Apparently Kurt Angle would return to WWE if he could work a part-time schedule, and he's in talks with WWE.
What possible interest would WWE have in a 45 year old, broken-down wrestler with mental health and substance abuse issues?
He's been off WWE TV for 8 years, which means that many of the kids and teenagers who make up a good chunk of the core audience have no memory of ever seeing him in WWE, so they'd have to build him back up again as something special.
And for what purpose? To feed him to Brock?
Is there any up-side WWE hiring Kurt Angle as a performer at this point? I can't see any.
Putting over Rusev. But that's more of a one or two shot deal where he can get the big pop on RAW for interrupting the Rusev speechifying, build up to a match at Royal Rumble where Rusev Crush, and then Rusev can bridge to the big Cena program at Wrestlemania.
Plus Kurt would be a fantastic trainer, but that's hardly a role he would want to take at this point.
How would Kurt Angle be a fantastic trainer? Being great at something doesn't mean you'd be good at teaching something
ReplyDeleteConsidering he's a legit wrestler who made the jump to "fake" pro wrestling look flawless, I'd have more faith in him teaching the new guys than someone who was molded by the company.
ReplyDeleteI always love when people talk about who "today's fan" supposedly won't remember. Guess those surprise RR appearances for guys like Diesel and Godfather and the subsequent pop they get is just 100 really loud people.
ReplyDeleteHim vs Bryan would be great also. That's about it IMO.
ReplyDeleteWe know how many fans from the Attitude Era came back during the Summer of Punk, wouldn't an Angle return do the same?
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think the emailer underestimates how many fans are still around that were watching 8-9 years ago.
This is neither here nor there but Angle wearing the wig under the head gear after losing the hair vs hair match to Edge will always be one of my favorite things in wrestling.
ReplyDeleteI don't give a shit if he's broken down, middle aged & crazy, hopped up on thousands of pills, if I hear that music hit I am jumping out of my chair and chanting You Suck at the top of my lungs. Even if it's just to put over Rusev I'd go crazy for a short Angle return.
ReplyDeleteI really am starting to hate the "current fans won't know who he is" statement.
ReplyDeleteI mean, I get there's no DVDs with Kurt Angle on it, or some streaming service that they could use that has all the old PPVs on it, but come on!
Always annoyed he left before WWE could do a big career DVD for him. This would be a good way to correct that.
ReplyDeletePlus a lot of current fans probably know him from watching Impact... Nah, probably not.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I don't care if he wrestles again, I just want a Kurt Angle blu ray with a documentary.
ReplyDeleteBecause people deserve a second chance. An American Hero deserves a second chance. Because people like to see a familiar face and they like it when that familiar face has gone through shit and come out the other side in tact.
ReplyDeleteBecause lets face it - we all have shit, we all have vices and issues and drama and crap to deal with - and we don't get the glory or the stardom or the single minded purpose of being a popular entertainer.
So it's fun for people who are in the know to call Kurt Angle, a guy who wrestled with a broken freakin' neck, broken down, and to call out his abuse issues and mental health status, because it makes us feel somehow superior. Why the FUCK would we want *that* loser, right, despite the fact that loser has won more than all of us on this little blog could even dream of winning in our wettest of dreams.
But no...we don't wish the best or have hope for those the WWE may bring back into the old like that uncle who was in prison six months and just wants to feel like he's a part of something.
I for one hope Kurt comes back and is better than ever. Will it happen, can it happen? Probably not. But hoping for it is certainly better for the soul, and I'd say karma, than calling a guy you've never met hobbled crazy addict.
I'd bet money that Resuv/Angle would hit 4 stars easy.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the tone of this person asking the question either. Angle was badass for wrestling, he deserves better than that
ReplyDeleteDiesel and Godfather get recognized at airports! Show some respect!
ReplyDeleteIt was funny but he was way past the point of his career to be playing a joke character like that.
ReplyDeleteHas Scott ever ranted on Great American Bash 99? I can't find it anywhere.
ReplyDeleteWhy do u say fans came back for punk?? Ppvs and ratings did nothing.
ReplyDeleteYea, and look where his style got him. I don't know if you'd want someone passing that down
ReplyDeleteThe buyrate for Summerslam was atrocious
ReplyDeleteI always liked goofy Angle, personally.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I couldn't find it because it was listed as 96 for some reason.
