View source for Kurt Angle

{{Short description|American professional wrestler (born 1968)}}
{{distinguish|Kurt Engl}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox professional wrestler
| name         = Kurt Angle
| image        = Kurt Angle Photo Op GalaxyCon Raleigh 2024.jpg
| caption      = Angle in 2024
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1968|12|9|mf=y}}
| birth_place  = [[Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania|Mt. Lebanon]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| spouse       = {{plain list|
* {{marriage|[[Karen Smedley]]|1998|2008|reason=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Giovanna Yannotti|2012}}
  }}
| children     = 6
| relatives    = {{plain list|
*[[Eric Angle]] (brother)
*[[Jon Bernthal]] (nephew-in-law)
}}
| names        = Kurt Angle
| height       = 6 ft 0 in<ref name="WWEAlumni">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/kurt-angle|title=Kurt Angle|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=November 8, 2016}}</ref>
| weight       = 220 lb<ref name="WWEAlumni"/>
| billed       = [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]
| trainer      = {{ubl|[[Dory Funk Jr.]]|[[Tom Prichard]]}}
| debut        = August 20, 1998
| retired      = [[WrestleMania 35|April 7, 2019]]
| website      = [https://kurtanglebrand.com kurtanglebrand.com]
| module    = {{Infobox sportsperson
| child     = yes
| nocat_wdimage = yes
| name = Olympic Kurt Angle
| headercolor = lightsteelblue
| show-medals = yes
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalSport|Men's [[freestyle wrestling]]}}
{{MedalCountry|the {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Wrestling at the Summer Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Atlanta]]|[[Wrestling at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's freestyle 100 kg|100 kg]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FILA Wrestling World Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1995 World Wrestling Championships|1995 Atlanta]]|100 kg}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Wrestling World Cup|World Cup]]}}
{{MedalSilver|1995 Chattanooga|100 kg}}
{{MedalBronze|1992 Moscow|100 kg}}
{{MedalSport | [[Collegiate Wrestling]]}}
{{MedalCountry | the}} [[Clarion Golden Eagles]]
{{MedalCompetition|[[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|1990 College Park|275 lb}}
{{MedalGold|1992 Oklahoma City|275 lb}}
{{MedalSilver|1991 Iowa City|275 lb}}
}}
}}

'''Kurt Steven Angle''' (born December 9, 1968) is an American retired [[professional wrestler]] and [[amateur wrestling|amateur wrestler]]. He first earned recognition for winning a [[Wrestling at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's freestyle 100 kg|gold medal]] in [[freestyle wrestling]] at the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] despite competing with a broken neck<ref>{{cite web |title=How Kurt Angle won an Olympic gold medal 'with a broken freakin' neck' |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/15460333/how-kurt-angle-won-olympic-gold-medal-broken-freakin-neck-20-years-on |website=ESPN |access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>, and achieved wider fame for his tenures in [[WWE]] and [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA). He is considered one of the greatest professional and amateur wrestlers of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/lehigh-valley-music/mc-pro-wrestling-great-kurt-angle-says-matches-at-sands-bethlehem-event-center-will-be-among-his-last-a-20160105-column.html|title=Pro wrestling great Kurt Angle says matches at Sands Bethlehem Event Center, will be among his last and best|last=Moser|first=John J|date=January 5, 2016|website=[[The Morning Call]]|access-date=September 21, 2016}}</ref>

Angle won numerous accolades while at [[Clarion University of Pennsylvania]], including being a two-time [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion]] in the [[Wrestling weight classes|Heavyweight]] division. After graduating, he won gold medals in freestyle wrestling at the 1995 World Wrestling Championships and 1996 Summer Olympics. He is one of four people to win the Junior Nationals, NCAA, World Championships, and the Olympics. In 2006, he was named by [[USA Wrestling]] as the greatest [[Shoot wrestling|shoot wrestler]] of all time and as one of USA Wrestling's top 15 college wrestlers of all time. In 2016, he was inducted into the [[International Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2016 International Sports Hall of Fame Inductees |url=https://sportshof.org/2016-hall-of-fame/ |website=www.sportshof.org |author=Dr. Robert Goldman | date=March 15, 2016 | access-date=July 14, 2023}}</ref>

Angle made his first appearance at a professional wrestling event in 1996, and signed with the WWF (now WWE) in 1998. Although he was never a fan of professional wrestling and previously had a negative opinion of it due to its scripted nature, he was noted for his natural aptitude for it; after training for only a few days, he had his debut match within the WWF's [[Farm team#Professional wrestling|developmental system]] in August 1998 and had his first official WWF match in March 1999. After months of [[dark match]]es, Angle made his televised in-ring debut in November 1999. Within two months, he was holding the [[WWE European Championship|European]] and [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championships]] simultaneously. Four months later, he won the [[King of the Ring (2000)|2000]] [[King of the Ring tournament]] and began pursuing the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]], which he won in October and would go on to win a total of [[List of WWE Champions|four times]]. He also became a one-time [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW Champion]] and one-time [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Champion]]. He is the tenth professional wrestler to achieve the [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)#List of WWE Men's Triple Crown winners|WWE Triple Crown]] and the fifth to achieve the [[Grand Slam (professional wrestling)#WWE|WWE Grand Slam]]. He was inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]]'s class of 2017.

After leaving WWE in 2006, Angle joined TNA, where he became a record six-time [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship|TNA World Heavyweight Champion]] and the second [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)#List of Impact Wrestling Triple Crown winners|TNA Triple Crown]] winner, holding all three TNA championships simultaneously. He is also a two-time [[King of the Mountain match|King of the Mountain]]. During his tenure with TNA, he also competed for [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling|NJPW]] and the [[Inoki Genome Federation|IGF]], winning the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship (IGF)|IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] once. In 2013, he was inducted into the [[TNA Hall of Fame]]. He is the second wrestler, after [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]], to be inducted into both the WWE and TNA Halls of Fame.

Angle has won over 21 [[professional wrestling championship]]s and is an overall 13-time [[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|world champion]]. He is the only wrestler to have won the WWE Championship, World Heavyweight Championship, WCW Championship, TNA World Heavyweight Championship, IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and an NCAA Wrestling Championship. He is also the first person to hold both the WWE and TNA Triple Crowns. He has headlined numerous [[pay-per-view]] events, including [[WrestleMania XIX]] and [[TNA Bound for Glory|Bound for Glory]] on three occasions (in [[Bound for Glory (2007)|2007]], [[Bound for Glory (2010)|2010]], and [[Bound for Glory (2011)|2011]]), the flagship events of WWE and TNA, respectively. In 2004, the ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'' inducted Angle into [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame|its Hall of Fame]] and later named him "Wrestler of the Decade" for the 2000s.<ref name="WONWofD" /> Fellow professional wrestler [[John Cena]] called Angle "without question the most gifted all-around performer we have ever had step into a ring" and said "there will never be another like him".<ref>{{cite episode|title=WrestleMania Orlando|series=WWE 24|network=[[WWE Network]]|date=January 28, 2018|minutes=8}}</ref>

== Early life ==
Kurt Steven Angle<ref>{{cite web |title=Kurt Angle Bio, Stats, and Results {{!}} Olympics at Sports-Reference.com |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/an/kurt-angle-1.html |website=sports-reference.com |access-date=December 8, 2020 |date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417171913/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/an/kurt-angle-1.html|archive-date=April 17, 2020 }}</ref> was born in [[Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania]], on December 9, 1968, the son of Jackie and David Angle.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4ba4eZv45yoC&q=Kurt+Angle+Jackie+David&pg=PA11|title= Olympic Hero: Pro Wrestler Kurt Angle |first=A. R. |last=Schaefer|publisher=Capstone Press|year= 2002|isbn= 978-0736813105}}</ref> He is of Welsh, German, Irish, Polish and Lithuanian descent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kurtanglebrand.com/facebook-fan-qa-82616/|title=Facebook Fan Q&A 8/26/16|date=August 26, 2016|website=Kurtanglebrand.com|access-date=November 7, 2021}}</ref> He has four older brothers named David, Mark, John, and [[Eric Angle|Eric]], the latter of whom is also a wrestler; his older sister, Le'Anne, died at the age of 43 in 2003.<ref>{{cite web |title=LéAnne Angle Obituary – Pittsburgh, PA |url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/postgazette/obituary.aspx?pid=1403050 |access-date=July 17, 2015 |work=Post-Gazette.com}}</ref> He attended [[Clarion University of Pennsylvania]], graduating with a degree in education in 1993.<ref name="Washington Post">{{cite news|title=Kurt Angle Bio at Washington Post.com|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/olympics/longterm/wrestlng/freebios/angle.htm|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=October 11, 2007}}</ref> His father was a crane operator who died in a construction accident while working on [[Fifth Avenue Place (Pittsburgh)|Fifth Avenue Place]] when Angle was 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/85/Kurt-Angle.html|title=Kurt Angle Biography (1968–)|publisher=Film Reference|date=December 9, 1968|access-date=March 20, 2014}}</ref> Angle dedicated both his career and his autobiography to his father. He stated in an interview that, following his father's death, he regarded his wrestling coach [[Dave Schultz (amateur wrestler)|David Schultz]] as a paternal figure. While training Angle, Schultz was murdered in January 1996 by [[John Eleuthère du Pont]], the sponsor of Schultz's team of Olympic prospectives.<ref name="Business Wire" /><ref name="ka53" /><ref name="murder">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/14/us/heir-sentenced-up-to-30-years-for-killing-of-olympic-wrestler.html|title=Heir Sentenced Up to 30 Years For Killing of Olympic Wrestler|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=August 29, 2007|date=May 14, 1997}}</ref> Angle's mother died of cancer in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kurtanglebrand.com/my-mom-my-superhero/|title=My Mom, My Superhero|date=January 7, 2016|access-date=January 22, 2017}}</ref>

== Amateur wrestling career ==
Kurt Angle started amateur wrestling at the age of seven.<ref>{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=HarperEntertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/13 13]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/13}}</ref> He attended [[Mt. Lebanon High School]],<ref name="ka53"/> where he won [[varsity letter]]s in [[American football|football]], as an All-State [[linebacker]], and [[Scholastic wrestling|wrestling]].<ref name="ka53">{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=HarperEntertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/53 53]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/53}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=HarperEntertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/27 27]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/27}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=HarperEntertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/62 62]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/62}}</ref> He was undefeated on the freshman wrestling team and qualified for the state wrestling tournament his sophomore year.<ref name="ka53"/> Angle also placed third in the state wrestling tournament as a junior and was the 1987 Pennsylvania State Wrestling Champion as a senior.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

Upon graduating from high school, Angle attended [[Clarion University of Pennsylvania]], where he continued to [[Collegiate wrestling|wrestle]] at the amateur level.<ref>{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=HarperEntertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/48 48]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/48}}</ref> He was a two-time [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|Division I]] champion,<ref name="ka4">{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=HarperEntertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/4 4]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/4}}</ref> national runner-up in 1991, and a three-time [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|NCAA Division I]] [[All-America]]n. In addition, Angle was 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.<ref name="ecw173">Loverro, Thom. The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling (p.173)</ref>

After graduating from college, Angle continued to wrestle. In 1995, he won a gold medal at the [[FILA Wrestling World Championships]] in [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]].<ref name="ka4"/> Following this victory, Angle began preparing for the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] (also in Atlanta) under [[Dave Schultz (amateur wrestling)|Dave Schultz]] at the Pennsylvanian Foxcatcher Club,<ref>{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=HarperEntertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/123 123]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/123}}</ref> training between eight and ten hours a day.<ref name="Martinez">{{cite web|url=http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/localnews/ci_6506271|author=Martinez, M.|title=Professional wrestler talks shop at West Valley Mall|work=[[ANG Newspapers|Tri-Valley Herald]]|access-date=July 31, 2007|date=July 31, 2007}}</ref> In January 1996, not long after Angle began training at the club, Schultz was murdered by [[John Eleuthère du Pont]], the sponsor of Schultz's team of Olympic prospectives.<ref name="Business Wire"/><ref name="ka5">{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=Harper Entertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/5 5]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/5}}</ref><ref name="murder"/> As a result, Angle quit du Pont's team, searched for new sponsors, and joined the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club in Schultz's memory.<ref>{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=HarperEntertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/139 139]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/139}}</ref>

Angle faced further hardships while taking part in the 1996 Olympic Trials, when he suffered a severe neck injury, fracturing two of his [[cervical vertebrae]],<ref>{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=HarperEntertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/2 2]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/2}}</ref> [[hernia]]ting two [[Intervertebral disc|discs]], and pulling four muscles. Nonetheless, Angle won the trials and then spent the subsequent five months resting and rehabilitating. By the Olympics, Angle was able to compete, albeit with several pain-reducing injections in his neck.<ref name="ka4"/> In the fall of 1996, Angle stated that he temporarily became addicted to the [[analgesic]] [[Vicodin]] after injuring his neck.<ref>{{cite news|title=Grappling with addiction|url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/olympics/s_479415.html|newspaper=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review|access-date=January 15, 2008|last=Rossi|first=Rob|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128235956/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/olympics/s_479415.html|archive-date=January 28, 2008}}</ref> He won his gold medal in the heavyweight (90–100&nbsp;kg; 198–220&nbsp;lb) weight class despite his injury,<ref name="ecw173"/> defeating several competitors including [[Mongolia]]n [[Dolgorsürengiin Sumyaabazar]], [[Cuba]]n [[Wilfredo Morales]], [[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] [[Sagid Murtazaliev]], and others.<ref name="SR">{{cite web |title=Wrestling at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games: Men's Heavyweight, Freestyle |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1996/WRE/mens-heavyweight-freestyle.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418124840/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1996/WRE/mens-heavyweight-freestyle.html |archive-date=18 April 2020 |access-date=3 May 2019 |work=Sports Reference}}</ref> Angle won four close matches to earn his spot in the gold-medal finals.<ref name="SR2">{{cite web |title=Wrestling at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Games |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1996/WRE/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417044240/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1996/WRE/ |archive-date=17 April 2020 |access-date=1 May 2019 |work=Sports Reference}}</ref>

In 2006, Angle was named the greatest [[Shoot wrestling|shoot wrestler]] of all time by [[USA Wrestling]],<ref name="usawrestling"/> as well as one of the top 15 college wrestlers.<ref name="usawrestling">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/news/greatestever|title=Angle named Greatest Shoot Wrestler of All-Time|publisher=[[WWE]]|access-date=January 13, 2013}}</ref> In April 2011, Angle revealed that he was planning a comeback to amateur wrestling for the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] in London.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_49689.shtml|title=TNA News: Kurt Angle planning Olympics comeback in 2012, discusses re-signing with TNA & part-time schedule|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=April 29, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=June 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/17027704|title=Kurt Angle on his hardest task – making an Olympic return in 2012|date=February 16, 2012|publisher=BBC|access-date=February 14, 2012}}</ref> He later announced he was unable to make the trials for the national team due to a knee injury, though he held an honorary title as team manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/17695309|title=Kurt Angle's hopes of wrestling at London 2012 ended by injury|date=April 12, 2012|publisher=BBC|access-date=May 23, 2012}}</ref> In 2016, Angle was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame for his amateur wrestling accomplishments.<ref name = "ISHOF">{{cite web|url=https://sportshof.org/kurt-angle/|title=Kurt Angle|publisher=International Sports HOF|access-date=March 7, 2022}}</ref>

== Professional wrestling career ==
{{Overly detailed|date=June 2021}}

=== Extreme Championship Wrestling (1996) ===
{{Professional wrestling sidebar}}On October 26, 1996, Angle was convinced by fellow [[Pittsburgh]] native [[Shane Douglas]] to attend the [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW) event [[ECW High Incident|High Incident]].<ref name="ecw173"/> He gave an in-ring interview and provided guest commentary during a match between [[Tazz|Taz]] and [[James Maritato|Little Guido]], but left the building after [[Raven (wrestler)|Raven]] attached [[The Sandman (wrestler)|Sandman]] to a [[Christian cross|cross]] using [[barbed wire]].<ref>Loverro, Thom. The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling (p. 172).</ref> Angle, shocked by the controversial imagery and afraid that his career prospects were going to be damaged if he was associated with the incident, threatened to sue ECW owner [[Paul Heyman]] if he was shown on television in the same broadcast as the stunt.<ref name="ecw173"/>

=== World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (1998–2006) ===
==== Developmental and main roster debut (1998–2000) ====
Despite achieving success in amateur wrestling, Angle initially held professional wrestling in low regard.<ref name="OTR">{{cite episode|title=Kurt Angle|series=Off the Record with Michael Landsberg|series-link=Off the Record with Michael Landsberg|network=[[The Sports Network|TSN]]|date=April 29, 2004}}</ref> He rejected a decade-long contract with the [[WWE|WWF]] due to his unwillingness to accept scripted losses.<ref name="homecoming">{{cite episode|title=Kurt Angle: Homecoming|series=WWE 24|network=[[WWE Network]]|date=July 10, 2017|minutes=10–11}}</ref><ref name="Barnett">{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2017/05/02/wwe-olympic-wrestling-ncaa-kurt-angle-brock-lesnar-chad-gable-jason-jordan/100825750/|title=From mat to ring, WWE's amateur and pro wrestling connection|last=Barnett|first=Josh|date=May 2, 2017|website=[[USA Today]]|access-date=November 27, 2017}}</ref> His opinion of professional wrestling changed when he began watching ''[[WWE Raw|WWF Raw is War]]'' in 1998 and developed an admiration for [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]]'s talents as an entertainer.<ref name="homecoming"/> He later conceded that his negative attitude toward the industry was misguided and "stupid".<ref name="OTR"/>

