Kurt Angle. That is a good thing, because Angle obviously could use the ninety days to recover, emotionally, mentally and physically.
After the ninety days are up, then I suppose anything can happen. It would not surprise me at all to hear TNA begin talking with Angle, because let’s face it… TNA generally takes the opportunity to talk to any former WWE star. Would ROH be interested in Kurt Angle? Is it in the best interest of TNA or ROH to bring in Kurt Angle?
My answer, from the outside looking in, would be NO. WWE released Angle for a reason. They could have kept him under contract and allowed him to take a paid leave of absence. They released him. From what WWE posted on their website, they did not want to do it, but they were left with no other choice. WWE realizes that Angle could end up wrestling somewhere else, but they felt it was in there best interest (and his too, I would assume), to let him go. The WWE website even mentioned they hope to work with him in the near future.
What would Kurt Angle do? The question to ask, I suppose would be, is Kurt Angle mad at the WWE right now? Who knows what took place at the meeting between Angle and WWE on Friday. If Angle is bitter about it right now, maybe he won’t be in three months or later after that. Angle is such a competitor and always has his gear in drive that I could see him wanting to return to action in three months. But if what he said was true on the WWE.com site about being worn out, then hopefully he sees WWE’s point of view.
Right now I am hoping for the best as far as Kurt Angle goes. Kurt must rest up, and hopefully he will realize, that WWE made this move in the best interest for both parties. If WWE did not put a stop to all of this, how much longer could Angle have gone without seriously hurting himself or someone else?
It is time for Kurt Angle to stop thinking about the short term, and start thinking long term. Angle’s legacy is already pretty damn good, in my opinion. There isn’t much more Angle can do to elevate it, in my opinion. Angle probably wouldn’t have many years left as an active wrestler, so it would be foolish to put his body on the line and try to do as much as he can. Angle, in my opinion, would be far better off in the long term, pacing himself, and having a few meaningful matches here and there, versus taking bumps night after night.
At the very end, it is all up to Kurt Angle. While the WWE has delivered the message that they want him to get well, it is still up to him. Does Angle recognize the problem? And if so, does he recognize that he must make several changes? It is up to Kurt to decide for himself how many changes are necessary, and if he is willing to go through with them. WWE sent him the message, but it is now up to him to act on it.
I wish Kurt the very best. He has given it all for the wrestling fans, and I am grateful for being able to witness from the start of his WWE career. I only hope that Kurt doesn’t develop any bitterness over this, and try to stick it to WWE by going with TNA. I hope Angle sees the message that WWE delivered, and uses the next few months wisely, to get healthy physically, mentally and emotionally. Whatever happens… happens. This is at least one occasion, where you can’t point a finger on the WWE.
.:: Odds & Ends ::.
– Perhaps I will write a future column on this. I think Shawn Michaels is better served as a single face, going against the odds vs. the up and coming heel. Two wrestlers I would like to see him involved with would be Edge, and a heel John Cena. I think either of those programs have money written all over them. It sure would beat another month of Cena vs. Edge.
– A story in the Washington Post quotes The Rock saying he is finished with wrestling. I don’t see how he could not be done with wrestling. His last match as far as I remember was WrestleMania 20 (him and Foley vs. Orton, and I think Batista). The last appearance I remember him making was during the first diva search contest, and while it was cool to see him come out, his act got old after 3 minutes.
As entertaining as The Rock was back as the corporate champion, and shortly after as a face, I don’t want to see him back in wrestling. He could never be the same character he was back in 1998-99, and I didn’t like the direction it went towards the end of his WWE run. Having said that, I am glad he found a way to make a living without taking bumps in the ring, and I am happy for him. He seems like a genuine nice guy and always wish him the best. I thank him for the memories he brought back on Monday and Thursday nights, but as for 2006 and beyond, I simply would not want to see him back in wrestling.
– Is TNA going to make a DVD about Sting in the future? I keep reading about the idea of it happening. I certainly hope not. Thing how much of a clusterfuck it would turn out. Most of Sting’s memorable matches were with WCW, and guess who owns the WCW video library now. BINGO! It would be a waste of time, because without the classic matches, but good is the DVD anyways?
– Last Friday, I watched Smackdown for the first time in months. Prior to that, I would read the recaps and think, how the hell could anyone watch this crap? While I am unfamiliar with most of Smackdown’s roster (I couldn’t identify who Lashley is), I like the King Booker gimmick. I’m not down with Batista, however. The guy bores me to tears and comes off as a complete stiff. And if the backstage rumors are true, many people in WWE feel Batista doesn’t even deserve to be one of the top guys on the brand. I look forward to giving Smackdown another try when it debuts on the CW Network. Maybe then, WWE will give a rat’s ass about it.
– Speaking of Booker… how long until Triple H sues Booker for gimmick infringement? Perhaps Booker is the king, but in HHH’s mind, he is the king of kings. So where does that leave Jerry Lawler?
– WWE has signed three contestants from the diva search. No surprise. They always do that. Except for not winning the $250,000 for winning the contest, I would rather just lose out and sign later for less. If you are the winner, there is a certain expectation you must live up to. At least with the others, expectations are not quite as high, and if you succeed beyond what is expected of you, thus earn your spot, you will be better respected in the long run, and the chances of you sticking around longer are much higher.
That will do it for this column. Have a good week.
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