ReplyDeleteIt's fair enough if you think the negatives outweigh the positives for an Angle return. But Angle is charismatic and great in the ring (yes, even today). For audiences not familiar with him, it is incredibly easy to build him up by citing his Olympic Gold medal & his WWE history. His money matches are obviously Bryan and Rusev, but you could also run fresh and interesting programs with Rollins, Reigns, Ambrose, upcoming NXT guys, Cesaro, Swagger, Lesnar, and more.
ReplyDeleteWWE would be silly to not carefully consider an Angle run (be it a couple of one-off matches, or a schedule similar to HBK's recent runs). It might be they decide against it because of his health and/or past problems--but they should absolutely give it some thought.
They did nothing because WWE killed the storyline before it could even get started.
ReplyDeleteMoney in the Bank had a decent increase in buys, right? From there though they kinda blew any momentum they had after Del Rio got the belt at summerslam.
ReplyDeleteDefine atrocious.
ReplyDeleteHe was too damn good at everything
ReplyDeleteLowest since 1997
ReplyDeleteIt's a combination of punk and the company
ReplyDeleteAlso want to add that one of my best friends hadn't watched since 2005 and I had him over for Money in the Bank and he got back into watching full time. He still watched even after punk left.
ReplyDeleteYou're correct. Punk is an Internet darling but he didn't move numbers at all. I even question his mainstream recognition to be honest
ReplyDeleteMultiple championships and millions of dollars? The other stuff was due to his schedule and Vince running him into the ground more than anything.
ReplyDeleteLol. There are always stories like that. I'm sure the hornswaggle vs torito story line brought a kid into liking wrestling. Doesn't make it a large scale thing.
ReplyDeletePoint is, the promo got some kind of interest from from AE fans or fans who haven't watched in a few years.
ReplyDeleteCan't really blame them for dipping again after Summerslam.
Goofy Angle was awesome. Those backstage things with Stone Cold were some of best backstage things ever...
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Kurt back. Hell, anything new (I know) or different. For those of you who don't want to...there are plenty of Kane and Big Show matches waiting.
ReplyDeleteAs for him being substance-y, give him a shot, and if he screws up, oh well. There are plenty of Kane and Big Show matches waiting.
Multiple trips to rehab, DWIs and serious injuries? Whenever I see him wrestle it just makes me sad.
ReplyDeleteFor those that watch Impact, can Angle still go? Last match of his that I watched was him and Kennedy in a cage and it was pretty damn good but that was a few years ago at least.
ReplyDeletePunk is no big mainstream guy, anybody that thinks he is that big, is crazy...
ReplyDeletePeople seem to mistake "WWE is obsessed with marketing towards the younger market" with "most of the audience is made up of the younger market", which isn't true at all
ReplyDeleteI wonder if that's why he's asking for a light schedule? He knows he can't handle and if he even remotely attempted it, he'd fall back into his old habits.
ReplyDeleteIt's our hottest storyline in years! What do we do next? Kevin Nash! Fake text messages! Smell the money!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly crap, that was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteAngle was weird in that he could be a giant doofus and also a dangerous psychopath all at the same time. It worked.
ReplyDeleteIf Angle comes back can it be revealed in kayfabe terms that Swagger is his illegitimate son? Then have them tag and win the belts with ankle locks in stereo as both opponents tap. That would actually be great. I'm going to compliment myself on this great idea. Great job.
ReplyDeleteA Kurt blu ray and retirement match would be $$$$.
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'd buy the blu ray and a vintage style "it's true" shirt.
ReplyDeleteSlater Gator is a draw I don't care what anyone says.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like he worked more dangerously than most. Some people are injury prone. I'm still amazed he did that half assed neck surgery over 10 yrs ago and he's still walking. I don't think he any subsequent neck surgery did he?
ReplyDeleteThen we get the four I's. Intelligence, Integrity, Intensity and Illegitimate Children.
ReplyDeleteYou guys still but DVDs? I'm too lazy to put one in a DVD player and watch. I'm actually becoming too lazy to watch recorded shows on the DVr anymore. Just got around to sins of anarchy last night.
ReplyDeleteA fifth eye, Inebriated Driving?
ReplyDeleteI'll buy maybe 3 or 4 blu rays a year still. An Angle blu ray I would easily buy. Bought the Sting and Goldberg sets this year. Planning on getting the Macho Man doc next month when it comes out. Still need to get that Heyman set.
ReplyDeleteKurt Angle is fucking great.
ReplyDeleteSwagger and Angle both got DUIs didn't they? Maybe they are father and son.