In 1998, Angle had a tryout with the WWF after the rescindment of the WWF's original 1996 offer.<ref name="Barnett" /> He was subsequently signed to a five-year deal in August 1998,<ref>{{cite episode |title=Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Stasiak |series=SummerSlam Fest (Day 2) |credits=The [[World Wrestling Alliance (Massachusetts)|World Wrestling Alliance]] based in Massachusetts in association with the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] |date=August 21, 1998 |quote=Kurt Angle recently signed a five-year deal with the World Wrestling Federation.}}</ref> just three days after his tryout.<ref name="Barnett" /> Angle trained under [[Dory Funk Jr.]] at the [[Funking Conservatory|Funkin' Dojo]] training camp in [[Stamford, Connecticut]]. Within a week, he started wrestling in front of a live audience.<ref name="OTR" /> His debut match occurred in the WWF's then-[[Farm team#Professional wrestling|developmental territory]] [[World Wrestling Alliance (Massachusetts)|WWA]] on August 20, where he faced his trainer [[Tom Prichard]].<ref name="Kreikenbohm">{{cite web |last=Kreikenbohm |first=Philip |title=Kurt Angle (p. 16) |url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id%3D2%26nr%3D540%26page%3D4%26s%3D1500 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190708093013/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=540&page=4&s=1500 |archive-date=July 8, 2019 |access-date=November 27, 2017 |website=Cagematch.net}}</ref>

Angle continued to wrestle for the WWA in August and September. Additionally, he sought bookings outside of the WWF, participating in a [[Professional wrestling battle royal|battle royal]] won by [[Steve Williams (wrestler)|Steve Williams]] at the [[National Wrestling Alliance]]'s (NWA) 50th Anniversary Show on October 24. Angle also performed for Pennsylvania Championship Wrestling (PCW) defeating [[Steve Bradley]] and the [[East Coast Wrestling Association]] (ECWA) in February 1999 defeating Cyborg.<ref name="Kreikenbohm" />

In March, Angle began wrestling regularly for the WWF's [[Power Pro Wrestling]] (PPW) developmental league in [[Memphis, Tennessee]].<ref name="Kreikenbohm"/> He appeared on WWF television on ''[[WWE Heat|Sunday Night Heat]]'', where he took part in an [[Angle (professional wrestling)|angle]] with [[Tiger Ali Singh]]. He won over [[Brian Lawler|Brian Christopher]] on April 11. In the following months, Angle wrestled on [[house show]]s and in other dark matches, in preparation for his televised debut. He faced against [[Owen Hart]] in a dark match on [[WWF Shotgun Saturday Night|Shotgun Saturday Night]] just two weeks before Owen died.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/99.htm |title=Yearly Results: 1999 |last=Cawthon |first=Graham |date= January 16, 2023|website=TheHistoryOfWWE.com |access-date= }}</ref> He also continued to wrestle for PPW through October and on July 24 won the PPW Championship. Angle then lost the championship to [[Steve Bradley]] on August 7. He is noted for learning the art of pro wrestling quicker than almost anyone else;<ref name="Barnett"/> WWE executive and former opponent [[Triple H]] described Angle as "probably the fastest guy I've ever seen pick this business up", owing to "phenomenal" athleticism and an "aptitude" for the industry.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Triple H|series=Stone Cold Podcast|network=[[WWE Network]]|date=February 2, 2015|minutes=26}}</ref>

After several weeks of [[Vignette (wrestling)|vignettes]], Angle made his televised WWF in-ring debut on November 14 at [[Survivor Series (1999)|Survivor Series]] at the [[Joe Louis Arena]] in [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]], defeating [[Shawn Stasiak]].<ref>PWI Staff. Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 104–105).</ref> In his initial push, he remained undefeated for several weeks, eventually losing to the debuting [[Tazz]] at the [[Royal Rumble (2000)|Royal Rumble]] on January 23, 2000.<ref name="pwi105">PWI Staff. Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 105)</ref> Angle won both the [[WWE European Championship|European Championship]] on the February 10 episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' and the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] at [[No Way Out (2000)|No Way Out]] on February 27, losing both in a [[Triple Threat match]] with [[Chris Benoit]] (Intercontinental) and [[Chris Jericho]] (European) at [[WrestleMania 2000]] on April 2.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Full WrestleMania 2000 results |author= |work=WWE |date= |access-date=March 27, 2023 |url= https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/16/results}}</ref>

==== WWF Champion (2000–2002) ====
[[File:Kurt Angle WWF - King of the Ring 2000.jpg|right|thumb|upright=1|Angle at [[King of the Ring (2000)|King of the Ring]] in 2000 – a tournament he eventually won]]

Throughout mid-2000, Angle aligned himself with [[Edge & Christian]] and [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuded]] with [[Too Cool]] and [[Rikishi (wrestler)|Rikishi]], with Angle defeating Rikishi in the finals of the [[King of The Ring (2000)|2000 King of the Ring tournament]] on June 25.<ref name="pwi106">PWI Staff. Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 106)</ref> Later he feuded with Triple H and [[Stephanie McMahon]].<ref>{{cite book|title=If They Only Knew|last=Laurer|first=Joanie|publisher=ReaganBooks|year=2001|isbn=978-0-06-109895-6|page=[https://archive.org/details/chyna9thwonderof00chyn_0/page/122 122]|url=https://archive.org/details/chyna9thwonderof00chyn_0/page/122}}</ref><ref name="pwi106"/> Angle then received another push and began pursuing the [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]], winning the championship by defeating [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] at [[No Mercy (2000)|No Mercy]] on October 22.<ref name="pwi106" /> Angle retained the WWF Championship for the rest of the year in matches with [[The Undertaker]] at [[Survivor Series (2000)|Survivor Series]] on November 19 and in a six-man [[Hell in a Cell]] match at [[Armageddon (2000)|Armageddon]] on December 10.<ref name="pwi107">Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 107).</ref> After beating Triple H at the [[Royal Rumble (2001)|Royal Rumble]] on January 21, 2001,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/rumble.html#01|title=Royal Rumble Results|publisher=Prowrestlinghistory.com|access-date=April 17, 2009}}</ref> Angle eventually lost the title to The Rock at [[No Way Out (2001)|No Way Out]] on February 25.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2001/mainevent|title=No Way Out 2001 Results|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment|World Wrestling Federation]]|access-date=September 20, 2008|archive-date=May 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110526092257/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2001/mainevent|url-status=dead}}</ref> Angle then feuded with Chris Benoit, whom he defeated at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]] on April 1, but lost to him at [[Backlash (2001)|Backlash]] on April 29 in an [[Iron Man match|Ultimate Submission match]]. Continuing the feud, Angle again defeated Benoit in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Two out of Three falls match|two-out-of-three-falls match]] at [[Judgment Day (2001)|Judgment Day]] on May 20.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pritchard |first=Bill |date=July 31, 2023 |title=Kurt Angle's Greatest Feuds |url=https://www.wrestlezone.com/features/best-wrestling/1390044-kurt-angle-greatest-feuds |access-date=February 5, 2024 |website=Wrestlezone |language=en-US}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

[[File:WWE Smackdown kurt angle (3708246).jpg|thumb|right|Angle on ''SmackDown!'']]

When [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) and ECW were purchased by the WWF in 2001, wrestlers from WCW and ECW formed [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]]. Angle and WWF Champion [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] joined forces to repel them. At the [[WWF Invasion|Invasion]] event on July 22, Angle and Austin captained a team of five WWF superstars against members of the Alliance. Team WWF lost to Team Alliance when Austin turned on Team WWF to join the Alliance.<ref>Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 108)</ref> Angle then began feuding with Austin over the WWF Championship and challenged him for the title at [[SummerSlam (2001)|SummerSlam]] on August 19, and defeated Austin by disqualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/2001/results|title=SummerSlam 2001 results|website=WWE.com|access-date=2024-10-13}}</ref> After winning and losing the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW Championship]], [[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Championship]], and the [[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]] in matches with Alliance members, Angle defeated Austin to win his second WWF Championship at [[Unforgiven (2001)|Unforgiven]] on September 23.<ref name="pwi109">2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 109)</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/101636-kurt-angle-revela-que-gano-el-campeonato-de-wwe-por-el-11s|title=Kurt Angle ganó su segundo Campeonato de WWE como consecuencia del 11-S|date=September 15, 2021|website=Solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com|access-date=November 7, 2021 |author1=Solowrestling }}</ref> Angle lost the title to Austin on the October 8 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jr |first=Bob Colling |date=August 4, 2011 |title=WWF RAW 10/8/2001 |url=https://wrestlingrecaps.com/2011/08/04/wwf-raw-1082001/ |access-date=February 5, 2024 |website=Wrestling Recaps |language=en-US}}</ref> Angle later turned [[heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] again and joined the Alliance himself. Angle ultimately returned to the WWF side by enabling The Rock to defeat Austin in a "Winner Takes All" match between the WWF and The Alliance at the [[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series]] on November 18.<ref name="pwi109" />

In his first [[Royal Rumble match]] at the [[Royal Rumble (2002)|Royal Rumble]] on January 20, 2002, Angle lasted until the final two before being eliminated by eventual winner Triple H. Angle briefly feuded with [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]], defeating him at [[WrestleMania X8]] on March 17.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/18|title=WrestleMania X8|website=WWE}}</ref> Angle was drafted to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] brand and then reignited his feud with Edge, defeating him at [[Backlash (2002)|Backlash]] on April 21. The [[Androgenic alopecia|naturally balding]] Angle lost a "[[Luchas de Apuestas|hair versus hair]]" match to Edge at [[Judgment Day 2002|Judgment Day]] on May 19, having his head shaved bald, which he would retain for the rest of his career.<ref name="Yearbook2003">{{cite news|first=Michael|last=McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|page=127}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=McAvennie|first=Michael|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|page=145}}</ref> During mid-2002, [[John Cena]] made his WWE televised debut, losing to Angle after a roll-up pin on the June 27 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003 |pages=152–153}}</ref>

In September 2002, Angle started to feud with [[Chris Benoit]], losing to him at [[Unforgiven (2002)|Unforgiven]] on September 22. Angle and Benoit were teamed together to participate in a tournament to crown the first [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Champions]]. They won the tournament finals at [[No Mercy (2002)|No Mercy]] on October 20 making Angle the fifth WWE [[Grand Slam (professional wrestling)|Grand Slam Champion]].{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} The match at No Mercy was named the [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Match of the Year|2002 Match of the Year]] by ''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/top-rated-matches.html?pg=1&year=2002|title=Top rated matches of 2002|work=ProFightDB}}</ref> They made their first successful title defense by defeating [[Los Guerreros]] ([[Eddie Guerrero]] and [[Chavo Guerrero, Jr.|Chavo Guerrero]]) at [[Rebellion (2002)|Rebellion]] on October 26.<ref>{{cite news|author=Michael McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=278–279}}</ref> Their reign ended after they lost the title to Edge and Mysterio on the November 7 episode of ''SmackDown!'' in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Series variations|two-out-of-three-falls match]]. Angle and Benoit would receive another shot at the WWE Tag Team Championship in a [[Professional wrestling tag team match types#Three-way tag team elimination match|triple threat elimination match]] against Edge and Mysterio and Los Guerreros at [[Survivor Series (2002)|Survivor Series]] on November 17, but failed after they were the first team eliminated; Los Guerreros eventually won.<ref>{{cite news|author=McAvennie, Michael|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|page=294}}</ref>

====WWE Champion, Team Angle (2002–2004)====
{{main|The World's Greatest Tag Team|l1=Team Angle}}
[[File:Lesnarangle.jpg|left|thumb|upright=0.9|Angle and [[Brock Lesnar]] after their [[WWE Championship]] title match at [[WrestleMania XIX]]]]

Angle won his third WWE Championship at [[Armageddon (2002)|Armageddon]] on December 15 by defeating [[Big Show]].<ref>{{cite news|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|last=McAvennie|first=Michael|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2003|pages=329–330}}</ref> While still in his third reign, he gained the services of [[Manager (professional wrestling)|manager]] [[Paul Heyman]] and "[[The World's Greatest Tag Team|Team Angle]]" ([[Charlie Haas]] and [[Shelton Benjamin]]). He then began feuding with Brock Lesnar, who had won the [[Royal Rumble (2003)|Royal Rumble match]] on January 19, 2003.<ref>PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 112)</ref> Angle lost the WWE Championship in the main event of [[WrestleMania XIX]] on March 30 to Lesnar, due to needing time off to recuperate from injuries.<ref>2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 112–113)</ref> On April 11, 2003, Angle underwent neck surgery to repair nerve and spinal damage, [[calcium]] buildup, [[Osteophyte|bone spur]]s, and [[intervertebral disc]] problems. Rather than remove the afflicted discs and fuse his [[human vertebra|vertebra]]e together, Angle opted for a less conventional surgery where only the spurs and selected portions of the discs were removed. The alternative surgery reduced Angle's rehabilitation time from one year to three months.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

In 2003, Angle returned as a face on the June 5 episode of ''SmackDown!''. Shortly after returning, Angle defeated Lesnar and Big Show in a triple threat match at [[Vengeance (2003)|Vengeance]] on July 27 to regain the WWE Championship for the fourth time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clevett|first=Jason|title=Angle takes Vengeance on Lesnar|url=http://www.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2003/07/28/147709.html|work=SLAM! Sports: Wrestling|publisher=[[Canoe.ca|Canadian Online Explorer]]|date=July 28, 2003|access-date=July 30, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822072750/http://www.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2003/07/28/147709.html|archive-date=August 22, 2016}}</ref> After retaining the championship against Lesnar at [[SummerSlam (2003)|SummerSlam]] on August 24, he lost the title to Lesnar in a 60-Minute [[Iron Man match]] on the September 18 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Dacts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (pp. 113–114)</ref> Angle then formed a five-man team to rival Lesnar's team at [[Survivor Series (2003)|Survivor Series]] on November 16, with Angle's team coming out victorious, despite Angle being eliminated by Lesnar.<ref name="pwi114">PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 114)</ref>

Angle then got involved in a feud with [[Eddie Guerrero]]. At [[No Way Out (2004)|No Way Out]] on February 15, 2004, Guerrero defeated Lesnar to win the WWE Championship, while Angle defeated [[John Cena]] and Big Show in a triple-threat match to become the number one contender for Guerrero's title at [[WrestleMania XX]]. On the February 19 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Angle attacked Guerrero while serving as the special guest referee during Guerrero's WWE Championship defense against [[Chavo Guerrero Jr.|Chavo Guerrero]], turning heel once again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2004/1077252112.shtml|title=Full WWE Smackdown Results - 2/19/04 - Fresno, CA (Eddie vs. Chavo & more)|last=Siciliano|first=Mike|website=WrestleView.com|date=February 19, 2004|access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref> After losing to Guerrero at WrestleMania on March 14,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2004/03/15/wrestlemania-xx-bombs/|title=WrestleMania XX bombs|work=SLAM! Sports|date=March 15, 2004|first=John|last=Powell|access-date=October 30, 2018}}</ref> Angle began to once again suffer from legitimate neck problems and went in for surgery on his neck and was not scheduled to return to action for some time. On the March 25 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Angle was made the on-screen [[List of WWE SmackDown on-air personalities#Authority figures|General Manager]] of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2004/1080320641.shtml|title=Full WWE SmackDown Results - 3/25/04 (Eddie Guerrero vs. Booker T & more)|website=WrestleView.com|last=Nemer|first=Paul|date=March 26, 2004|access-date=May 30, 2025}}</ref> Angle continued his feud with Guerrero throughout 2004. He cost Guerrero the WWE Championship against [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] (JBL) in a [[Strap match|Texas Bull Rope match]] at [[The Great American Bash (2004)|The Great American Bash]] on June 27 by participating in the [[Glossary of professional wrestling terms#Work (noun)|worked]] finish: Angle came down to the ring and showed a replay where JBL's shoulder hit the corner pad before Guerrero's hand.<ref>2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (pp. 115–116)</ref> Angle was later fired by Vince McMahon as General Manager on the July 22 episode of ''SmackDown!'' after McMahon discovered that he was faking his handicapped status, and was put in a match against Eddie Guerrero at [[SummerSlam (2004)|SummerSlam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2004/1090565996.shtml|title=Full WWE SmackDown Results - 7/22/04 (Vince McMahon fires SmackDown GM)|website=WrestleView.com|last=Carrington|first=Anne|date=July 23, 2004|access-date=May 30, 2025}}</ref> At SummerSlam on August 15, Angle defeated Guerrero by submission.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/news2004/1092624666.shtml|title=Full WWE SummerSlam (RAW/SmackDown) PPV Results -- 8/15/04 -- Toronto|website=WrestleView.com|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=August 15, 2004|access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref> On the September 9 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Angle fought Guerrero in a lumberjack match that ended in a no-contest when a brawl broke out and Big Show made his return, attacking both Angle and Guerrero.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2004/1094783701.shtml|title=WWE SmackDown Results - 9/9/04 - Tulsa, Oklahoma (Big Show returns, more)|website=WrestleView.com|last=Johnson|first=Erica|date=September 9, 2004|access-date=May 30, 2025}}</ref> This led to a match at [[No Mercy (2004)|No Mercy]] on October 3 where Angle lost to Big Show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-no-mercy-2004-breakdown/|title=The No Mercy 2004 Breakdown|website=411Mania.com|last=Dunn|first=J.D.|date=October 3, 2004|access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref>