ReplyDeleteAngle is my favorite ever so I'm biased but this seems like a no-brainer to me. The idea of that fantastic music hitting for a surprise return is the coolest thing I could possibly imagine. I'd pick an Angle comeback over Punk, Austin or any other dream scenario. I don't get why it has to be just nostalgia either. I think he still has tremendous value.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about a further program, but with 40 people in the Rumble this year, I'm sure he'll be a surprise entrant. Not entirely what he wants, but I'm sure he'd still do it.
ReplyDeleteI read that as Swaggle and Anger.
ReplyDeleteEven better would be an Elimination Chamber or Rumble spot where they each put an Ankle Lock on one leg of the same opponent.
ReplyDeleteThen Swagger turns on him, disowns him and brings in Jeff Jarrett as his new dad.
ReplyDeleteNo weaknesses whatsoever, professionally at leasr. And when he can't go anymore, kick Lawler to the curb, Kurt on color as an over the top heel cheerleader could be awesome.
ReplyDeleteBeen re-reading all the WCW rants in reverse order all day. 1999 is the year they really should have started pushing Jericho, Eddie, Rey, and Benoit. What also hurt them is whiffing on ECW guys. How do you sign Sandman and Whipwreck but not the Dudleyz and Taz?
ReplyDeleteNo idea, because he's been injured for a while now.
ReplyDeleteOh I still prefer DVD/Blu-Rays as I love extras of commentaries and such. And WWE's last few have been great from the Heyman set to the WCW OMG one.
ReplyDeleteHeyman one is AWESOME from the fantastic doc to the slews of classic promos.
ReplyDeleteRusev isn't the only feud for Angle, either. Assuming he gets a part-time schedule that saves his body, I'd love to see him square off against Bryan in a ***** wrestling clinic. I'd also be very many kinds of in for a feud between Angle and Cesaro, Angle and Dolph, or Angle and Rollins. Angle's willingness to show ass would go a long way to legitimizing three great workers who've been at least somewhat held back by being booked against guys who either don't show a ton of ass for them (Cena's the biggest culprit here, but Kane's a crappy seller even when he tries not to be, Miz/Sandow don't actually matter enough to help anyone by losing, and Sheamus only seems to show ass for Hunter, JoMo, and that one time for Daniel Bryan at Extreme Rules).
ReplyDeleteAngle can go in there, kick the crap out of them for twenty minutes, eat the comeback, and then get all of his heat back a week later with a promo/putting an ankle lock on his next opponent's manager/girlfriend/father/midget.
Angle endorses Swagger and then turns on him for being a poor excuse for a Real American.
ReplyDeleteRusev clears house and is the last guy standing. Angle's music hits and he eliminates Rusev to later put him over at Mania.
ReplyDeleteTaz was short, and really he didn't do much in WWF once he was signed, but I believe there was talk at one point in 99 of Taz coming in as a Cruiserweight killer.
ReplyDeleteDudleys, I don't think you can really blame WCW missing the boat on them since they didn't really start to show any sings of promise until they'd wrestled the Hardyz and Edge & Christian a bunch of times.
Also a good idea.
ReplyDeleteYup, that'd work.
ReplyDeleteDudleyz were pretty much a no brainer to make it big. They were on fire their last year and half in ECW.
ReplyDeleteI've added and removed it from my amazon cart a few times. Don't know why I can't pull the trigger.
ReplyDeleteShut up Meekin
ReplyDeleteAngle would be terrible. Really don't get the 'great' wrestler talk.
ReplyDelete"Okay, after you do a takedown, immediately attempt a moonsault off the cage."
"Should we really escalate the moves so early in a match?"
"BLRGH!!!"
I actually really enjoyed the 40 man Rumble because, with so many people, they were able to do the story of Nexus dominating through sheer numbers and they were about halfway done by the end of it.
ReplyDeleteYour idea would be another fantastic example of this if that's indeed what were to happen. Rusev comes in at, say, number 6 and clears the ring and then eliminates people one by one. Angle's music hits and the place will go fucking insane.
No weaknesses...except for his complete lack of ability at psychology or pacing.
ReplyDeleteUgh your shit is awful Meekin. Shut up.
ReplyDeletePeople deserve a second chance?
ReplyDeleteUh, not if that second chance will kill you.
If you ever watched The Wrestler, were you happy when Randy decided that wrestling was more important that his daughter/life?
Derek Carr...you son of a bitch.
ReplyDelete8 years? Fans are still chanting Sexual Chocolate!
ReplyDeleteAngle will be back, because Vince just cant resist those big crowd pops when someone makes a cameo/return. And I will take Angle back with one leg and a FREAKING BROKEN NECK before I will watch Batista again. It's a done deal to me, and I cant wait.
I don't entirely disagree, but this is not the team to prove or disprove it
ReplyDeleteTime to drop the Charger defense. What a worthless pile of shit.
ReplyDeleteUnless you have a top two or three D, I find streaming to work the best... I grabbed GB last week as soon as Ponder was announced as starter and hit the jackpot.
ReplyDeleteThe fact you picked them up in the first place.....
ReplyDeleteGo cowboys!!!!! Fuck the Seahawks. Hate that team, and that somehow they are "local" to Oregon.
ReplyDeleteDidn't HHH basically put a bullet in this topic weeks ago by stating WWE wasn't interested? I know he doesn't have final say, but it sounded pretty definitive to me.
ReplyDeleteWhile I've taken the cynical view that since Angle is tied to the company no matter what and any negative press will be deflected back towards them by the Nancy Graces of the world no matter how hard they distance themselves from the guy, they might as well sign him to a short-term deal and milk as much money out of him (if there's any to be had) as possible before the inevitable happens. But I could certainly understand if they weighed all the options and still say "no thanks, not worth the headache."
I hate this anti Kurt Angle bullshit.
ReplyDeleteThis seems like one of those games where if the Raiders win, the black hole will calling for playoffs.
ReplyDeleteI'll just be happy with a win. 10 losses in a row is way too many. Just (1) Win, Baby.
ReplyDeleteI picked them up last week and the so called experts had them ranked No.1, so I rolled with them.
ReplyDeleteHow is it bullshit? He doesn't have the best track record. Dude was fired for a reason
ReplyDeleteCome on Raiders I don't ask for much. All I'm asking for is a 5 minute touchdown drive. That's it!
ReplyDeleteMaybe Kurt needs to move in with DDP for a few weeks. That seems to convince WWE that folks are ready for a HoF induction and TV cameo.
ReplyDeleteVery naive to say fans 'won't remember' Kurt Angle. He was a huge star in WWE and it's been proven over and over again that wrestling fans have very long term memories especially for the true superstars which I believe Angle was. Also WWE are very good at promoting guys coming back he'll get the true superstar build up. Both parties potentially can get a lot from this providing the booking is smart.
ReplyDeleteOr a quick 3-and-out. That'll do too.
ReplyDeleteI love Kurt motherfucking Angle. People were still holding resentment for HBK after his hiatus *ahem*Scott*ahem*, but look what Shawn did with that second chance. Broken back. Substance abuse. Shitty attitude. And he ended up having an, arguably, better second half of his career.
ReplyDeleteI know Kurt is older than Shawn was when he returned and some of this is apples to oranges, but give Angle another shot and see what happens. I hope it comes to fruition.
Thanks for being a realist.
ReplyDeleteWell Oregon has no NFL team to call their own and the teams geographically close to them are the 49ers,Raiders and Seahawks.
ReplyDeleteOh my god if they really are that intent on having Cena beat Rusev at Mania I cannot WAIT for the cacophony of boos raining down from the international audience. Serves them right.
ReplyDeleteWHAT A CATCH
ReplyDeleteSo much for that first Raiders win.
ReplyDeleteChargers not covering is the first heavy public team not covering all day. So many people are 5-1, 6-1 even better than that.
ReplyDeleteGuess a perfect day in the NFL is pretty hard to do.
It's very weird. Smarks love to tear down anyone has any problems. Same with Bret and Ric.
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me a lot of Eddy Guerrero, actually: if the trade-off for him never making that big WWE comeback in 2002 and ultimately winning the title was another 20 years or so of relative good health spent with with his wife and family, then I would wish him well and hope he stayed retired. Especially since it's been established that he was fairly miserable and in pain for most of that time.
ReplyDeleteWhat means a lot to us as fans doesn't always translate into what's best for the wrestler in question.
And the Bears finally remember how to play a good second half to put the Falcons down in Atlanta, not bad.
ReplyDeleteNo, which is why I will always stand up for Punk walking out.
ReplyDeleteWrestlers, no performers, don't owe us shit. If they feel like they should walk away, let them walk the fuck away. They're not our dancing monkeys, they're not our slaves, they're people with the right to do or not do whatever they want to do.
And WWE has the obligation to stop people who don't want to or can't stop themselves.
Shawn took four years to get his life back in order. Kurt's been wrestling constantly at a place with less regulations and oversight.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be like instead of Shawn's hiatus, he was working at ECW.