On the November 4 episode of ''SmackDown!'', during an [[Shoot (professional wrestling)|unscripted]] segment of ''[[WWE Tough Enough#$1,000,000 Tough Enough|Tough Enough]]'', Angle challenged the finalists to a [[squat thrust]] competition.<ref name="2004theyearinreview">{{cite web|title=2004: The Year in Review|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=7407&p=11|date=January 3, 2005|access-date=August 15, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref> Chris Nawrocki won the competition, with the prize being a match against Angle.<ref name="realityshowcontestantschoolsangle">{{cite web |last=Callis |first=Don 'Cyrus' |title=Reality show contestant schools Angle |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/DonCallis/2004/11/14/714531.html |date=November 14, 2004 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715102945/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/DonCallis/2004/11/14/714531.html |archive-date=July 15, 2012 |url-status=usurped |website=[[Canoe.com]] |department=SLAM! Sports – Wrestling – Reality show |access-date=June 15, 2023}}</ref> Angle quickly took Nawrocki down with a [[guillotine choke]], but Nawrocki managed to make it to the ropes, forcing Angle to break the hold. Angle then took Nawrocki down with a [[Takedown (grappling)#Double leg takedown|double leg takedown]], breaking his ribs.<ref name=realityshowcontestantschoolsangle/> Angle then locked another guillotine choke on Nawrocki, pinning him in the process. After Angle defeated Nawrocki, Angle challenged the other finalists.<ref name="realityshowcontestantschoolsangle" /> [[Daniel Puder]], an American professional [[mixed martial arts|mixed martial artist]], accepted Angle's challenge.<ref name="realityshowcontestantschoolsangle" /> Angle and Puder wrestled for position, with Angle taking Puder down; however, in the process, Puder locked Angle in a ''[[kimura lock]]''.<ref name="2004theyearinreview" /><ref name="realityshowcontestantschoolsangle" /> With Puder on his back and Angle's arm locked in the ''kimura'', Angle pushed Puder's shoulders down, pinning him; one of two referees in the ring, [[Jim Korderas]], quickly counted three to end the bout,<ref name="2004theyearinreview" /><ref name="realityshowcontestantschoolsangle" /><ref name="shortcolumnsbyobsessedfans">{{Cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/columns/fanjam/112004.html|title=Columns – Online World of Wrestling|website=www.onlineworldofwrestling.com}}</ref> despite the fact that Puder's shoulders were not fully down on the mat, bridging up at two.<ref name=2004theyearinreview/><ref name="realityshowcontestantschoolsangle" /> Puder later claimed he would have snapped Angle's arm on national television if Korderas had not ended the match.<ref name="realityshowcontestantschoolsangle" /> [[Dave Meltzer]] and [[Dave Scherer]] made the following comments:

{{blockquote|It was real. If you don't follow fighting, Puder had Angle locked in the Kimura, or keylock as Tazz called it, although Tazz didn't let on the move was fully executed. Not only was Angle not getting out of the move, but most MMA fighters would have tapped already. Angle couldn't tap for obvious reasons. The ref counted a three even though Puder's shoulders weren't fully down, trying to end the thing, because the reality was Angle would have been in surgery had it gone a few seconds longer or had Puder not given up the hold.|Dave Meltzer<ref name=2004theyearinreview/><ref name=shortcolumnsbyobsessedfans/>}}

{{blockquote|As you would expect, Kurt Angle was less than happy backstage at Smackdown after almost being forced to tap out to Tough Enough contestant Daniel Puder. Downright ticked off would probably be the best way to describe his mood. The unscripted nature of the contest was the main reason that Angle was made to look so bad since Puder just reacted to the situation and could have forced Angle to submit had the referees not thought quickly and counted a pin that wasn't there on Puder.|Dave Scherer<ref name=2004theyearinreview/>}}

==== "The Wrestling Machine" (2005–2006) ====
[[File:Kurt Angle - Anklelock.jpg|thumb| Angle applies the ankle lock to [[Shawn Michaels]]]]

On January 30, 2005, at the [[Royal Rumble (2005)|Royal Rumble]], after failing to win a triple threat match for the WWE Championship, which involved Big Show and champion [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] (JBL), Angle took part in the [[Royal Rumble match]] itself. Angle was quickly eliminated by [[Shawn Michaels]], which caused Angle to return to the ring to eliminate Michaels in retaliation.<ref name="pwi117">2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 117)</ref> After mocking Michaels by defeating Michaels's former [[The Rockers|tag team partner]], [[Marty Jannetty]], and attacking former manager [[Sherri Martel]], Angle defeated Michaels in an inter-promotional match at [[WrestleMania 21]] on April 3, which won the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]] (PWI) [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Match of the Year|Match of the Year award]].<ref name="pwi117" /> On the April 14 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Angle defeated Eddie Guerrero as part of a [[Judgment Day (2005)##1 contender tournament bracket|tournament to determine the number-one contender]] for the [[WWE Championship]]. In the same episode, Angle confronted fellow tournament entrant [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] and his wife [[Sharmell]] after Sharmell predicted that Booker T would win the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/411s-wwe-smackdown-report-4-14-05/|title=411's WWE Smackdown Report 4.14.05|website=411Mania.com|last=Marsico|first=Nick|date=April 14, 2005|access-date=May 29, 2025}}</ref> On the April 21 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Angle and JBL interfered in a tournament match between Booker T and [[Big Show]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2005/1114141495.shtml|title=SmackDown Results - 4/21/05 New York City, NY (New Tag Champs)|website=WrestleView.com|last=Carrington|first=L. Anne|date=April 21, 2005|access-date=May 30, 2025}}</ref> rendering it a no-contest and thus creating a four-way match against the remaining tournament entrants the next week, which JBL won.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2005/1114753562.shtml|title=SmackDown Results - 4/28/05 - Birmingham, England (Fatal 4 Way)|website=WrestleView.com|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=April 29, 2005|access-date=May 30, 2025}}</ref> Over the ensuing weeks, Angle sexually harassed Sharmell, including a segment where Angle claimed that he wanted to have "[[bestiality]] sex" with her.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/233241-wwe-smackdown-results-may-12-2005/|title=WWE SmackDown! Results – May 12, 2005|work=Wrestlezone|date=May 13, 2005|access-date=November 19, 2018|first=Andy|last=Stevens}}</ref> In another segment, he claimed that Sharmell had "molested" him and "fondled his privates".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2005/1116558288.shtml|title=SmackDown Results - 5/19/05 - Sioux City, IA (Judgment Day hype)|website=WrestleView.com|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=May 19, 2005|access-date=May 30, 2025}}</ref> At [[Judgment Day (2005)|Judgment Day]] on May 22, Booker T defeated Angle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/random-network-reviews-judgment-day-2005/|title=Random Network Reviews: Judgment Day 2005|website=411Mania.com|last=Pantoja|first=Kevin|date=June 28, 2015|access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref> On the June 2 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Angle defeated Booker T and Sharmell in a 2-on-1-handicap match after pinning Sharmell in a sexual position.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2005/1117814127.shtml|title=SmackDown Results - 6/2/05 - (Cena & Big Show team up and more)|website=WrestleView.com|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=June 3, 2005|access-date=May 30, 2025}}</ref> Angle would again lose to Booker T on the June 9 episode of ''SmackDown!'', ending their feud.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/smackdown/smackdown2005/1118378398.shtml|title=SmackDown Results - 6/9/05 - (Next draft pick, ECW gets more help)|website=WrestleView.com|last=Carrington|first=L. Anne|date=June 10, 2005|access-date=May 30, 2025}}</ref> Angle appeared at [[ECW One Night Stand (2005)|ECW One Night Stand]] on June 12 as an anti-ECW "crusader". At the end of the show, Angle and other "crusaders" engaged in a brawl with ECW alumni led by Stone Cold Steve Austin, in which the crusaders were soundly beaten.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mandatory.com/wrestlezone/news/232627-ecw-one-night-stand-results-61205-the-reunion-ecw-style?_gl=1*kpbm9j*_ga*YW1wLUpaRW1FUl9yTTJXeEZMbXByaEY4MTRKTjFxZGYwRkFWQTR6MkM5RTBpRkRsLXRMMENBdEFYTTBPMnc0VE1ZX3g.|title=ECW One Night Stand Results (6/12/05): The Reunion ECW Style|work=Wrestlezone|first=Kevin|last=Wilcutt|date=June 12, 2005|access-date=November 19, 2018}}</ref>

Angle resumed his feud with Michaels upon being drafted to the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] brand in the [[2005 WWE draft lottery]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1118720160.shtml|title=Raw Results - 6/13/05 - Binghamton, NY (Draft Lottery, Stone Cold)|website=WrestleView.com|last=Golden|first=Hunter|date=June 13, 2005|access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref> losing to Michaels at [[Vengeance (2005)|Vengeance]] on June 26.<ref name="pwi118">2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 118)</ref> On the July 25 episode of ''Raw'', [[Eugene (wrestler)|Eugene]] took part in the "Kurt Angle Invitational" challenge. Angle was unable to make Eugene submit within the three-minute time limit, winning Angle's cherished [[Olympic gold medal]] (per match stipulation), and starting a feud between the two.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1122349153.shtml|title=RAW Results - 7/25/05 - Cleveland, Ohio - (Cena vs. Carlito; Eugene)|website=WrestleView.com|last=Golden|first=Hunter|date=July 25, 2005|access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref> The feud culminated at [[SummerSlam (2005)|SummerSlam]] on August 21, where Angle defeated Eugene to regain his medal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts|work="Wrestling's historical cards"|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007|page=118}}</ref> Angle later feuded with John Cena over the WWE Championship. He challenged Cena at [[Unforgiven (2005)|Unforgiven]] on September 18, but won by disqualification, therefore not winning the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/whats-all-the-hubbub-unforgiven-2005/|title=What's All The Hubbub: Unforgiven 2005|website=411Mania.com|last=Hubbard|first=Aaron|date=September 14, 2009|access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref> On the October 3 "WWE Homecoming" episode of ''Raw'', he wrestled rival Shawn Michaels to a 2–2 draw in a [[Iron Man match|30-Minute Iron Man match]], after which Michaels challenged him for a sudden death overtime, but Angle refused and walked out.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestleview.com/results/raw/raw2005/1128399622.shtml|title=RAW Results - 10/3/05 - Dallas, TX - (Homecoming to USA Network)|website=WrestleView.com|last=Golden|first=Hunter|date=October 4, 2005|access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref> He challenged Cena for the WWE Championship again in a triple-threat match involving Michaels at [[Taboo Tuesday (2005)|Taboo Tuesday]] on November 1,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/taboo.html#2005|title=WWE Taboo Tuesday|website=prowrestlinghistory.com}}</ref> but lost, and then again lost to Cena at [[Survivor Series (2005)|Survivor Series]] on November 27.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-2005-survivor-series-breakdown/|title=The Survivor Series 2005 Breakdown|website=411Mania.com|last=Dunn|first=J.D.|date=November 28, 2005|access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref> Angle would continue his feud with Cena into 2006, defeating him in a non-title [[Professional wrestling match types#First Blood match|first blood match]] on the January 2, 2006, episode of ''Raw'', after interference from Daivari.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2006/01/03/1377059.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107160500/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2006/01/03/1377059.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 7, 2016|title=Raw: Cena bleeds, Benji's momma arrives|work=SLAM! Sports|publisher=[[Canoe.com|Canadian Online Explorer]]|first=Dave|last=Plummer|date=January 2, 2006|access-date=January 12, 2019}}</ref> At [[New Year's Revolution (2006)|New Year's Revolution]] on January 8, Angle again challenged Cena for the title, this time in an [[Elimination Chamber]] match, also involving Shawn Michaels, [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]], [[Carlito (wrestler)|Carlito]], and [[Chris Masters]]. Angle would fail to win the match, as he was eliminated by Michaels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/newyearsrevolution/history/2006/matches/15481642/results/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061208153433/http://www.wwe.com/shows/newyearsrevolution/history/2006/matches/15481642/results/|url-status=dead|title=WWE Champion def. Kurt Angle, Shawn Michaels, Kane, Chris Masters and Carlito to retain (Elimination Chamber Match)|publisher=WWE|archive-date=December 8, 2006|access-date=January 12, 2019}}</ref>

On the January 13 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Angle returned to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] brand as a surprise entrant in a twenty-man [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|battle royal]] for the vacant [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]]. Angle won by eliminating [[Mark Henry]], becoming a [[face (professional wrestling)|face]] in the process.<ref>{{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2006|work=Arena Reports|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=May 2006|page=130}}</ref><ref name="Almanac">{{cite news|first=Hicks|last=Brady|title=2006: The year in wrestling|work=2007 Wrestling Almanac and Book of Facts|publisher=Kappa Publications|id=2007 Edition|page=16}}</ref> He retained the title against Henry at the [[Royal Rumble (2006)|Royal Rumble]] on January 29. Shortly after the match, The Undertaker made his return and challenged Angle for the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-royal-rumble-breakdown-01-29-06/|title=The Royal Rumble Breakdown 01.29.06|website=411Mania.com|last=Dunn|first=J.D.|date=January 29, 2006|access-date=June 1, 2025}}</ref> At [[No Way Out (2006)|No Way Out]] on February 19, Angle retained the title against The Undertaker after a controversial finish where Angle pinned The Undertaker while locked in a triangle choke.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/411s-wwe-no-way-out-report-02-19-06/|title=411's WWE No Way Out Report 02.19.06|date=February 19, 2006|work=411MANIA|first=Derek|last=Martin|access-date=October 30, 2018}}</ref> Their match was highly acclaimed, with it being considered by many to be one of the best of the year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/5-best-wrestling-matches-of-2006|title=5 Best Wrestling Matches of 2006|date=October 4, 2018|website=sportskeeda.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/the-shimmy-01-01-07-the-top-52-wwe-matches-of-2006/|title=The Shimmy 01.01.07: The Top 52 WWE Matches of 2006|date=January 1, 2007|first=Andy|last=Clark|work=411MANIA|access-date=October 30, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dailyddt.com/2017/01/20/kurt-angle-wwe-top-matches/|title=Kurt Angle's Top 10 WWE Matches|first1=Tim Sherry/FanSided via Daily DDT Fansided|last1=Jun 30|first2=2017 at 10:28p|last2=ET|date=January 20, 2017|work=Fox Sports}}</ref> The Undertaker challenged Angle to a rematch on the March 3 episode of ''SmackDown!'', where Angle lost by disqualification after Mark Henry interfered and attacked The Undertaker. This ensured that Angle would enter [[WrestleMania 22]] as champion.<ref name="pwi119">2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 119).</ref> Angle then began a three-way feud with Royal Rumble winner Rey Mysterio and [[Randy Orton]] (who cheated to defeat Mysterio at No Way Out to gain entrance to the ''SmackDown!'' main event at WrestleMania). At WrestleMania on April 2, Angle lost the World Heavyweight Championship to Mysterio in the triple-threat match after Mysterio pinned Orton.<ref>2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (pp. 119–120).</ref>

On the May 29 episode of ''Raw'', Angle was [[2006 WWE brand extension draft|drafted]] to the newly created [[ECW (WWE brand)|ECW]] brand. It was during this time that he acquired the nickname "The Wrestling Machine", wearing a [[Mouth guard#Sports|mouth guard]] and quickly [[Squash match|squashing]] opponents. Upon coming to ''[[WWE ECW|ECW]]'', he issued an open challenge for [[ECW One Night Stand (2006)|ECW One Night Stand]] on June 11, which was accepted by Randy Orton. Angle defeated Orton,<ref name="pwi121">2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 121).</ref> later losing to him in a rematch at [[Vengeance (2006)|Vengeance]] on June 25. On the June 27 episode of ''ECW'', Angle challenged [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship|ECW World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Rob Van Dam]] to a title match, which he lost.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehistoryofwwe.com/06.htm|title=WWE in 2006|publisher=History of WWE|access-date=October 13, 2018|quote=ECW World Champion Rob Van Dam pinned Kurt Angle; Dean Malenko was the guest referee for the bout}}</ref> Angle appeared sporadically on WWE television throughout mid-2006. On August 25, 2006, Angle was granted an early release from his WWE contract for health reasons.<ref name="Clevett">{{cite news|author=Clevett, Jason|title=WWE releases Kurt Angle|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2006/08/25/wwe-releases-kurt-angle/|publisher=SLAM Wrestling!|access-date=July 14, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/3232350|title=Angle talks about his release|access-date=December 23, 2007|publisher=WWE}}</ref> Angle stated in the ''Kurt Angle: Champion'' documentary DVD that he asked for his release from WWE because he could not take time off and was working hurt, severely so on some occasions. He also stated that when he quit, WWE lost their top talent, as he was at the very top of the payroll.<ref>"Kurt Angle: Champion" DVD.</ref> Angle wrestled his last match at an ''ECW'' house show on August 14, where he defeated [[Danny Doring]].

=== Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (2006–2016) ===

==== The Angle Alliance (2006–2008) ====
{{main|Angle Alliance}}
[[File:Kurt TNA.jpg|thumb|upright=0.79|Kurt and Karen Angle watching at ringside during ''[[Impact Wrestling (TV series)|Impact!]]'']]

Angle signed a contract with [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]] (TNA).