It's a bias based on stuff that happened 8 years ago. Kurt has been largely off the road and hasn't had any recent incidents that I can recall. His body is probably healed up a bit from being away from the ring. I see no reason why he couldn't train for a comeback. Dude's an athlete
ReplyDeleteA) Mostly people are just saying that Kurt's body is a wreck and he shouldn't get back in the ring because he'll die. I don't hear a whole lot of personal attacks against him, just "He should retire because he's unwell and hasn't been getting better".
ReplyDeleteB) Kurt is overrated and doesn't belong in WWE's modern wrestling landscape.
C) Kurt deserves personal attacks because he's a stalker with multiple DUIs, fuck him.
He's been off the road because cops keep pulling him over.
ReplyDeleteOne of, like, five theme songs that guarantee me hopping up off the couch, along with Austin, Edge, HBK, and Punk. Maybe throw Rocky on there too, but i just saw him last week so I'd be less excited. Maybe Cactus Jack, even though Foley at this point is just a tubby Sesame Street character?
ReplyDeleteMinor threadjack, but am I the only one who thinks we're seeing Edge back in the ring in the next 2-4 years? I know, I know, neck injury… but we're talking about Angle (and his BROKEN FREAKING NECK), and the Edge thing kinda reminds me of the HBK thing where he was supposed to be done forever, then there he was four and a half years later… One has to assume Edge's neck is at least partially recovered after three years of not falling off ladders, no?
I would love to watch Angle vs. Batista, actually.
ReplyDeleteIs Rusev really that good, or are we just giving Angle that much credit?
ReplyDeleteThis was one of Angle's biggest strength to my mind - you can point to few other talents who've ever been as teflon coated as he. He was someone who was always bought as a threat and could always pop up from losses, shitty angles or middling feuds and be bought as a killer and world champ in waiting. One of the better aspects of the early-mid 00s was that the title scene *always* seemed fluid and fresh (even if the title was stuck on a single talent for a prolonged period) - there was always a large number of people who were championship material at any one time floating around for feuds and runs, and someone losing the title didn't mean their insta-bumping down the card into irrelevance. Angle was the perfect example of this - someone who could feasibly go from a mid-card feud to viable world title contender in the space of a week.
ReplyDeleteYou and I do not agree about these things you've said.
ReplyDeleteSevere neck and back problems don't magically go away. Edge's doctor told him "one bad bump and you're a paraplegic", so I'm guessing he's smart enough to stay out of the ring.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't we let these guys stay retired and enjoy their lives? I swear, we won't be satisfied until someone ends up paralyzed or dead in the ring again.
Yeah, it's amazing that they decided to bring in perhaps the two key figures from ECW who could only possibly have ever succeeded in ECW, with Paul's ability to cover working deficiencies and create awesome characters out of weaknesses. Sandman was an entrance and garbage brawler, Whipwreck a product of the company's fucked up logic and dynamic.
ReplyDeletePicking nits here, but…
ReplyDelete1) Shawn's behavior during the first three years of his sabbatical is arguably worse than anything wrestling can do to a person, at least on a TNA schedule.
2) Technically, Shawn did work one match during that stretch, though it was pretty garbage and for a nothing organization (that Shawn owned).
Don't put him in there with Lesnar. They had great matches back when, but Lesnar's whole deal these days is tossing guys around on their necks, and Angle's neck is basically balsa wood and silly putty at this point.
ReplyDeleteA bit of both.
ReplyDeleteSure, but Shawn's doctor told him "you might never walk again." My point was that it's pretty conceivable that Edge has healed somewhat, and maybe that risk is gone. Maybe not, but, hey, it's a post on a message board. If nothing comes of it, I'll live.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen anything I like from Rusev yet, but I've also skipped most of his PPV stuff. I also don't watch TNA so I don't know what current Angle is really like. Guess I'll take your word for it.
ReplyDeleteThere's such a unique mystique around that Cactus Jack character and he's always been treated as special. So hearing his music would be epic. Until I remember that Cactus Jack doesn't work in PG and Foley is old now.
ReplyDeleteI think we have to accept that Shawn was a once-in-a-lifetime case and most guys won't (and shouldn't) attempt that kind of comeback. It's also possible that Shawn's hiatus was less about his back problems and more about his drug issues, and the "can never wrestle again" story was just a cover. How many aborted comebacks did he have before 2002? At least three by my count, and I'm guessing WWE wouldn't have bothered setting the groundwork if they really thought the injury was a career-ender.
ReplyDeleteIn short, I'm sure he had a serious back issue. I just wonder how severe it really was.
Kurt still has 2 or 3 good years left performing at a high level. I would love some documentation that he is still struggling with demons of any kind.
ReplyDeleteAll the mugshots and self-admitted rehab stints aren't enough? Or the glassy eyes?
ReplyDeleteDrunk drivers are scum. Sorry, but they are.
ReplyDeleteIt's why I celebrate the death of Ryan Dunn, because fuck that guy.
There's these things called "surgeries." Kurt's had several and the body never fully recovers from them.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the level of denial in the "where's the proof Kurt's got problems" crowd is reaching 9/11 Truther levels.
Really? From what I had read Eddie seemed finally at peace with his life. The only stress he had was when he had finally won the title and felt he pressure of being champion because the ratings started to sag.
ReplyDeleteHigh level.
ReplyDeleteI got the joke.
It's taken some time for the truth to come out, but I think it's fairly well established that Eddy's last few years were pretty rough on him physically and mentally, probably because he was so beat up and wasn't relying on pain killers to get him through anymore.
ReplyDeleteThere is a baffling amount of delusion around these parts that pilled-up, possibly-still-alcoholic Kurt Angle operating on at least one bum leg (only one of his injuries) can not only get medically cleared to compete, but is capable of a ****+ match with guys way younger, more mobile and more athletic.
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurt_Angle#Legal_issues
ReplyDeleteAll happened since he left WWE.
Yes, the COWBOYS just beat the Seahawks in Seattle.
ReplyDeletewhile I agree on the first part, "celebrating" someones death is pretty horrible, too.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but Kurt's popping pills, drinking like a fish and doing stupid wrestling shit.
ReplyDeleteAt least Shawn just did the first two.
Very few people do agree with me.
ReplyDeleteI personally find Kurt Angle to be the purest definition of a spot monkey. People give flippy guys shit, but I find a lot more logic in their matches than Angles suplex-reversal-suplex-moonsault-reversal-angle slam-reversal-anklelock-suplex-super angle slam-roll-up match.
I'm pretty sure the "how severe was it REALLY" argument has been roundly debunked, but I'm too lazy to look up the sources. I'd honestly argue that the Commissioner role he was given is enough of an argument against that anyway, because with him on TV, in the middle of several big angles, claiming he was done forever was a dumb way to use him relative to, say, slowly building up his comeback for a big match against HHH or Austin (and keep in mind, he didn't hit the breaking point with Vince till around XVII, so "he needed to clean up his act and they didn't' wanna book him" doesn't hold water prior tot that).
ReplyDeleteThat all said, you're quite possibly right his comeback was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and yet, many of the truly super-great have come back from stuff that should have been career ending. Broken necks for Austin and Angle, the plane crash for Flair, every fifth thing Foley did, a stroke and many concussions for Bret (granted, that last one's got a bit of an asterisk, but still). I don't remember the specifics of Edge's injury, nor am I a medical professional, but it's not hard to imagine that some (very severe) neck problems could likely be corrected and/or mitigated by three years of rest and physical therapy.
I'm not even really predicting a comeback. I just have a nagging feeling that we haven't seen the last of Edge in the ring, and I hope (assuming his health can take it) I'm right.
I'm all about a Kurt comeback. Can't talk me out of it. Hearing that music and seeing Kurt look good (everyone looks better in wwe), will make me MARK OUT BRO. The guy is an all time great and is void of a legit WWE produced dvd. If he is straight and gives it a go there is no downside.
ReplyDeleteTrue, but I'm given to understand that Shawn popped a LOT more pills. Like, Jeff Hardy at that one PPV level pills, only all the time. Maybe I'm misinformed.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Shawn was a psychopath in his first comeback match, going off ladders, through tables, and onto steel chairs for forty-five minutes. Kurt could probably be used in a safer kind of match, though I understand the bigger concern with Kurt is outside of the ring.
The guy won a gold medal with a broken neck. He's wrestled 4 star matches with a variety of injuries. He was having good matches a year ago with Bobby Roode. So I don't think it's all that delusional to think that he could have some good matches still in spite of all of his problems.
ReplyDeleteI don't think Edge is ever coming back. especially because this doesn't seem like one of those cases in which the workers sits at home desperately thinking about a return (like it seemed to have been with Michaels). iirc in Jerichos podcast Edge has flat out said that he doesn't follow the shows anymore at all.
ReplyDeleteAlso one of the few truly "Home grown" WWE guys of the last twenty years, along with Rock, Cena, and basically nobody else. Everybody else that's anywhere near his level in that span seems to have come from either WCW/ECW (Austin, Jericho, etc.), Indys (Punk, Bryan), or UFC (latter-day Brock).