In 2006, Angle made his TNA debut on October 19 as a [[face (professional wrestling)|face]], confronting [[Samoa Joe]] after Joe refused to relinquish the [[NWA World Heavyweight Championship]] belt that, according to the storyline, he had stolen from [[Jeff Jarrett]]. The two men ended up fighting while Jarrett retrieved the title belt.<ref name="tnaoct19">{{cite web|title=Impact – October 19, 2006 Results|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnaimpact/061019.html |publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=July 14, 2007}}</ref> Angle was then the [[Professional wrestling match types#Special referee|special enforcer]] for the [[Streak vs Career match|title vs. career match]] between Jarrett and [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] at [[Bound for Glory (2006)|Bound for Glory]] on October 22. However, as part of the worked finish, he took out referee [[Rudy Charles]] and assumed the referee's role for the rest of the match-up.<ref name="pwi127">PWI Staff. 2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts. "Wrestling's historical cards" (p. 127).</ref> Angle's first match with TNA took place on the November 16 airing of ''Impact!'', where he defeated [[Abyss (wrestler)|Abyss]] with the ankle lock and was attacked after the match by Samoa Joe. At [[TNA Genesis (2006)|Genesis]] on November 19, Angle defeated Samoa Joe, ending Joe's undefeated streak.<ref name="pwi127"/>

At [[Final Resolution (2007)|Final Resolution]] on January 14, 2007, Angle defeated Samoa Joe in a thirty-minute Iron Man match 3–2 to earn a shot at the NWA World Heavyweight Championship at [[TNA Against All Odds (2007)|Against All Odds]] on February 11, which he lost to [[Christian Cage]] after interference from [[Travis Tomko|Tomko]] and [[Scott Steiner]]. This led to a feud between Angle and Steiner, with Angle pinning Steiner at [[Destination X (2007)|Destination X]] on March 11. After Angle defeated Steiner, he was picked to lead a team of four other wrestlers against a team of Christian Cage's choice in a [[Lethal Lockdown match]] at [[Lockdown (2007)|Lockdown]] on April 15. Angle chose Samoa Joe, [[Terry Gerin|Rhino]], Sting, and Jeff Jarrett for Team Angle, while Cage chose [[A.J. Styles]], Scott Steiner, Tomko, and Abyss. The man who gained the winning pinfall was to become the number one contender to Christian Cage's NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Team Angle was victorious after Jeff Jarrett hit Abyss with a [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]]ed guitar full of thumbtacks and allowed Sting to score the pin fall victory. Cage was set to defend the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Sting and Angle in a triple-threat match at [[Sacrifice 2007|Sacrifice]] on May 13.<ref name="WVImpact!050207">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/results/tnaimpact/tnaimpact2006/1178248549.shtml|title=Impact! results – 5/3/07 ('Sacrifice' main event announced and more)|last=Martin|first=Adam|date=May 3, 2007|publisher=WrestleView.com|access-date=October 20, 2009}}</ref> The day of Sacrifice, the [[National Wrestling Alliance]] (NWA), the owners of the NWA World Heavyweight and the NWA World Tag Team Championships, stripped Cage of the title and Team 3D of the tag team title.<ref name="end of NWA-TNA">{{cite web|url=http://revver.com/video/267425/nwatmtrobich-strips-tnacageteam-3-d-of-nwatm-branded-championships/|title=NWA/Trobich strips TNA/Cage/Team 3D of NWA branded Championships|access-date=October 20, 2009|publisher=[[National Wrestling Alliance]]|archive-date=May 24, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524013808/http://revver.com/video/267425/nwatmtrobich-strips-tnacageteam-3-d-of-nwatm-branded-championships/|url-status=dead}}</ref> NWA Executive Director [[Robert Trobich|Robert K. Trobich]] gave the reason as Cage's refusing to defend the NWA title at NWA live events.<ref name="end of NWA-TNA"/> At Sacrifice, Cage, still holding the physical NWA Championship belt, defended what was billed as the "World Heavyweight Championship" against Angle and Sting. Angle was the victor by making Sting submit, who had technically just pinned Cage, and he was announced as the new "World Heavyweight Champion".<ref name="SlamSac07">{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2007/05/14/world-title-picture-muddied-after-good-sacrifice/ |title=World title picture muddied after good Sacrifice|date=May 14, 2007|last=Sokol|first=Chris|access-date=October 20, 2009|work=SLAM! Sports: Wrestling|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> At the ''Impact!'' following the event, Angle came to the ring with a new championship belt, and announced he was the new "[[List of TNA World Heavyweight Champions|TNA World Heavyweight Champion]]".<ref name="PWTorchImpact0517">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_20292.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 5/17: Angle-Rhino, Daniels-Raven, blood, Gore, and Stomper|last=Caldwell |first=James |date=May 18, 2007|publisher=PW Torch.com|access-date=October 20, 2009|quote=The fans chanted for Christian and Angle said he is the new TNA champion.}}</ref> Afterward, Cage and Sting came to the ring and the three began to argue over who was the new TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Due to the controversial finish to their match at Sacrifice, the title was declared vacant by Cornette. A tournament was held for the title which culminated in a [[King of the Mountain match]] at [[Slammiversary (2007)|Slammiversary]] on June 17.<ref name="PWTorchImpact0517"/> There, Angle became the [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship|TNA World Heavyweight Champion]] by defeating Cage, Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, and [[Chris Harris (wrestler)|Chris Harris]]. He then attacked Joe after denying a request for a handshake, reigniting their feud and turning heel in the process.

At [[Victory Road (2007)|Victory Road]] on July 15, newly crowned [[TNA X Division Championship|X Division Champion]] Samoa Joe teamed with Kurt Angle to face [[TNA World Tag Team Championship|TNA Tag Team Champions]] [[Dudley Boyz|Team 3D]], with the stipulation that if a wrestler pinned the other opponent, he won his championship. As part of the planned outcome of the match, Joe pinned [[Mark LoMonaco|Brother Ray]] of Team 3D to win both tag team belts, which he held by himself.<ref name="vr">{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnappv/victoryroad07.html |title=Victory Road 2007 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=September 3, 2007}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Impact!'', Joe, now holding the X Division and TNA World Tag Team Championships, challenged Angle, the reigning TNA World Heavyweight and [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship (IGF)|(IGF recognized) IWGP Heavyweight Champion]], to a winner-take-all match at [[Hard Justice (2007)|Hard Justice]] on August 12. While illustrating how he would take away everything important in Angle's life, Joe brought Angle's wife [[Karen Angle|Karen]] into the fray, as she demanded a divorce. During the match at Hard Justice, however, Karen [[Turned heel|turned]] on Joe when she, along with a supposed new "boyfriend" accompanying her that night, both aided Angle. (The boyfriend was portrayed by [[Tha Trademarc|Marc Predka]], who was soon revealed to have added rap vocals to a new version of Angle's theme song. Angle would use this version for the rest of his time with TNA.) Angle won, gaining all the championships and becoming the second [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)#List of TNA Triple Crown Champions|Triple Crown]] champion in TNA and the first to hold all three titles at the same time. Including the IWGP title, this made Angle a quadruple champion (and since Joe held the tag team titles by himself, that meant Angle's victory gave him both tag team championship belts, meaning Angle was now in possession of five belts).<ref name="hj">{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/tnappv/hardjustice07.html|title=Hard Justice 2007 Results|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|access-date=September 3, 2007}}</ref> Angle, however, dropped both the X Division and Tag Team Championships to [[Jay Lethal]] and [[Team Pacman]], respectively, at [[No Surrender 2007|No Surrender]] on September 9.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2007/09/10/no-surrender-delivers-on-angles-and-a-new-tv-deal/|title=No Surrender delivers on Angles and a new TV deal|last=Sokol|first=Chris|date=September 10, 2007|access-date=June 7, 2012|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> At [[Bound for Glory (2007)|Bound for Glory]] on October 14, Angle lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Sting,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slamwrestling.net/index.php/2007/10/15/angle-gets-stung-at-bound-for-glory/|title=Angle gets stung at Bound For Glory|last=Sokol|first=Chris|date=October 15, 2007|access-date=June 7, 2012|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> but won it back on the October 25 episode of ''Impact!''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/10/26/4607574.html|title=Impact: Crowning a new old champion|first=Chris|last=Sokol|date=October 26, 2007|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|access-date=June 7, 2012|archive-date=July 29, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729040829/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/10/26/4607574.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

Angle then joined forces with A.J. Styles and Tomko as [[The Angle Alliance]] at [[Turning Point (2007)|Turning Point]] on December 2, against Samoa Joe, [[Kevin Nash]], and [[Scott Hall (wrestler)|Scott Hall]]. Styles had planned for [[Christian's Coalition]] and The Angle Alliance to team up together. However, Christian Cage demanded to be the leader of The Angle Alliance after Cage denied Angle's request that he be Angle's "lackey". At [[Final Resolution (January 2008)|Final Resolution]] on January 6, 2008, Angle successfully defended the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Cage, due to interference from Styles, and again at [[TNA Against All Odds (2008)|Against All Odds]] on February 10, with help from Tomko. At [[Lockdown (2008)|Lockdown]] on April 13, Angle lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Samoa Joe after being pinned.

==== Main Event Mafia (2008–2009) ====
{{main|Main Event Mafia}}
[[Image:Godfather Kurt Angle cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|Angle as the "Godfather" of the [[Main Event Mafia]]]]

After suffering a neck injury, Angle was out of action. In the storyline, he returned to ''Impact!'' to ask his estranged wife Karen to reunite with him, but she declined his offer. Later that night, after Styles suffered a beating at the hands of Team 3D, [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]], and Tomko, Angle added to the mugging by hitting Styles with a steel chair. At [[Slammiversary (2008)|Slammiversary]] on June 8, Angle lost to Styles, being pinned after interference from Karen. At [[Victory Road (2008)|Victory Road]] on July 13, Angle and Team 3D won a six-man tag team Full Metal Mayhem match defeating the team of Christian Cage, Rhino, and Styles. At [[Hard Justice (2008)|Hard Justice]] on August 10, Angle once again lost to Styles – this time in a [[Last Man Standing match]]. The feud continued on the next episode of ''Impact!'', with Styles winning Angle's gold medal in a mock amateur wrestling match. The next week Angle challenged Styles to a [[ladder match]] for the Olympic gold medal. As they both stood on the top of the ladder, the arena went dark and Jeff Jarrett's music played. When the lights turned on, Styles had a guitar and performed an ''Acoustic Equalizer'' on Angle to win the match. Angle began a feud with Jarrett after [[No Surrender (2008)|No Surrender]] on September 14, when Jarrett hit Angle with his guitar, during a match that involved Angle, Christian Cage and Samoa Joe for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship. On the October 2 episode of ''Impact'', [[Mick Foley]] announced that he was going to be the special enforcer for Angle's match with Jarrett at [[Bound for Glory IV]] on October 12. Angle lost to Jarrett in this match, being pinned after taking the [[mandible claw]] from Foley and a guitar shot and Stroke from Jarrett. He started attacking other superstars backstage in order to get a rematch against Jarrett. On the first HD ''Impact!'', Angle, Booker T, Kevin Nash, and Sting started a new stable of legends called The Main Event Mafia. Scott Steiner joined the group the following week. Angle then defeated Abyss at [[Turning Point (2008 wrestling)|Turning Point]] on November 9 in a Falls Count Anywhere match. After weeks of being pestered by Angle to give him a rematch, Jarrett said that if Angle could defeat Rhino at [[Final Resolution (December 2008)|Final Resolution]] on December 7, with Mick Foley as the Special Enforcer, he would grant it. Angle defeated Rhino to earn a rematch with Jarrett at [[Genesis (2009)|Genesis]] on January 11, 2009, after [[Al Snow]] made a surprise appearance and distracted Foley so that Angle could cheat. At [[TNA Sacrifice (2009)|Sacrifice]] on May 24, Angle lost his leadership of the Main Event Mafia to Sting because of their match's stipulation. On June 21 at [[Slammiversary (2009)|Slammiversary]], Angle won the [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship]] for the fourth time in a King of the Mountain match with help from Samoa Joe. On the following episode of ''Impact!'', Angle regained leadership of the Main Event Mafia after he and the rest of the Main Event Mafia attacked Sting while introducing Joe as their newest member. At [[No Surrender (2009)|No Surrender]] on September 20, Angle lost his championship to A.J. Styles in a five-way match which also included Matt Morgan, Sting, and [[Shawn Hernandez|Hernandez]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_35493.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA No Surrender PPV Report 9/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Kurt Angle vs. Sting vs. Matt Morgan vs. A.J. Styles|date=September 20, 2009|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=September 20, 2009|publisher=PWTorch}}</ref>

==== Various feuds (2009–2011) ====
After defeating Morgan at [[Bound for Glory (2009)|Bound for Glory]] on October 18,<ref name="BFG2009">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_36109.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV Report 10/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the second-half of the show with Styles vs. Sting|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=October 20, 2009|work=PWTorch|access-date=October 23, 2009}}</ref> Angle came out on the following episode of ''Impact!'' and touted the younger talent of TNA, thus leaving the Main Event Mafia and turning face in the process. Afterward, he was assaulted by the debuting [[Nigel McGuinness|Desmond Wolfe]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_36225.shtml|title=Wilkenfield's TNA Impact Report 10/22: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|date=October 22, 2009|work=PWTorch|access-date=October 23, 2009}}</ref> who defeated him via knockout in a street fight the following week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1256882354.php?style=dark#at|access-date=October 30, 2009|title=Impact Results – 10/29/09|last=Boutwell|first=Josh|date=October 30, 2009|publisher=WrestleView}}</ref> At [[Turning Point (2009 wrestling)|Turning Point]] on November 15, Angle defeated Wolfe in a rematch.<ref name="TP2009">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_36774.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Turning Point PPV Report 11/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of .A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniels|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=November 15, 2009|work=PWTorch|access-date=November 15, 2009}}</ref> The following month at [[Final Resolution (2009)|Final Resolution]] on December 20, Angle faced Wolfe in a "Three Degrees of Pain" [[Professional wrestling match types#Two out of Three falls match|two out of three falls match]]. Wolfe managed to gain the first fall by pinning Angle following the [[Elevated cutter|Tower of London]], but Angle forced him to submit with the ankle lock to win the second fall. In the final fall, which could only be won by escaping the [[Cage match|Six Sides of Steel]], Angle managed to escape first and won the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_37540.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Final Resolution PPV Report 12/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Daniels, Angle vs. Wolfe|date=December 20, 2009|access-date=December 21, 2009|last=Caldwell|first=James|publisher=PWTorch}}</ref> On the January 4, 2010, live, three-hour, Monday night edition of ''Impact!'', Angle received a shot at A.J. Styles' World Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated in the main event of the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_37861.shtml|title=Keller's TNA Impact Live Report 1/4: Jeff Hardy, NWO reunion, Hulk Hogan, TNA Knockout Title match, more surprises – ongoing coverage|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=January 4, 2009|work=PWTorch|access-date=January 5, 2010}}</ref> Two weeks later at [[Genesis (2010)|Genesis]] on January 17, Angle received one last shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, but was once again defeated by Styles, who turned heel with the help of [[Ric Flair]] and struck Angle with the title belt. As a result, Angle was barred from challenging for the title as long as Styles is the title holder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_38198.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Genesis PPV Report 1/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Kurt Angle, Hulk Hogan's TNA PPV debut|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=January 17, 2010|work=PWTorch|access-date=January 18, 2010}}</ref> Due to the circumstances surrounding the loss, [[Hulk Hogan]] gave Angle another shot at Styles and the TNA World Heavyweight Championship on the January 21 episode of ''Impact!'', but this time Angle lost the match after referee [[Earl Hebner]], who was later revealed to have been paid off by Flair, called for the bell to be rung, in an incident similar to the [[Montreal Screwjob]]. Angle responded to the incident by spitting in Hogan's face, threatening to quit TNA and go back to WWE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_38325.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact Report 1/21: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|date=January 21, 2010|access-date=January 28, 2010|work=PWTorch}}</ref> Angle apologized to Hogan, after being saved by him from [[Scott Hall (wrestler)|Scott Hall]] and [[Sean Waltman|Syxx-Pac]].<ref name="AAO2010">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_39033.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Against All Odds PPV Report 2/14: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe, Nastys vs. 3D|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=February 14, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=February 23, 2010}}</ref> At [[TNA Against All Odds (2010)|Against All Odds]] on February 14, Angle took part in the [[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling tournaments#8 Card Stud Tournament|8 Card Stud Tournament]] to crown a new number-one contender, but was defeated in the first round by [[Mr. Kennedy|Mr. Anderson]], after Anderson used Angle's dog tags to choke and strike him.<ref name="AAO2010"/> On the following episode of ''Impact!'' Angle promised to make Anderson suffer for disrespecting the U.S. soldiers, but was in the end once again defeated by him, effectively starting a feud between the two.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_39182.shtml|title=Wildenfeld's TNA Impact Report 2/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast|date=February 18, 2010|access-date=February 23, 2010|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|publisher=PWTorch}}</ref> At [[Destination X (2010)|Destination X]] on March 21, Angle defeated Anderson in a rematch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_40000.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Destination X PPV Report 3/21: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Abyss, Ultimate X, Anderson vs. Angle|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=March 21, 2010|work=PWTorch|access-date=March 22, 2010}}</ref> Angle and Anderson were scheduled for a rubber match inside a steel cage at [[Lockdown (2010)|Lockdown]] on April 18.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_40273.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Report 3/29: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV show – cage match with Jeff Hardy, RVD, Wolfpack|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=March 29, 2010|work=PWTorch|access-date=April 6, 2010}}</ref> On the April 5 episode of ''Impact!'', Anderson defeated Angle in a ladder match to win possession of the key to the cage door.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TV_Reports_9/article_40437.shtml|title=TNA Impact Results 4/5: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Hulk Hogan, Beautiful People, Lockdown hype|last=Keller|first=Wade|date= April 5, 2010|work=PWTorch|access-date=April 6, 2010}}</ref> At Lockdown, Angle defeated Anderson in a steel cage match and afterwards announced that he would take some time off from wrestling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_40725.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Lockdown Results 4/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of PPV – Styles vs. The Pope, Team Hogan vs. Team Flair, Angle vs. Anderson|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=April 18, 2010|access-date=April 18, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

Angle returned on the May 20, 2010, episode of ''Impact!'' and was ranked number two by the Championship Committee in the inaugural top 10 rankings for a World Heavyweight title shot. Angle, however, decided to take his name out of the running for a title shot and vowed to fight his way through the top 10 and earn his spot at the top of the company.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_41456.shtml|title=TNA Impact results 5/20: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" coverage of show on Spike TV including Top Ten Contenders revealed|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=May 20, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=May 21, 2010}}</ref> At [[Slammiversary VIII]] on June 13, Angle started his climb back to the top by defeating [[Frankie Kazarian|Kazarian]], who was ranked number ten.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_41923.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Slammiversary results 6/13: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – RVD vs. Sting, Hardy & Anderson, "nice surprise"|date=June 13, 2010|access-date=June 13, 2010|last=Caldwell|first=James|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Angle continued his climb, defeating Desmond Wolfe, who was ranked number nine prior to the match, on the June 24 episode of ''Impact!'', and [[Elijah Burke|D'Angelo Dinero]], ranked number eight, at [[Victory Road (2010)|Victory Road]] on July 11.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_42170.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 6/24: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast|first=Daniel|last=Wilkenfeld|date=June 24, 2010|access-date=June 24, 2010|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_42443.shtml|title=TNA Victory Road results 7/11: Keller's ongoing "virtual time" coveage [sic] of live PPV event|date=July 11, 2010|access-date=July 11, 2010|last=Keller|first=Wade|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Prior to his match with Dinero, Angle announced that should he lose on his way to the top of the rankings, he would retire from professional wrestling.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1278040975 |title=Impact Results – 7/1/10 |date=July 1, 2010 |access-date=August 12, 2010 |last=Boutwell |first=Josh |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703212913/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1278040975 |archive-date=July 3, 2010 }}</ref> On the July 22 episode of ''Impact!'', Angle defeated seventh-ranked Hernandez and followed that up three weeks later by defeating sixth-ranked A.J. Styles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_42665.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 7/22: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast|date=July 22, 2010|access-date=July 23, 2010|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_43075.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 8/12: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV "Whole F'n Show" (updated)|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=August 12, 2010|access-date=August 13, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the August 19 episode of ''Impact!'', the TNA World Heavyweight Championship was vacated and, instead of continuing his climb, Angle was entered into an eight-man tournament for the title, defeating X Division Champion [[Doug Williams (wrestler)|Douglas Williams]] in his first-round match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_43238.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 8/19: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast|first=Daniel|last=Wilkenfeld|date=August 19, 2010|access-date=August 19, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> At [[No Surrender (2010)|No Surrender]] on September 5, Angle first wrestled [[Jeff Hardy]] to a twenty-minute time limit draw, after which [[Eric Bischoff]] ordered five minutes of extra time. After that and a second five minutes of extra time, also ending in draws, it was ruled that, due to a cut, Angle could not continue the match, ending the match as no-contest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_43569.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA No Surrender PPV results 9/5: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Angle vs. Hardy, Pope vs. Anderson|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=September 5, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=September 5, 2010}}</ref> After wrestling to a draw on the September 16 episode of ''Impact!'', it was announced that both Angle and Hardy had advanced to the finals at [[Bound for Glory (2010)|Bound for Glory]] on October 10, to wrestle Mr. Anderson in a three-way match.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_43829.shtml|title=Keller's TNA Impact report 9/16: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV show with Jeff Hardy vs. Kurt Angle|last=Keller|first=Wade|date=September 16, 2010|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=September 16, 2010}}</ref>

[[File:TNA Slammiversary Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett.jpg|thumb|Angle and [[Jeff Jarrett]] at [[Slammiversary IX]]]]

At Bound for Glory, Angle was defeated by Hardy, when he turned heel and pinned Anderson after an interference from Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, who then went on to form an alliance named [[Immortal (professional wrestling)|Immortal]], with Hardy, Abyss, and Jeff Jarrett.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_44417.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV results 10–10–10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Angle vs. Anderson vs. Hardy, "they" reveal|date=October 10, 2010|access-date=October 10, 2010|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Impact!'' Angle came out to make his retirement speech, after his failed attempt to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, but was interrupted by Jarrett, who announced that he had made a deal with Hogan and Bischoff in order to end Angle's career at Bound for Glory, before attacking Angle, when he was restrained by TNA's security officers [[Phill Shatter|Gunner]] and [[Mikael Judas|Murphy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_44521.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 10/14: Complete "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV's live broadcast|date=October 14, 2010|access-date=October 15, 2010|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following week Angle returned, trying to get his hands on Bischoff and Ric Flair, before being stopped by TNA's security officers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_44696.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 10/21: Complete "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV's live broadcast|date=October 21, 2010|access-date=October 22, 2010|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Angle returned three weeks later on the November 11 episode of ''Impact!'', saving Samoa Joe from Jeff Jarrett, Gunner, and Murphy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_45232.shtml|title=Keller's TNA Impact results 11/11: Styles vs. Stevie, Turning Point fallout, New TNA belt introduced by Hogan|date=November 11, 2010|access-date=November 12, 2010|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> After not appearing again for two weeks, Angle made another return on the December 2 episode of ''Impact!'', saving Samoa Joe from Jeff Jarrett and Abyss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_45735.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 12/2: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast|date=December 2, 2010|access-date=December 5, 2010|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

On the January 6, 2011, episode of ''Impact!'' Angle interrupted Jarrett's $100,000 Mixed Martial Arts Challenge and signed a contract to face him at [[Genesis (2011)|Genesis]] on January 9 in an MMA exhibition match, since he had promised not to wrestle again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_46575.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact report 1/06: Complete "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV broadcast|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|date=January 6, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=January 6, 2011}}</ref> The match was nullified in the third round after Jarrett blinded Angle. After the match Jarrett bloodied Angle, before announcing that he was ending his mixed martial arts career and promising that his wife, Karen Jarrett (formerly Karen Angle), would join the retirement party.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_46645.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Genesis PPV results 1/9: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Morgan vs. Anderson #1 contender, four title matches, RVD mystery opponent|date=January 9, 2011|access-date=January 9, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the January 13 episode of ''Impact!'', Karen made her return and stopped Angle just as he was about to attack Jeff, telling him that she would not allow him to ruin their personal lives and promised to tell all about their divorce the following week.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_46760.shtml|title=Keller's TNA Impact report 1/13: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of post-Genesis fallout on Spike TV|date=January 13, 2011|last=Keller|first=Wade|author-link=Wade Keller|access-date=January 14, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following week Karen slapped Kurt, providing a distraction which allowed Jeff to strike him. At the end of the show [[Crimson (wrestler)|Crimson]] saved Angle from a beating at the hands of Immortal and [[Fortune (professional wrestling)|Fortune]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_46941.shtml|title=Wilkenfeld's TNA Impact alt. perspective report 1/20: Jarrett—Angle drama sinks the ship|date=January 20, 2011|last=Wilkenfeld|first=Daniel|access-date=January 21, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following week, Ric Flair reinstated Angle in order to place him and Crimson in a seven–on–two handicap match against Jarrett, [[James Storm]], [[Robert Roode]], Kazarian, [[Rob Terry]], Gunner, and Murphy. The match ended with Jarrett pinning Angle for the win. Afterwards, Angle was saved from another beating by the returning Scott Steiner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_47130.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 1/27: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Team Angle vs. Team Immortal, Anderson vs. Hardy, Flair goes nuts, Steiner returns|date=January 27, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=January 28, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following week Fortune turned on Immortal and aligned themselves with Angle, Crimson and Steiner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_47424.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 2/3: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Impact on Spike TV – "they" reveal, TNA World Title match|date=February 3, 2011|access-date=February 3, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On February 13 at [[TNA Against All Odds (2011)|Against All Odds]], Jarrett defeated Angle in a singles match and as a result Angle was forced to walk Karen down the aisle, when she and Jarrett renewed their wedding vows on the March 3 episode of ''Impact!''. After the match Angle hinted at a possible retirement by leaving his wrestling boots in the ring.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_47702.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Against All Odds PPV results 2/13: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Anderson vs. Hardy, Genesis re-matches, fluid X Division situation|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=February 13, 2011|access-date=February 13, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On March 3, Angle proceeded to destroy the wedding set with an axe and forced wedding guest [[New York Jets|New York Jet]] [[Bart Scott]] to submit with the ankle lock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_48210.shtml |title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 3/3: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Impact on Spike TV – Hogan, wedding, 3/3/11 reveal, Tag Title match, retirement match, celebrities |date=March 3, 2011 |access-date=March 4, 2011 |last=Caldwell |first=James |work=Pro Wrestling Torch |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116164819/http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_48210.shtml |archive-date=November 16, 2011 }}</ref> On April 17 at [[Lockdown (2011)|Lockdown]], Jarrett defeated Angle in an [[Professional wrestling match types#Series variations|"Ultra Male Rules" two out of three falls]] steel cage match, with help from Karen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_49368.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Lockdown PPV results 4/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live all-cage match PPV – Sting vs. Anderson vs. RVD, Angle vs. Jarrett|first=James|last=Caldwell|date=April 17, 2011|access-date=April 17, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the May 12 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle revealed [[Chyna]] as his backup in taking care of the Jarretts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_50020.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact report 5/12: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of big reveals, final PPV hype, battle royal main event|date=May 12, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|access-date=May 12, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> At [[TNA Sacrifice (2011)|Sacrifice]] on May 15, Angle and Chyna defeated the Jarretts in a mixed tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_50080.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Sacrifice PPV results 5/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Sting vs. RVD, four title matches, Chyna PPV return|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=May 15, 2011|access-date=May 15, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Later that same month, Angle signed a new three-year contract with TNA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_50546.shtml|title=TNA News: Extensive Angle interview – new TNA contract, near-death in match last year, why his UFC deal fell apart, Twitter battle with Orton, TNA schedule during Olympics training|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=June 4, 2011|access-date=June 5, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> With Karen out of the picture, Angle defeated Jarrett on June 12 at [[Slammiversary IX]], in what was billed as the "final battle" between the two to retain his Olympic gold medal and become the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_50710.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Slammiversary PPV results 6/12: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Sting vs. Anderson, Angle vs. Jarrett blow-off|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=June 12, 2011|access-date=June 12, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> However, on the following episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Jarrett challenged Angle to a [[Professional wrestling match types#Parking Lot Brawl|Parking Lot Brawl]] and agreed to sign a contract that would force him to move to [[Mexico]] without Angle's children, should he lose the match. Angle ended up winning the fight after choking Jarrett with a shirt, forcing him to say "adiós".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_50815.shtml|title=Keller's TNA Impact report 6/16: Ongoing coverage of Slammiversary fallout on Spike TV|date=June 16, 2011|access-date=June 16, 2011|last=Keller|first=Wade|author-link=Wade Keller|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

==== Immortal (2011–2012) <!-- Please do not make this header any longer. Details belong within the section itself. --> ====
{{main|Immortal (professional wrestling)}}

In 2011, with his feud with Jarrett behind him, Angle aligned himself with Sting to feud with the rest of Immortal, including the group's newest member, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Mr. Anderson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_51284.shtml|title=Bax's TNA Impact Wrestling report 7/7: Complete Coverage of 300th Episode, Will Mr. Anderson Join Immortal?|last=Baxendell|first=Matt|date=July 7, 2011|access-date=July 11, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the July 14 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle helped Sting regain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship from Anderson.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_51429.shtml|title=Keller's TNA Impact report: Ongoing live coverage of Destination X fallout, Mr. Anderson vs. Sting|last=Keller|first=Wade|author-link=Wade Keller|date=July 14, 2011|access-date=July 14, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On August 7 at [[Hardcore Justice (2011)|Hardcore Justice]], Angle defeated Sting, after hitting him with a chair he snatched away from Hulk Hogan, to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for the record-breaking fifth time, thus turning heel in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_51958.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Hardcore Justice PPV results 8/7: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Sting vs. Angle, five title matches, BFG Series matches|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=August 7, 2011|access-date=August 7, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle explained that he did not agree with Sting, who, using the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, wanted to hand the promotion back to Dixie Carter, as he had found out that she had lied to him about not knowing of the relationship between Karen and Jeff Jarrett. When Sting confronted Angle, he was attacked by Hogan, which led to Angle revealing that Hogan had been the one who had exposed Carter's lie to him. Angle also revealed that his goal was now to ruin Carter's youth movement in TNA by eliminating the younger wrestlers one-by-one, and started by attacking [[Bound for Glory Series#2011|Bound for Glory Series]] leader Crimson after the main event, cementing his heel turn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1313122097 |title=Impact Wrestling Results – 8/11/11 |last=Boutwell |first=Josh |date=August 12, 2011 |access-date=August 12, 2011 |work=WrestleView |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825105605/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1313122097 |archive-date=August 25, 2011 }}</ref> Angle made his first televised title defense on the September 1 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', defeating Sting in a rematch, following interference from special enforcer Hulk Hogan and the rest of Immortal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/09/02/18633481.html|title=Impact: Sting looks to regain title in rematch with Angle|last=Bishop|first=Matt|date=September 2, 2011|access-date=September 6, 2011|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|archive-date=June 29, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629070455/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2011/09/02/18633481.html|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The following week, Angle's title match with Mr. Anderson ended in a disqualification, following interference from Immortal. This led to a three-way match between Angle, Anderson, and Sting on September 11 at [[No Surrender (2011)|No Surrender]], where Angle managed to retain the title, following interference from Hogan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_53099.shtml|title=Keller's TNA Impact report 9/8: Jeff Hardy returns, Anderson gets his title rematch against Angle, No Surrender final hype|last=Keller|first=Wade|author-link=Wade Keller|date=September 9, 2011|access-date=September 11, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_53179.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA No Surrender PPV results 9/11: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – three-way TNA Title match, BFG Series finals|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=September 11, 2011|access-date=September 11, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On October 16 at [[Bound for Glory (2011)|Bound for Glory]], Angle successfully defended the title against Bobby Roode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_54312.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV results 10/16: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Angle-Roode, Hogan-Sting|date=October 16, 2011|access-date=October 16, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship to Roode's tag team partner, James Storm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe/22609-tna-changes-title-today-at-tv|title=TNA changes title today at TV|date=October 18, 2011|access-date=October 18, 2011|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_54431.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling report 10/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage Bound for Glory fall-out, TNA World Title match|date=October 20, 2011|access-date=October 21, 2011|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

Angle returned on the November 17, 2011, episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', attacking James Storm and revealing himself as the man who had attacked and bloodied him the previous week, costing him his match with Bobby Roode for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_55268.shtml|title=Keller's TNA Impact Wrestling report 11/17: Follow up to Turning Point, Roode and Styles match announced for Final Resolution|last=Keller|first=Wade|author-link=Wade Keller|date=November 17, 2011|access-date=November 17, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On December 11 at [[Final Resolution (2011)|Final Resolution]], Angle was defeated by Storm in a singles match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_55904.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Final Resolution PPV results 12/11: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Roode-Styles, five title matches|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=December 11, 2011|access-date=December 11, 2011|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On January 8, 2012, at [[Genesis (2012)|Genesis]], Angle defeated Storm in a rematch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_56739.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Genesis PPV results 1/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Roode-Hardy, Angle-Storm|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=January 8, 2012|access-date=January 8, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Storm defeated Angle in a number-one contender's match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_56895.shtml|title=McQuade's TNA Impact Wrestling report 1/12: Roode-Hardy for TNA Title, Angle-Storm #1 contender match, Bischoffs angle|last=McQuade|first=Jay|date=January 12, 2012|access-date=January 13, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Angle returned on the February 16 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', costing Jeff Hardy his shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_58209.shtml|title=Turner's TNA Impact results 2/16: World Title match opens show, Lockdown main event set, N.Y. Giants star in angle|last=Turner|first=Scott|date=February 17, 2012|access-date=February 17, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On March 18 at [[Victory Road (2012)|Victory Road]], Angle defeated Hardy in a singles match, pinning him while grabbing a hold of the ring ropes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_59264.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Victory Road PPV results 3/18: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Sting-Roode main event, Angle-Hardy, Storm-Ray|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=March 18, 2012|access-date=March 18, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On April 15 at [[Lockdown (2012)|Lockdown]], Hardy defeated Angle in a rematch, contested inside a steel cage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_60411.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Lockdown PPV results 4/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Roode-Storm main event, Angle-Hardy, Lethal Lockdown opener|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=April 15, 2012|access-date=April 15, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle defeated A.J. Styles, following interference from Styles' rivals [[Christopher Daniels]] and Kazarian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_60315.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling results 4/19: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of Lockdown fall-out, Hogan's "big announcement"|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=April 19, 2012|access-date=May 13, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following week, Angle warned the two Immortal associates never to interfere in one of his matches again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_60794.shtml|title=Turner's TNA Impact Wrestling results 4/26: First-ever Open Fight Night, Tag Title match, Flair throws a party for Bischoff|last=Turner|first=Scott|date=April 26, 2012|access-date=May 13, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

On May 13 at [[TNA Sacrifice (2012)|Sacrifice]], Angle defeated Styles in a rematch, following another interference from Daniels and Kazarian. After the match, Angle made the save for Styles, chasing Daniels and Kazarian out of the ring. This turned Angle face once again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_61356.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Sacrifice PPV results 5/13: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Roode-RVD main event, Angle-Styles, Hardy-Anderson |last=Caldwell|first=James|date=May 13, 2012|access-date=May 13, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/238630|title=Kurt Angle Discusses His Face Turn, Possible Retirement|last=Csonka|first=Larry|date=May 17, 2012|access-date=March 15, 2013|work=411mania}}</ref> On June 10 at [[Slammiversary (2012)|Slammiversary]], Angle and Styles defeated Daniels and Kazarian to win the TNA World Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_62289.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Slammiversary PPV results 6/10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Roode vs. Sting headlines 10th Anniv. PPV|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=June 10, 2012|access-date=June 10, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle entered the [[Bound for Glory Series#2012|2012 Bound for Glory Series]], taking part in the opening [[gauntlet match]], from which he was eliminated by Daniels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_62447.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling results 6/14: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – TNA World Title match, Ultimate X starts the show|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=June 14, 2012|access-date=June 14, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Two weeks later, Angle and Styles lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship back to Daniels and Kazarian.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_62763.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Wrestling results 6/28: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – BFG Series, Tag Title main event|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=June 28, 2012|access-date=June 28, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Angle wrestled his final match in the 2012 Bound for Glory Series on the August 30 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', losing to Jeff Hardy, which resulted in him being eliminated from the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_64745.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact results 8/30: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – three big BFG Series matches including Styles-Joe|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=August 30, 2012|access-date=August 30, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On September 9 at [[No Surrender (2012)|No Surrender]], Angle and Styles unsuccessfully challenged Daniels and Kazarian for the TNA World Tag Team Championships.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_65007.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA No Surrender PPV results 9/9: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – BFG Series finals|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=September 9, 2012|access-date=September 9, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> Angle and Styles received another title shot against Daniels and Kazarian on October 14 at [[Bound for Glory (2012)|Bound for Glory]], in a three-way match, which was won by [[Chavo Guerrero, Jr.]] and Hernandez.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_65938.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Bound for Glory PPV results 10/14: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV – Aries vs. Hardy, Storm vs. Roode|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=October 14, 2012|access-date=October 14, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the following episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle defeated Daniels and Styles in a three-way match to become one of four wrestlers in consideration for a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_66041.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact results 10/18: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live BFG PPV fall-out|last=Caldwell|first=James|date=October 18, 2012|access-date=October 18, 2012|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref>