ReplyDeleteThat's correct. Angle is a wwe guy. Weird to think he has been gone longer then he was in wwe
ReplyDeletewouldn't the most useless wrestler one of those that don't even have any good thing about them?
ReplyDeleteI may be biased, as I wasn't watching much during Angle's prime, and have mostly seen him in retrospect… as such, the vast majority of Angle stuff I've seen is against HBK/Austin/Benoit/Edge/Rocky/Eddie/etc., so he's basically always been in the ring with somebody who could tell a story when I've seen him. I guess I haven't seen the matches you're referring to.
ReplyDeleteYikes. I had read Jericho's second book and based on his dealings with Eddie, he always seemed really content with life, thanks to his newfound faith.
ReplyDeletewhat/how do you watch instead? or don't you watch any shows at all anymore?
ReplyDeletebtw: IF the WWE decides to rehire him it seems very unlikely they will "waste" his comeback instead of trying to squeeze some ratings out of it (as they did with Batista). which means that a "surprise return" will probably not happen.
ReplyDeleteOrton is also homegrown.
ReplyDeleteHe could absolutely have good matches even now.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I really have to shake my head at people who say "why would the WWE want Angle?" Or "why would the WWE want Sting?" Because the WWE is in business to make money, and nostalgia=money, particularly in the wrestling business. It's ridiculous to say that younger fans wouldn't know who Angle or Sting are because, guess what?, if they don't than the WWE simply has to make a video showing their history and importance. Many older fans want to see one last nostalgic run for these guys, and, just a hunch, they'll probably pay money to see it. Hell, the new Sting DVD is the number one sports related DVD on the sales charts right now and WCW DVDs are consistently some of the top sellers out of all the WWE DVDs on sale, explain that, the company's been dead for 14 years. Kurt Angle still has something to offer the WWE and not bringing him in for a last run would be leaving money on the table. If they can bring back RVD and Booker T, then why not Angle?
ReplyDeleteThey teased a big match with them when angle jumped to raw from Smackdown in 2005. They had a raw match and that was it. Contrasting styles I could have seen working.
ReplyDeletei remember the taz in wcw Rumor also. That probably would of been awesome. If he came in and just tossed the cruisers around.
ReplyDeleteI think angle coming out, cleaning house but being tossed by Rusev. Followed by angle running back in and hitting the Olympic slam on and another face tossing Rusev. Then Rusev looking to CRUSH angle.
ReplyDeleteYep. To add on to that, people love to imagine younger fans don't know any older wrestlers, but think of yourself at that age. When I was a kid, I was obsessed with wrestling and would rent tons of old tapes from before I watched. I started watching 89/90 but I knew all the 80s guys from old stuff. It's not difficult to think that some ten year old knows who Angle is from watching old shit on the network.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't want to see Angle vs. Bryan, in whatever form it might still exist, then you might as well just go make some toast in the bathtub, because you're already dead inside.
ReplyDeleteBryan could probably carry Kurt to something pretty fun.
ReplyDeleteJust watch things on DVr. Can't be bothered with physical DVD anymore. Too much effort. They're going the way of the dinosaur anyway - everything is moving to streaming.
ReplyDeleteWhen a drunk driver puts your mother in the hospital, putting her out of work for a year, and then has the balls to SUE HER because he injured his shoulder and "couldn't hold his own child", well, I think I'm justified in my horribleness.
ReplyDeleteAnd the sad thing is people acted like Dunn was some kind of martyr when he died. He took another person's life in that fiery crash too, had just gotten married.
Have you seen Kurt Angle? Every time I watched TNA, it looked like no one was home
ReplyDeleteI don't want to see Kurt Angle with his glassy eyes and dead arm. I also don't want to see be on the road when he leaves a live show
ReplyDeleteHow I would do it:
ReplyDelete1. Surprise return entry into Royal Rumble match. Huge pop, gets to eliminate some guys and hit all the favorite spots. Goes up against Rusev and they eliminate each other.
2. Puts Rusev over at Wrestlemania 31 in a hard-fought loss. Go with the "ring rust" kind of narrative and have Kurt give a heart-felt promo the next night on Raw saying how he won't waste his opportunity to be back "home" in WWE and that he will train, get back into top form, and work his way back up from the bottom.
3. Run with the theme of Kurt working his way back up from the bottom, working with guys like Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, Jack Swagger, etc. Angle works competitive matches with these guys and gradually climbs through the ranks.
4. Angle earns his way back up the card and enters the Money in the Bank ladder match. Either have him win it and hang on to the briefcase til he feels "ready", or just have him make a great showing and save a title match for later.
5. Angle earns his way into the title picture for one of the big PPVs. Either have him win the title to cap off a redemption/comeback story, or have him come up just short to put a heel WAY over.
6. Do the stuff people still want to see--a match with Daniel Bryan, maybe another match with Cena, etc.
7. Then Kurt can either go away again or maybe do some mid-card stuff (tag team with Swagger? Work with NXT folks?). Do a DVD that includes his comeback run, put him in the HOF and let him go out strong (or become a trainer if there was interest)
I could see Angle in a ladder match not ending well. Maybe it's for the best if WWE doesn't sign him?
ReplyDeletePsychology maybe, but ability????? If Kurt Angle, an Olympic gold medalist, doesn't have wrestling ability, who does?
ReplyDeleteHe's also dull as dishwater. Angle at least has music that'll pop a crowd. Ortons music hits and people go take a leak
ReplyDeleteWatch his TNA stuff, and you'll see what I mean.
ReplyDeleteAnd the fact that you've only seen him with ring generals is very damning, IMO. When working with great wrestlers who can pace a match, he can follow their advice and guidance and it works. When he's the guy calling the match? It's a horrendous spotfest.
He's obviously got the physical qualifications to do great wrestling, but his lack of understanding for what makes wrestling work (storytelling, not physicality) makes his solo matches stink.
Hence the mention of psychology and pacing, not physical ability, mate
ReplyDeleteAngle is a gigantic waste of potential, instead of doing the great wrestling everybody knows he can do, he spends his time killing himself on stupid spots that nobody remembers because they'll be topped by another stupid spot his next match or even within the same one.
Angle is pure proof that less is sometimes more.
It is amazing how bad the sandman is. Never really noticed it until watching his stuff now. Every match looks like the first time he saw a ring. His entrance was cool though.
ReplyDeleteBe fair. There are Also Orton Cena and mark Henry matches to be had...
ReplyDeleteMaybe Shawn is like Lemmy Kilmister, or Ozzy Osbourne and possesses a tolerance for drugs that Angle doesn't have.
ReplyDeleteAnd Shawn's breakdown happened in his mid-30s, not his mid-40s. Angle is an old man who's never had a real break and has cascading injuries and a drug problem for a decade plus. Maybe he's better now, but he's had DUIs pretty fucking recently, so I really don't think he's ready to come back.
And saying "well Shawn did it so Angle can do it" is faulty logic, Shawn did it, but that doesn't mean he should have done it.
Just play his music once and everyone will remember.
ReplyDeleteHe went to the ring to sweet child o' mine. It was totally worth alienating his daughter
ReplyDelete*shakes head* OK.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Edge was so injured that he had to retire immediately without even dropping the world title is a big red flag that his neck is totally shot. If he'd had even a hint of being able to kinda work, he would've jobbed at WM27 or done a job to at least pass the belt on while he's on the way out.
ReplyDeleteIn Sheamus' defense, I think he's actually a pretty terrific seller. He gets over being in an actual fight --- he's always breathing hard, his body is all red, he has a great 'dazed' look.
ReplyDeleteIs there a twitter account or somewhere to keep up with these type of Network announcements?
ReplyDeleteYeah, @WWE_Network_Bot tweets when a new video is uploaded to the Network. It's a pretty cool resource to let you know when there's something new. You'd think that maybe WWE would even come up with something like that.
ReplyDeleteIn this instance, though, I just happened to be looking at the schedule for the week and saw those Raw episodes on there. The videos haven't been uploaded yet.
I'm a day late, but definitely. *upvote*
ReplyDeleteRegional sports broadcasts just suck, mainly because I live in Oregon and hate all the "local" teams.
ReplyDeletereally? she was fighting Bull Nakano every other week. Was there any there women for her to even wrestle?'
ReplyDeleteTHIS!! They put him over huge, he's having great matches week in and week out but I see their point a little. Flair literally towered over him here, in a world where it's Hogan v Giant in the main events I can see them not thinking Eddie was big enough. But he was totally WCW TV Title Material at the time.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't think they ever referenced Bischoff until the X-Pac return promo. It must have burned bischoff's britches that he was literally calling out Vince to Fight and Vince never even acknowledged his existence.
ReplyDeleteThat elbowdrop after the missed splash should have been the finish. It would have given Savage a big win and they could sell it as Giant making a rookie mistake, thus keeping him strong.
ReplyDelete