==== New Main Event Mafia (2012–2013) ====
On October 25, 2012, Angle was chosen as the number one contender for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated by [[Jeff Hardy]] in his title match. Afterwards, Angle was attacked by [[Aces & Eights]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1351217787|title=Impact Results – 10/25/2012|last=Boutwell|first=Josh|date=October 25, 2012|access-date=October 25, 2012|work=WrestleView|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028214716/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1351217787|archive-date=October 28, 2012}}</ref> At [[Turning Point (2012 wrestling)|Turning Point]] on November 11, Angle defeated Aces & Eights member [[Devon Hughes|Devon]] via submission, despite the rest of Aces & Eights trying to interfere.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_66565.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Turning Point PPV Results 11/11: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Hardy-Aries, top titles at-stake|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> Angle continued his feud with Aces & Eights on the December 6 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', defeating [[Drew Hankinson|DOC]] via disqualification after the rest of Aces & Eights interfered.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67056.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 12/6: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – Team Hardy vs. Team Roode, Knockout returns, final PPV hype|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> Three days later at [[Final Resolution (2012)|Final Resolution]] on December 9, Angle teamed with [[Garett Bischoff]], Samoa Joe, and [[Wes Brisco]] to defeat Devon, DOC, and two masked members of Aces & Eights in an eight-man tag team match.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_67111.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Final Resolution PPV Results 12/9: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Hardy vs. Roode in the main event, Aries vs. Bully|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> Angle unsuccessfully challenged Devon for the [[TNA Television Championship]] on the December 20 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', after interference from Aces & Eights, Garett Bischoff, Samoa Joe, and Wes Brisco.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67417.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 12/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Champ. Thursday – Aries vs. Hardy, 1.3.13 reveal|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> On the January 3, 2013, episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle and Samoa Joe defeated Devon and a masked member of Aces & Eights in a steel cage tag team match. Afterwards, the returning Sting saved Angle and Joe from a beating from Aces & Eights before revealing the mystery member as the debuting [[Mike Knox]].<ref>[http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67639.shtml Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 1/3: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live show – Sting casually returns, cage main event & unmasking (updated w/Box Score)]. PWTorch.com (January 3, 2013). Retrieved September 5, 2013.</ref> The following week, Angle was sidelined with a storyline injury after Knox hit him in the neck with a [[ball-peen hammer]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_67774.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 1/10: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Sting-Knox, wedding angle, and, oh yeah, a PPV on Sunday (updated w/Box Score)|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> Angle returned to in-ring action on the January 31 ''Impact Wrestling'', defeating Aces & Eights member Mr. Anderson in a steel cage match. Afterwards, Angle's two allies Garett Bischoff and Wes Brisco revealed themselves as members of Aces & Eights and attacked him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_68308.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 1/31: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact in the U.K. – Angle-Anderson, Wes & Garett turn heel, Wes's hair tells the story|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> Angle infiltrated the Aces & Eights hideout on the February 28 ''Impact Wrestling'' and managed to unmask their vice president, but was beaten by the other members before he could reveal his identity to the cameras.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_68961.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 2/28: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – TNA & Jeff Hardy return to Orlando; Angle unmasks A&E member, but cameraman misses the shot|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> Angle revealed the vice president as [[D'Lo Brown]] on the following episode of ''Impact''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_69112.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 3/7: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – final Lockdown PPV hype|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> At [[Lockdown (2013)|Lockdown]] on March 10, Angle was defeated by Wes Brisco in a steel cage match, following interference from Brown.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_69158.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Lockdown PPV Results 3/10: Live, in-person coverage from San Antonio – Hardy vs. Ray TNA Title match, Lethal Lockdown, more|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> Angle was defeated by Jeff Hardy in a four-way number-one contenders match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, which also included [[Magnus (wrestler)|Magnus]] and Samoa Joe, on the March 21 ''Impact Wrestling''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_69437.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 3/21: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact from Chicago – new #1 contender to TNA Title, two title matches, Lockdown fall-out|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> In the following weeks, Angle continued to face Bischoff and Brisco in multiple tag team and handicap matches, that all ended with the two getting the advantage over Angle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_69573.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 3/28: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Open Fight Night – Hardy vs. Anderson, more|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_69727.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 4/4: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact featuring 10-man tag, Ray-Brooke show-closing segment, hype for next week's stacked show|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_70102.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 4/18: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Styles's in-ring return, live Impact fall-out|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref>

Angle then began feuding with A.J. Styles, after Styles refused to answer Angle's question on whether he is with TNA or the Aces & Eights, which led to a brawl between the two on the May 9, 2013, episode of ''Impact Wrestling''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_70473.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 5/9 (Hour 1): Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – Angle & Styles brawl, D-Lo Brown pouts, Knockouts tag match, more|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> On June 2 at [[Slammiversary XI]], Angle was announced as the second inductee into the [[TNA Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_70811.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 5/23: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – Hogan returns home, A.J. in Aces & Eights?, final show in current timeslot|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> Later that night, Angle defeated Styles in a singles match.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_71026.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Slammiversary PPV Results (Hour 3): Bully vs. Sting for the TNA World Title, plus Styles vs. Angle|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> On the following ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle got into a verbal confrontation with the debuting [[Quinton Jackson|Rampage Jackson]], who claimed he had to beat the best to be the best.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_71116.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 6/6: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Impact – PPV fall-out, Bully vs. Hardy ladder match, Rampage Jackson debuts, more|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> The following week, Angle was defeated by Styles in a rematch to earn the final spot in the [[Bound for Glory Series#2013|2013 Bound for Glory Series]]. Afterward, Angle was assaulted by Aces & Eights until Jackson came out and saved him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_71253.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 6/13: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of BFG Series qualifiers, Sting bringing back Mafia, Rampage Jackson Week 2, more|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> On June 20, Angle attacked TNA World Heavyweight Champion [[Mark LoMonaco|Bully Ray]] at the end of the ''Impact Wrestling'' episode, and revealed himself as the first member of Sting's New Main Event Mafia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_71423.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 6/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of semi-live Impact – BFG Series kick-off, Open Fight Night, Sting takes out Aces & Eights, more|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> In the following weeks, Angle and Sting recruited Samoa Joe, Magnus, and Rampage Jackson as members of the New Main Event Mafia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_71579.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 6/27: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact – BFG Series continues, two title matches, Suicide, Joe added to Mafia, Hogan plays principal, more|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_71733.shtml|title=TNA News: Impact 7/4 – quick & detailed results for Thursday's Impact taped in Las Vegas|work=pwtorch.com|access-date=July 17, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnaimpact/article_71884.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA Impact Results 7/11: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of Impact from Las Vegas – Rampage Jackson joins Mafia, Dest. X hype, BFG Series gauntlet|website=pwtorch.com}}</ref> Beginning on August 2, Angle took a hiatus from TNA after being admitted to rehab for drug and alcohol use.<ref name="RehabPWT"/>

==== Director of Wrestling Operations (2013–2014) ====
Angle returned on the October 10, 2013, episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', attacking [[Bad Influence (professional wrestling)|EGO]] and challenging Bobby Roode to a match at [[Bound for Glory (2013)|Bound For Glory]]. The following week, Angle stated his discontentment with Roode mocking his Hall of Fame induction and told Roode he would make him [[Submission (combat sport)|tap out]]. Roode responded by attacking Angle with help from his faction, EGO, forcing Angle to submit to the [[crossface]] hold in a precursory act prior to their match. At the [[Pay-per-view|PPV]] Angle was inducted into the [[TNA Hall of Fame]], but he refused to accept the offer as he felt he had let himself, TNA, and the fans down and didn't deserve a Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He also said he would accept the offer when he feels he has earned it, and he still has great things to do in TNA. Later in that night, Angle was defeated by Roode, after he landed awkwardly from a running belly-to-belly suplex.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/tnappvs/article_74031.shtml|title=Caldwell's TNA BFG PPV Results 10/20 (Hour 2): Angle vs. Roode featured match, KO Title match, ECIII debuts|access-date=October 20, 2013|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> On the October 31 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle lied about gaining medical clearance, as Angle suffered ([[kayfabe]]) convulsions during the match against Bobby Roode after a bad landing from the same move, which resulted in referee Brian Hebner rewarding a knock out/count-out victory to Roode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0uhbJqtXIc| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/Z0uhbJqtXIc| archive-date=November 15, 2021 | url-status=live|title=#Impact365 – Referee Brian Hebner on what happened to Kurt Angle|via=YouTube|access-date=August 3, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> After the match, he also showed signs of post-concussive amnesia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/5093-IMPACT365-Exclusive-Footage-Kurt-Angle-s-Condition-After-IMPACT-Went-Off-The-Air|title=#Impact365 Exclusive Footage: Kurt Angle's Condition After IMPACT Went Off The Air|publisher=Impactwrestling.com|date=July 24, 2014|access-date=August 3, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419093122/http://www.impactwrestling.com/news/item/5093-IMPACT365-Exclusive-Footage-Kurt-Angle-s-Condition-After-IMPACT-Went-Off-The-Air|archive-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref> On November 5, Angle was reported as having tested negative for the concussion, but his recurring knee injuries still required monitoring.<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/j7kUNogzy9s Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20140118141655/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7kUNogzy9s Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7kUNogzy9s|title=#Impact365 Medical Update on the Condition of Kurt Angle |via=YouTube |access-date=August 3, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The following week, Angle saw the New Main Event Mafia disbanded, then he was attacked by Roode, who accused Angle as using his injuries to get out of the match. On November 14, Angle won a submission match against [[Austin Aries]] in the World title tournament, but by using Roode's finisher: the ''arm trap crossface'', with Roode at the ramp watching.<ref>World Title Tournament: Kurt Angle vs. Austin Aries (November 14, 2013)</ref> However, Angle lost his next match against Magnus, due to an interference from Roode. At [[Final Resolution (2013)|Final Resolution]], Angle was defeated by Roode in a 2-out-of 3 falls match, but Angle faced and defeated Roode in a Steel Cage match at [[Genesis (2014)|Genesis]] to end the feud.

On February 6, 2014, Angle had a match against Magnus. However, he won by disqualification, when [[Ethan Carter III]] (EC3) attacked Angle, performing a leglock, which injured Angle's knee. On February 27, 2014, Angle officially accepted his induction into the [[TNA Hall of Fame]], but the ceremony was interrupted by EC3, with Angle attacking him. The next week, Angle was attacked by EC3 and his knees were severely damaged, thus losing his chance to fight at [[Lockdown (2014)|Lockdown]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXzy3cFNJog| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/CXzy3cFNJog| archive-date=November 15, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Kurt Angle injured by Ethan Carter during IMPACT (March 6, 2014)|via=YouTube|date=March 6, 2014|access-date=August 3, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Angle made his return on April 17, and vowing revenge.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSztQdOngc4| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/aSztQdOngc4| archive-date=November 15, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Kurt Angle returns to IMPACT and wants payback (April 17, 2014)| date=April 17, 2014|via=YouTube|access-date=August 3, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On April 24, after Angle defeated Rockstar Spud in a match, EC3 attacked Angle but Willow saved him. At [[TNA Sacrifice (2014)|Sacrifice]], Willow and Angle defeated EC3 and Rockstar Spud. In May, Angle underwent ACL repair surgery and was sidelined.

On June 20, 2014, Angle was named [[Professional wrestling authority figures#(Executive) Director of Wrestling Operations|Executive Director of Wrestling Operations]] of TNA by TNA's board of directors. He announced a [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship]] rematch for the July 3 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'' between [[Bobby Lashley|Lashley]] and [[Eric Young (wrestler)|Eric Young]], and reinstated [[Bobby Roode]], who had been indefinitely suspended by [[Montel Vontavious Porter|MVP]]. Angle also retired the [[TNA Television Championship]], which had not been seen or defended since Abyss won it at Slammiversary 2013. On September 18, 2014 (aired on October 29 due to tape delay), Angle refereed the TNA World Heavyweight Championship between Bobby Roode and Bobby Lashley. Angle's contract with TNA was due to expire on September 14, 2014. Around this time, he reached out to Vince McMahon to offer his services for a return to the WWE. Unbeknownst to him [[Triple H]] had taken over McMahon's former duties. Angle offered to return as a part-time wrestler due to concerns of his age and health. Angle was caught off guard when WWE declined his services. It is speculated that WWE only offered a full-time contract which Angle didn't accept or WWE declined his return due to past relationship issues with him. After he was denied by WWE, he quickly signed a part-time contract with TNA Wrestling. On September 21, 2014, Angle's contract with TNA expired, ending his eight-year tenure with the company.<ref name="pwinsider.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/88813/big-kurt-angle-update.html|title=Big Kurt Angle Update |work=pwinsider.com|access-date=July 17, 2015}}</ref> Angle teased a return to WWE; however, he was offered a full-time contract by TNA; so, Angle decided to stay.<ref name="pwinsider.com"/>

==== Final feuds and departure (2015–2016) ====
[[File:Kurt Angle2.jpg|thumb|Angle at [[Bound for Glory (2015)|Bound for Glory]] in October 2015]]

Angle returned to in-ring action on TNA's debut on [[Destination America]] on January 7, 2015, when he stopped a brawl, but started a street fight against MVP. On January 31, 2015 (aired March 20), Angle defeated Lashley to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for a record sixth time. He lost to Eric Young on May 1, at [[Hardcore Justice]], in a stretcher match with the title not on the line. He successfully defended his title against Lashley once, and then again against both Lashley and Eric Young. On May 8, Angle defeated Young to retain his title, with Bully Ray as the special referee. On the May 29 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', he successfully retained his title once more against Eric Young, this time in a I Quit match. At [[Destination X (2015)|Destination X]], Angle defeated Rockstar Spud, who gave up the X Division Championship in order to challenge for the title. Later that night, Angle again successfully defended his title, this time against Austin Aries, who cashed in his Feast or Fired contract to allow him a title match. On the June 25, 2015, taping of ''Impact Wrestling'' (aired July 1), Angle lost the championship to [[Ethan Carter III]]. On the July 8 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', Angle faced Carter in a rematch in a losing effort.

On October 4, 2015, at [[Bound for Glory (2015)|Bound for Glory]], Angle defeated Young via ankle lock submission. On November 19, Angle was announced for TNA's live debut on [[Pop (U.S. TV network)|Pop]]. On the November 25, episode of ''[[Impact Wrestling (TV series)|Impact Wrestling]]'', Angle announced that he would remain with TNA until the conclusion of their Maximum Impact Tour of the UK on January 31, 2016, after which he would part ways with the company. Angle announced his "Farewell Tour" which took place on TNA's tour of the UK. At [[TNA One Night Only#One Night Only: Live|TNA One Night Only: Live]], Kurt Angle teamed with [[Drew Galloway]] in a three-way tag team match against [[Eli Drake]] and [[Jessie Godderz]] and [[The American Wolves|The Wolves]] for their [[TNA World Tag Team Championship]], in a losing effort. On the January 12, 2016, episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', he defeated Drew Galloway. On the February 2 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', he challenged [[Matt Hardy]] for his [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship]], but lost the match. On the February 9 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', he was defeated by Drew Galloway in their rematch. On the March 1 episode of ''Impact Wrestling'', he defeated [[Bobby Roode]]. Angle's final match was against Lashley on March 8, 2016, which ended in a loss.

=== Japanese promotions (2007–2009) ===
On February 18, 2007, Angle made his debut in [[New Japan Pro-Wrestling]] (NJPW), teaming with former [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship|IWGP Heavyweight Champion]] [[Yuji Nagata]] to defeat fellow TNA wrestler [[Travis Tomko]] and fellow [[List of World Wrestling Entertainment alumni|WWE alumnus]] [[Matt Bloom|Giant Bernard]].

Angle was booked to face [[Brock Lesnar]] in a champion-versus-champion match for the [[Inoki Genome Federation]] (IGF) on June 29, 2007, and defeated him by submission to win the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship (IGF)|IWGP Heavyweight Championship]].<ref name="Inoki">{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/japan/newjapan/iwgp-h.html|access-date=June 24, 2008|title=International Wrestling Grand Prix Heavyweight Title|publisher=Wrestling-titles.com}}</ref> Angle then challenged Lesnar to an [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]] fight.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kurt Angle beats Brock Lesnar in Japan|url=http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/56486/Kurt-Angle-Beats-Brock-Lesnar-In-Japan.htm|publisher=411mania.com|access-date=July 14, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703051243/http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/56486/Kurt-Angle-Beats-Brock-Lesnar-In-Japan.htm|archive-date=July 3, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> On December 19, 2007, Angle defended the IWGP title successfully against [[Kendo Kashin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.igf.jp/fightermuch1220.html|title=IGF|publisher=IGF|access-date=December 22, 2007|date=December 22, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223060920/http://igf.jp/fightermuch1220.html|archive-date=December 23, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On January 4, 2008, Angle made his third successful IWGP Heavyweight Championship defense when he defeated Yuji Nagata at the [[January 4 Tokyo Dome Show|NJPW supershow]] [[Wrestle Kingdom II in Tokyo Dome]] by forcing Nagata to submit to the ankle lock.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results08.php|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080122043541/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results08.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 22, 2008|title=Strong Style Spirit|publisher=Strong Style Spirit|access-date=January 4, 2008|date=January 4, 2008}}</ref> On February 17, 2008, Angle lost the IWGP title to the NJPW-recognized champion [[Shinsuke Nakamura]] in a unification match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/circuitism08.html|title=Circuit 2008 New Japan ISM (1/27/08 to 2/17/08)|work=Strong Style Spirit|access-date=October 11, 2010}}</ref> He returned in August during the [[G1 Climax]], in two special tag matches with A.J. Styles as his main opponent. In those matches Shinsuke Nakamura and [[Masahiro Chono]] became Angle's partners while [[Hiroshi Tanahashi]] and [[Shinjiro Otani]] became Styles' partners. Angle's team won both matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results/g108.html|title=G1 Climax 2008 ~Heroes of Supremacy~ (8/9/08 to 8/17/08)|work=Strong Style Spirit|access-date=October 11, 2010}}</ref>

He returned on January 4, 2009, at [[Wrestle Kingdom III in Tokyo Dome]] in a special eight-man tag match, where he, Kevin Nash, Chono, and [[Riki Choshu]] faced [[Great Bash Heel]] (Giant Bernard, [[Karl Anderson]], [[Takayuki Iizuka|Takashi Iizuka]], and [[Tomohiro Ishii]]), with Angle getting the win for his team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=302|title=(Results) New Japan, 1/4/09|work=Strong Style Spirit|access-date=October 11, 2010|date=January 4, 2009|archive-date=April 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426063221/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=302|url-status=dead}}</ref> Angle then went on to defeat Bernard in a singles match at New Japan's ISM tour on February 15.<ref name="Feb152009"/> After Hiroshi Tanahashi retained the [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] against Nakamura in the main event, Angle challenged him for the title, which Tanahashi accepted.<ref name="Feb152009">{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=413|title=(Results) New Japan, 2/15/09|work=Strong Style Spirit|access-date=October 11, 2010|date=February 15, 2009|archive-date=April 21, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421112248/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/?p=413|url-status=dead}}</ref> Tanahashi defeated Angle on April 5 at New Japan's [[NJPW Resolution|Resolution '09]] to retain the title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results09.html|title=2009 results|work=Strong Style Spirit|access-date=October 11, 2010|archive-date=April 30, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110430025412/http://www.puroresufan.com/njpw/results09.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Mexico (2012) ===
Angle made his debut for Mexican promotion company [[Lucha Libre AAA World Wide|AAA]] on August 5, 2012, at ''[[Triplemanía XX]]'', where he teamed up with Jeff Jarrett as Team Dorian Roldán in a hair-vs.-hair match, where they faced Team Joaquín Roldán ([[Electroshock (wrestler)|Electroshock]] and [[Adolfo Tapia|L.A. Park]]), with the Roldáns' hairs on the line. Electroshock won the match for his team by pinning Angle, forcing Dorian to have his head shaved bald. However, after the match, Angle, Jarrett, and Dorian overpowered the winners and shaved Joaquín bald.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://superluchas.com/2012/08/05/triplemania-xx-el-dia-ha-llegado-cobertura-y-resultados-5-de-agosto-de-2012-mascara-vs-mascara-dr-wagner-vs-mascara-ano-2000-jr-kurt-angle-en-mexico/|title=Triplemania XX "El día ha llegado" (Cobertura y resultados 5 de agosto de 2012) – Máscara vs máscara: Dr. Wagner vs Máscara Año 2000 Jr. – ¡Kurt Angle en México!|date=August 5, 2012|access-date=August 5, 2012|last=Cano Vela|first=Eduardo|magazine=SuperLuchas|language=es|archive-date=August 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807061159/http://superluchas.com/2012/08/05/triplemania-xx-el-dia-ha-llegado-cobertura-y-resultados-5-de-agosto-de-2012-mascara-vs-mascara-dr-wagner-vs-mascara-ano-2000-jr-kurt-angle-en-mexico/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Independent circuit (2016–2017) ===
On March 20, 2016, Angle competed for URFight, going against former rival and fellow WWE alumnus [[Rey Mysterio]] in a losing effort in a two-falls match that saw Angle as a [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]. Angle wrestled for [[Revolution Pro Wrestling]] on June 12, where he defeated [[Zack Sabre Jr]]. On August 27, Angle lost to [[Cody Rhodes]] at Northeast Wrestling's Wrestling Under the Stars in Wappingers Falls, New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northeastwrestling.com/20160827.shtml/|title=August 27: Angle vs Rhodes is Signed!|access-date=May 31, 2016|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605100013/http://www.northeastwrestling.com/20160827.shtml|archive-date=June 5, 2016}}</ref> Angle defeated [[Joe Hendry (wrestler)|Joe Hendry]] at the October 6 What Culture Pro Wrestling video tapings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Cww11KFWs| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/G_Cww11KFWs| archive-date=November 15, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Coming... In October...| date=July 27, 2016|publisher=What Culture Wrestling}}{{cbignore}}</ref> On November 20, 2016, Angle lost to [[Joe Coffey (professional wrestler)|Joe Coffey]] at [[Insane Championship Wrestling]]'s [[ICW Fear & Loathing IX|Fear & Loathing IX]]. On February 12, 2017, Angle defeated [[Alberto Del Rio|Alberto el Patrón]] at WCPW True Destiny in his final match in the United Kingdom.

On March 3, 2017, Angle appeared for [[Northeast Wrestling]] in Connecticut, where he was defeated by Cody Rhodes in a steel cage match. This was his last match on the independent circuit.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2017/03/01/wwe-week-wrestling-kurt-angle-cody-rhodes-bobby-fish |title=The Week in Wrestling: Kurt Angle and Cody Rhodes on their upcoming steel cage match |last=Barrasso |first=Justin |date=March 1, 2017 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=October 20, 2022 }}</ref>

=== Return to WWE ===

==== Hall of Famer and Raw General Manager (2017–2018) ====
[[File:Kurt Angle As Raw General Manager In 2017.jpg|thumb|Angle as Raw General Manager in July 2017]]

On January 16, 2017, WWE announced that Angle would be inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Melok|first1=Bobby|title=Kurt Angle to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2017|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-fame/wwe-hall-of-fame-2017/article/kurt-angle-wwe-hall-of-fame-class-2017?sf51197997=1|publisher=WWE|access-date=January 16, 2017}}</ref> On March 16, WWE revealed that his long-time rival [[John Cena]] would induct Angle at the Hall of Fame ceremony.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-hall-fame/wwe-hall-of-fame-2017/article/john-cena-induct-kurt-angle-wwe-hall-of-fame-2017|title=Cena to induct Angle into WWE Hall of Fame|website=WWE}}</ref> On the April 3 episode of ''Raw'' after [[WrestleMania 33]], Angle made his first WWE appearance in nearly 11 years, after [[Vince McMahon|Mr. McMahon]] appointed Angle as the new general manager of Raw.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Keller|first1=Wade|title=Keller's WWE Monday Night Raw 4/3: The most remarkable opening ten minutes of Raw in history, perhaps, as crowd berates Reigns|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/04/03/kellers-wwe-monday-night-raw-23-remarkable-opening-ten-minutes-raw-history-perhaps-crowd-berates-reigns/|publisher=PWTorch|access-date=April 3, 2017}}</ref> On the May 29 episode of ''Raw'', commentator [[Corey Graves]] informed Angle about some "scandalous information" that was sent to him about Angle, with Angle telling Graves "if this is true, it could ruin me". On the July 17 episode of ''Raw'', Angle revealed that he had a son with a woman he dated in college. He stated that his son eventually ended up in the WWE. Angle then made the announcement that his ([[kayfabe|on-screen]]) son was [[Jason Jordan]] of [[American Alpha]], thus moving Jordan to the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw brand]].<ref name="Raw07172017">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2017/07/17/kellers-wwe-raw-report-717-reigns-vs-joe-earn-universal-title-shot-summerslam-angle-mystery-revealed/|title=KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 7/17: Reigns vs. Joe to earn Universal Title shot at Summerslam, Angle mystery revealed|date=July 17, 2017|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=July 17, 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Rousey&Angle WM34 crop.jpg|thumb|left|Angle at [[WrestleMania 34]] with [[Ronda Rousey]]]]

On October 20, 2017, WWE announced Angle's in-ring return after 11 years, replacing [[Roman Reigns]] due to medical issues, and teaming with [[Dean Ambrose]] and [[Seth Rollins]] to face [[The Miz]], [[Braun Strowman]], [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]], and [[Cesaro and Sheamus]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|5-on-3 handicap]] [[Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match]] at [[TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2017)|TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Burdick|first1=Michael|title=Kurt Angle & Raw Tag Team Champions Dean Ambrose & Seth Rollins vs. Intercontinental Champion The Miz, Cesaro, Sheamus, Braun Strowman & Kane (5-on-3 Handicap Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match)|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwetlc/2017/kurt-angle-5-on-3-handicap-tables-ladders-chairs-match|access-date=October 9, 2017|work=WWE}}</ref> Angle (dressed in The Shield's ring attire), Ambrose, and Rollins won the match, despite Angle having initially been taken out when Braun Strowman executed a Running Powerslam on Angle through a table.<ref name="TLC2017">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|date=October 22, 2017|title=Powell's WWE TLC 2017 live review: Kurt Angle, Dean Ambrose, and Seth Rollins vs. Braun Strowman, Kane, The Miz, Sheamus, and Cesaro in a TLC match, AJ Styles vs. Finn Balor, Asuka debuts, Alexa Bliss vs. Mickie James for the Raw Women's Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2017/10/22/powells-wwe-tlc-2017-live-review-kurt-angle-dean-ambrose-seth-rollins-vs-braun-strowman-kane-miz-sheamus-cesaro-tlc-match-aj-styles-vs-finn-balor-asuka-debuts-alexa/|access-date=October 22, 2017|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> On the October 30 episode of ''Raw'', while addressing the fans, commissioner [[Stephanie McMahon]] confronted Angle, announcing that Angle would be the team captain of Team Raw at [[Survivor Series (2017)|Survivor Series]], adding that if Team Raw would lose, Angle would be fired. At the event, Angle's teammate [[Triple H]] attacked him, leading to his elimination by [[Shane McMahon]]; however, Team Raw still went on to win the match. At the [[Elimination Chamber (2018)|Elimination Chamber]], Angle, along with Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, was present when [[Ronda Rousey]] signed her ''Raw'' contract, where Angle brought up the confrontation that Stephanie McMahon and Triple H had with Rousey and [[Dwayne Johnson|The Rock]] at [[WrestleMania 31]] and that they both want to manipulate her. This caused Rousey to put Triple H through a table and be slapped by Stephanie McMahon before signing her contract. The following night on ''Raw'', Angle claimed the allegations he made were false, to keep his job, before being attacked by Triple H. As a result, the following week, Angle scheduled himself to team with Rousey against Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a mixed tag team match at [[WrestleMania 34]], which Angle and Rousey won.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Powell|first1=Jason|date=April 8, 2018|title=Powell's WrestleMania 34 live review: AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura for the WWE Championship, Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship, Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle vs. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/04/08/powells-wrestlemania-34-live-review-aj-styles-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-for-the-wwe-championship-brock-lesnar-vs-roman-reigns-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-charlotte-flair-vs-as/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409013212/https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/04/08/powells-wrestlemania-34-live-review-aj-styles-vs-shinsuke-nakamura-for-the-wwe-championship-brock-lesnar-vs-roman-reigns-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-charlotte-flair-vs-as/|archive-date=April 9, 2018|access-date=April 8, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref> Angle participated in the 50-man Royal Rumble match at the [[WWE Greatest Royal Rumble|Greatest Royal Rumble]] event later that month. He entered at number 16 and eliminated [[Bo Dallas]], [[Primo Colón]], and [[Dolph Ziggler]] before being eliminated by [[Elias (wrestler)|Elias]]. Following WrestleMania, Angle found himself in a power struggle over control of ''Raw'', when the McMahon family appointed [[Baron Corbin]] as the constable of ''Monday Nights'' on the June 4 episode of ''Raw''. This continued until the August 20 episode, when Stephanie McMahon sent Angle on "vacation" before announcing that Corbin would be acting general manager in Angle's absence.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|date=August 20, 2018|title=8/20 Powell's WWE Raw Live TV Review: The night after WWE SummerSlam, new champions Roman Reigns and Ronda Rousey, Triple H appearance, Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/08/20/8-20-powells-wwe-raw-live-tv-review-the-night-after-wwe-summerslam/|access-date=August 22, 2018|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}}</ref>

==== Final matches and retirement (2018–2019) ====
On the October 8, 2018, episode of ''Raw'', Angle made a surprise return, disguised as "[[Los Conquistadores|The Conquistador]]", winning a battle royal after last eliminating Baron Corbin to qualify for the [[WWE World Cup]] at [[Crown Jewel (2018)|Crown Jewel]].<ref name="conq">{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2018-10-08/article/episode-brief-5-wwe-raw-oct-8-2018|title=Kurt Angle won a Global Battle Royal to qualify for the WWE World Cup|work=WWE|first=Anthony|last=Benigno|date=October 8, 2018|access-date=February 19, 2019}}</ref> At the event, Angle was defeated by Dolph Ziggler in the first round of the WWE World Cup Tournament.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wortman|first1=James|title=Dolph Ziggler def. Kurt Angle (WWE World Cup First-Round Match)|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwe-crown-jewel/2018/kurt-angle-dolph-ziggler-results|publisher=WWE|access-date=November 2, 2018}}</ref> On November 5, Angle competed in his first match on ''Raw'' since 2006, for a spot in the [[Survivor Series (2018)|Survivor Series]] men's tag team match, losing to [[Drew McIntyre]], with McIntyre using Angle's own ankle lock finishing maneuver to make him submit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/11/05/11-5-wwe-raw-results-kellers-report-on-usa-network-broadcast-including-survivor-series-build-up-with-ronda-rousey-kurt-angle-seth-dean-aop/|title=11/5 WWE Raw Results: Keller's report on USA Network broadcast including Survivor Series build up with Ronda Rousey, Kurt Angle, Seth, Dean, AOP|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=November 5, 2018|first=Wade|last=Keller|access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref> Angle returned at [[TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2018)|TLC]] on December 16 to help Braun Strowman, along with [[Apollo Crews]], [[Finn Bálor]], [[Bobby Roode]], [[Chad Gable]], defeat Baron Corbin to strip him of authoritative power.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=Powell's WWE TLC live review: Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte Flair vs Asuka in a TLC match for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship, Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose for the IC Title|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2018/12/16/powells-wwe-tlc-live-review-becky-lynch-vs-charlotte-flair-vs-asuka-in-a-tlc-match-for-the-smackdown-womens-championship-daniel-bryan-vs-aj-styles-for-the-wwe-championship-seth-rollins-vs-de/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=December 16, 2018|date=December 16, 2018}}</ref> The next night on ''Raw'', Angle, along with Crews, Roode, and Gable, easily defeated Corbin in a no-disqualification handicap match to prevent him from being the permanent general manager of Raw.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2018/12/17/12-17-wwe-raw-results-kellers-report-on-vince-mcmahon-shaking-things-up-tlc-fallout-balor-vs-zigg/|title=12/17 WWE Raw Results: Keller's report on Vince McMahon shaking things up, TLC fallout, Balor vs. Ziggler|date=December 17, 2018|last=Keller|first=Wade|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|access-date=December 31, 2018}}</ref> At the [[Royal Rumble (2019)|2019 Royal Rumble]] on January 27, 2019, Angle entered the match at number four but was eliminated by [[Shinsuke Nakamura]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=Powell's WWE Royal Rumble 2019 live review: Men's and Women's Royal Rumble matches, Brock Lesnar vs. Finn Balor for the WWE Universal Championship, Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship, Ronda Rousey vs. Sasha Banks for the Raw Women's Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/01/27/powells-wwe-royal-rumble-2019-live-review-mens-and-womens-royal-rumble-matches-brock-lesnar-vs-finn-balor-for-the-wwe-universal-championship-daniel-bryan-vs-aj-styles-for-the-wwe-championsh/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=January 27, 2019|date=January 27, 2019}}</ref>

On the March 11, 2019, episode of ''Raw'', Angle announced he would retire at [[WrestleMania 35]] and chose Baron Corbin as his final opponent at the event.<ref name="Raw03112019">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/03/11/3-11-powells-wwe-raw-tv-review-the-shields-farewell-batista-and-triple-h-finn-balor-vs-bobby-lashley-for-the-intercontinental-championship-all-roads-lead-to-wrestlemania-coming-out-of-wwe-fas/|title=3/11 Powell's WWE Raw TV Review: The Shield's farewell, Batista and Triple H, Finn Balor vs. Bobby Lashley for the Intercontinental Championship, all roads lead to WrestleMania coming out of WWE Fastlane|date=March 11, 2019|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=March 12, 2019}}</ref> Over the following weeks, Angle embarked on a "Farewell Tour", facing several handpicked opponents, including Apollo Crews,<ref name="Raw03112019"/> Chad Gable,<ref name="Raw03182019">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/03/18/3-18-powells-wwe-raw-tv-review-kurt-angle-reveals-his-wrestlemania-opponent-seth-rollins-vs-drew-mcintyre-raw-womens-champion-ronda-rousey-vs-dana-brooke-bobby-lashley-and-lio-rush-vs-finn/|title=3/18 Powell's WWE Raw TV Review: Kurt Angle reveals his WrestleMania opponent, Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre, Ronda Rousey vs. Dana Brooke for the Raw Women's Championship, Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush vs. Finn Balor and a partner of his choosing|date=March 18, 2019|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=March 19, 2019}}</ref> [[Samoa Joe]],<ref name="Raw03252019">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/03/25/3-25-powells-wwe-raw-tv-review-ronda-rousey-becky-lynch-and-charlotte-flair-face-riott-squad-in-beat-the-clock-challenge-matches-kurt-angle-vs-samoa-joe-the-penultimate-edition-before-wrestlem/|title=3/25 Powell's WWE Raw TV Review: Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair face Riott Squad in Beat The Clock Challenge matches, Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe, the penultimate edition before WrestleMania 35|date=March 25, 2019|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=March 26, 2019}}</ref> and [[A.J. Styles|AJ Styles]].<ref name="SmackDown03262019">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/03/26/3-26-barnetts-wwe-smackdown-live-tv-review-new-day-respond-to-vince-mcmahon-sabotaging-kofi-kingston-kurt-angle-vs-aj-styles-mandy-rose-vs-naomi-vs-sonya-deville-vs-carmella-for-a-shot-at-the/|title=3/26 Barnett's WWE Smackdown Live TV Review: New Day respond to Vince McMahon sabotaging Kofi Kingston, Asuka vs. Charlotte for the Smackdown Women's Championship, Kurt Angle vs. AJ Styles|date=March 26, 2019|last=Barnett|first=Jake|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=March 27, 2019}}</ref> At WrestleMania 35, Angle lost to Corbin in his final match.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Powers|first1=Kevin|title=Baron Corbin def. Kurt Angle|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/wrestlemania-35/kurt-angle-vs-baron-corbin-results|work=WWE|date=April 7, 2019|access-date=April 8, 2019}}</ref> On the ''Raw'' after WrestleMania, Angle attacked Corbin, and was subsequently attacked by a debuting [[Lars Sullivan]].<ref name="Raw04082019">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/04/08/4-8-powells-wwe-raw-tv-review-the-night-after-wrestlemania-35-edition-featuring-new-raw-and-smackdown-womens-champion-becky-lynch-new-wwe-universal-champion-seth-rollins-new-intercontinental-ch/|title=4/8 Powell's WWE Raw TV Review: The night after WrestleMania 35 edition featuring new Raw and Smackdown Women's Champion Becky Lynch, new WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins, new Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor, and new Raw Tag Champions Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins|date=April 8, 2019|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=April 9, 2019}}</ref> Afterwards, Angle transitioned to a backstage role as a producer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/kurt-angle-new-role-wwe-contract/|title=Kurt Angle Reveals New Role In WWE And Length Of Latest Contract|date=April 30, 2019|website=Pro Wrestling Sheet|first=Ryan|last=Satin|author-link=Ryan Satin|access-date=April 30, 2019}}</ref>

==== Sporadic appearances (2019–present) ====
[[File:Kurt Angle (53983148398).jpg|thumb|Angle at [[GalaxyCon]] Raleigh in 2024]]
On July 22, 2019, Angle appeared on ''[[List of WWE Raw special episodes|Raw Reunion]]'' and raised a toast alongside Triple H, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and various other fellow wrestlers of his era.<ref name="RawReunion2019">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/07/22/7-22-wwe-raw-results-powells-review-raw-reunion-featuring-steve-austin-ric-flair-dx-hulk-hogan-and-many-more-alexa-bliss-talkshow-with-becky-lynch-the-build-to-summerslam-continues/|title=7/22 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review Raw Reunion featuring Steve Austin, Ric Flair, DX, Hulk Hogan, and many more, Alexa Bliss talkshow with Becky Lynch, the build to SummerSlam continues|date=July 22, 2019|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=July 23, 2019}}</ref> On the August 5 episode of ''Raw'' in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Angle made an appearance as the special guest referee for a match between Drew McIntyre and [[Cedric Alexander]]. However, McIntyre and Alexander took out each other before the match began, and Angle was then attacked by [[Bray Wyatt|"The Fiend" Bray Wyatt]].<ref name="Raw08052019">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=8/5 WWE Raw Results: Powell's review of Brock Lesnar and Seth Rollins heading into SummerSlam, Trish Stratus and Natalya vs. Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair, Rey Mysterio vs. Andrade, Miz TV featuring Shawn Michaels and a contract signing|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2019/08/05/8-5-wwe-raw-results-powells-review-of-brock-lesnar-and-seth-rollins-heading-into-summerslam-trish-stratus-and-natalya-vs-becky-lynch-and-charlotte-flair-rey-mysterio-vs-andrade-miz-tv-featurin/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=August 5, 2019|access-date=August 6, 2019}}</ref> On April 15, 2020, Angle was released from his WWE contract as part of budget cuts stemming from the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/article/wwe-talent-releases-kurt-angle-drake-maverick-karl-anderson|title=Rusev, Kurt Angle and other Superstars released|work=WWE|date=April 15, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/wwe-talent-cuts-kurt-angle-rusev-among-those-released-in-response-to-coronavirus-impact/|title=WWE talent cuts: Kurt Angle, Rusev among those released in response to coronavirus impact|date=April 15, 2020|website=CBS Sports|first=Brent|last=Brookhouse|access-date=April 15, 2020}}</ref>

On the May 27, 2020, episode of ''[[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]]'', Angle served as the special guest referee in a steel cage match between [[Matt Riddle]] and [[Timothy Thatcher]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Garretson |first1=Jordan |title=Kurt Angle to referee Matt Riddle and Timothy Thatcher in the NXT Fight Pit tonight |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2020-05-27/article/kurt-angle-guest-referee-matt-riddle-timothy-thatcher-cage-fight |website=wwe.com |access-date=July 10, 2020 |date=May 23, 2020}}</ref> He appeared again two days later on the May 29 episode of ''SmackDown'' to announce the arrival of Matt Riddle to the brand.<ref>{{cite web |title=Matt Riddle gets SmackDown introduction from Kurt Angle: SmackDown, May 29, 2020 |url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/matt-riddle-gets-smackdown-introduction-from-kurt-angle-smackdown-may-29-2020 |website=wwe.com |access-date=July 10, 2020 |date=May 29, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|ta83XvJ3lrs|"Matt Riddle gets SmackDown introduction from Kurt Angle: SmackDown, May 29, 2020"}}</ref> In an interview with CBR.com, Angle revealed that WWE offered him a new deal to come back under the role of Matt Riddle's manager, but he turned it down in order to focus on his health and his nutrition business.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/kurt-angle-turned-down-wwe-offer-manage-matt-riddle/|title=EXCLUSIVE: Kurt Angle Turned Down WWE Offer to Manage Matt Riddle|website=CBR|date=June 2, 2020}}</ref>

On the June 27, 2022, episode of ''Raw'', Angle made an appearance via a video message to congratulate John Cena on his 20-year career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/wwe-raw-aew-bryan-danielson-paul-wight-john-cena-video-message/|title=Three AEW Stars Appeared on This Week's WWE Raw to Congratulate John Cena (Update)|website=WWE|date=June 28, 2022 }}</ref>

Angle would appear on the August 29 episode of ''Raw'', which took place in his hometown of Pittsburgh, sporting his old Team Angle attire. He would get into an altercation with [[Alpha Academy]] (Chad Gable and [[Otis (wrestler)|Otis]]) before being aided by [[Street Profits|The Street Profits]] ([[Street Profits|Angelo Dawkins]] and [[Street Profits|Montez Ford]]), which led to a tag team match between the two teams with the stipulation that if Alpha Academy won, Angle would have to join them. The Street Profits would win the match and afterwards, Angle celebrated with them by drinking milk. Later on in the night, Angle reunited with Edge backstage and would get pranked by him with rigged pictures containing mocking slogans on the back of them in a similar fashion to a segment the duo had in 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwtorch.com/site/2022/08/29/8-29-wwe-monday-night-raw-results-kellers-report-on-kurt-angles-return-seth-riddle-face-to-face-rodriguez-aliyah-vs-kai-sky-in-womens-tag-title-tournament-final-usos-sami-visit/|title=8/29 WWE Monday Night Raw Results: Keller's report on Kurt Angle's return, Seth-Riddle face-to-face, Rodriguez & Aliyah vs. Kai & Sky in Women's Tag Title Tournament Final, Usos & Sami visit|first=Dennis|last=Papaleo}}</ref>

Angle made his next appearance on the December 9 episode of ''SmackDown'', where he celebrated his 54th birthday. He interacted with various superstars backstage, including his storyline son, Jason Jordan, before once again getting into an altercation with Alpha Academy at the end of the show during his in-ring celebration. Angle would be aided by [[Gable Steveson]], who drove a milk truck to the ring, with the two spraying Alpha Academy with milk from a hose, mimicking Angle's famous 2001 segment.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/results/wwe-smackdown-live-results-kurt-angle-birthday-celebration/|title=WWE SmackDown live results: Kurt Angle birthday celebration|date=December 10, 2022|website=F4W/WON}}</ref> After the show went off the air, Rey Mysterio led the superstars and audience in singing "Happy Birthday" to Angle.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gerweck.net/2022/12/10/wwe-superstars-sing-happy-birthday-to-kurt-angle-after-smackdown-goes-off-air/|title=WWE Superstars sing Happy Birthday to Kurt Angle after Smackdown goes off air|date=December 10, 2022}}</ref>

On ''[[WWE Raw is XXX|Raw is XXX]]'' on January 23, 2023, Angle appeared in a segment with [[D-Generation X]] (Triple H, Shawn Michaels, [[Road Dogg]] and [[Sean Waltman|X-Pac]]) before serving as the special guest referee in a six-man tag team match involving The Street Profits and Seth Rollins against [[Imperium (professional wrestling)|Imperium]] ([[Gunther (wrestler)|Gunther]], [[Ludwig Kaiser]] and [[Giovanni Vinci]]), which the former team won.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/wwe-raw-30-recap-and-review-nostalgia-is-a-helluva-drug/|title=WWE Raw 30 Recap and Review: Nostalgia is a Helluva Drug|first=Jude |last=Terror|date=January 24, 2023|website=bleedingcool.com}}</ref>

On February 1, 2025, Angle was acknowledged amongst other legends at ringside at the [[Royal Rumble (2025)|Royal Rumble]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Ali |date=2025-02-02 |title=Kurt Angle and 5 other legends who returned to WWE at Royal Rumble 2025 |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/kurt-angle-5-legends-returned-wwe-royal-rumble-2025 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

== Professional wrestling style and persona ==
[[File:Kurt Angle ankle lock Samoa Joe.jpg|Angle applying the Ankle Lock on [[Samoa Joe]]|thumb|right|upright=1.13]]

When Angle began to train as a professional wrestler, he was asked to not watch old tapes, since the style had changed during the [[Attitude Era]] and the matches were more aggressive. Instead, he learned by watching then-current wrestlers such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, or The Rock.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Surrao |first1=Lennard |title="You have got to steal moves from the best" – Former WWE Champion admits he took Bret Hart's move |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/wwe/news-you-got-steal-moves-best-former-wwe-champion-admits-took-bret-hart-s-move |access-date=March 5, 2021 |work=Sportskeeda |date=March 4, 2021 |language=en-us}}</ref> Angle said his match against The Rock at No Way Out 2001 was the transition between the "funny, goofy Kurt Angle to a more serious competitor", including more offense.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lovell |first1=Blake |title=Kurt Angle Recalls Botched Finish In No Way Out 2001 Match With The Rock, What Rock Told Earl Hebner |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/kurt-angle-no-way-out-2001-the-rock-earl-hebner/ |access-date=March 8, 2021 |work=411 Mania |date=March 8, 2021}}</ref>

Angle's Olympic gold medal has frequently been incorporated into his professional wrestling persona. His personality varies depending on his alignment as a [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] or [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]]. As a face, Angle usually performs as a role model; but as a heel arrogantly uses his achievements to insult other people. He mixes aspects from his amateur wrestling background with his in-ring work, performing various [[suplex]]es, including the belly-to-back, German,<ref name="TP2009"/> and belly-to-belly, as well as submissions, such as the [[Professional wrestling holds#Rear naked choke|rear naked choke]]<ref>{{cite web|title=SmackDown Results – 3/31/06 – Kansas City, MO (Build for WM22...)|publisher=WrestleView|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1143877172.shtml|last=Martin|first=Adam|access-date=January 11, 2010|date=April 1, 2006}}</ref> or the [[Professional wrestling holds#Triangle choke|triangle choke]].<ref name="TP2009"/> He primarily performs two finishing maneuvers to end his matches: an [[Professional wrestling throws#Olympic slam|Olympic slam]], dubbed "Angle Slam", and an [[Professional wrestling holds#Ankle lock|ankle lock]].<ref name="WWEAlumni"/>

During Angle's entrances in WWE, it is common for fans to chant "you suck!" to the tune of his entrance music. The chants originated during Angle's feud with The Rock in February 2001, but gained popularity during his feud with Edge in 2002. The chants have become a trademark of Angle's persona, regardless if he is a face or heel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://heavy.com/sports/2017/07/wwe-how-when-did-kurt-angle-you-suck-chant-start/|title = WWE: How & when Did the Kurt Angle 'You Suck' Chant Get Started?|work = [[Heavy.com]]|date = July 24, 2017}}</ref> The theme song was later adopted by UFC fighter [[Colby Covington]].

==Video games==
Angle appeared in every WWE/F video game from 2000's ''[[WWF Royal Rumble (2000 video game)|WWF Royal Rumble]]'' up to ''[[WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007]]'', released in 2006. After an eleven-year absence, Angle made his return to WWE video games as a playable character in ''[[WWE 2K18]]'' (as [[downloadable content]]), before subsequently appearing in ''[[WWE 2K19]], [[WWE 2K20]]'', and returning in ''[[WWE 2K23]]'', ''[[WWE 2K24]]'' and ''[[WWE 2K25]]''. He also appears in ''[[TNA Impact! (video game)|TNA Impact!]]'', ''[[TNA Wrestling (video game)|TNA Wrestling]]'', and ''[[TNA Wrestling Impact!]]''.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.giantbomb.com/kurt-angle/3005-199/games/ |title = Kurt Angle Games}}</ref>

== Acting career ==
Angle expressed interest in pursuing an acting career after retiring from professional wrestling. In 2008, he made his film debut as a racist prison deputy in the [[short film]] ''Chains''.<ref name="Chains (2009/II short)">{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1374846/|title=Chains|publisher=IMDb}}</ref> In 2009, he played [[serial killer]] Brad Mayfield in the film ''End Game''. On a third-season episode of ''[[Pros vs. Joes]]'', he was teamed up with Jimmy Smith and Kendall Gill against the Joes. Angle appeared in the "Car Wreck Vanish" episode of ''[[Criss Angel Mindfreak]]''. He played [[Russians|Russian]] MMA champion Koba (in a non-speaking role) in the 2011 film ''[[Warrior (2011 film)|Warrior]]'', and starred as town sheriff Will Logan in the film ''[[River of Darkness]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/33869/kurt-angle-wrestles-kevin-nash-down-a-river-darkness|title=Kurt Angle Wrestles Kevin Nash Down a River of Darkness|publisher=Dreadcentral.com|date=October 6, 2009|access-date=August 3, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fangoria.com/home/indie-frights/4452-wrestler-horror-river-of-darkness-wraps-exclusive-first-photos.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029041116/http://www.fangoria.com/home/indie-frights/4452-wrestler-horror-river-of-darkness-wraps-exclusive-first-photos.html|url-status=dead|title=Wrestler horror River of Darkness wraps; exclusive first photos|archive-date=October 29, 2009}}</ref>

On the ''Right After Wrestling'' program on [[Sirius Satellite Radio]], Angle revealed he would become a part-time wrestler after his contract expired in 2011 to focus on Angle Foods and his acting career.<ref name="rightafterwrestling">{{cite web|url=http://radio.thescore.com/episodes/kurt-angle-interview-october-4-2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20101008171052/http://radio.thescore.com/episodes/kurt-angle-interview-october-4-2010|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 8, 2010|title=Kurt Angle talks about future|access-date=October 4, 2010|work=Sirius Radio 98|publisher=[[The Score Satellite Radio]]}}</ref> In the 2013 film ''[[Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies]]'', he plays himself as both a human and a zombie.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2240046/|title=Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies (2014)|author=Matthew Sampson|date=March 28, 2014|publisher=IMDb|access-date=July 17, 2015}}</ref> Angle also had a small role in the 2014 cult-film ''[[Sharknado 2: The Second One]]'' and in the 2014 romantic-comedy film ''[[Not Cool (film)|Not Cool]]''. He appeared in the film ''[[The Last Witch Hunter]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ritman |first=Alex |date=January 13, 2017 |title=Former WWE Star Kurt Angle Returns to Ring for Wrestling Comedy (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kurt-angle-starring-wrestling-comedy-ring-963813/ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref> He also made a cameo appearance in the movie ''[[Pain and Gain]]'', in which he brawls with [[Dwayne Johnson]]'s character in a prison fight. Angle appeared on an episode of ''[[Duck Dynasty]]'' in February 2016.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lipshutz |first=Jason |date=January 20, 2014 |title=One Direction's Liam Payne Defends 'Duck Dynasty' Endorsement on Twitter |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/one-directions-liam-payne-defends-duck-dynasty-endorsement-on-5876973/ |access-date=February 1, 2024 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Filmography ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Film
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 2009
| ''End Game''
| Brad Mayfield
|
|-
| 2009
| ''Chains''
| Deputy
| Short film
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Dylan Dog: Dead of Night]]''
| Wolfgang
|
|-
| 2011
| ''[[River of Darkness]]''
| Sheriff Will Logan
|
|-
| 2011
| ''Waking Up''
| "Crush" Carlisle
| Short film
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Warrior (2011 film)|Warrior]]''
| "The Great" Koba
|
|-
| 2012
| ''Beyond the Mat''
| Coach Kamen
| Still not released
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Death from Above (film)|Death from Above]]''
| Thule
|
|-
| 2012
| ''Drummer for the Mob''
| FBI Agent
|
|-
| 2012
| ''Olympic Trials with Kurt Angle''
| Himself
| [[Funny or Die]] short
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Pain & Gain]]''
| Benjamin Rowe
|
|-
| 2013
| ''Horse Cops''
| Eli Paste
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies]]''
| Himself
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Sharknado 2: The Second One]]''
| Fire Chief
|
|-
| 2014
| ''Not Cool''
| Security Guard
|
|-
| 2015
| ''[[The Last Witch Hunter]]''
| Bodyguard
|
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Television
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! Notes
|-
| 1997
| ''[[WPGH-TV#News operation|Fox 53 Ten O'Clock News]]''
| Himself
| Sportscaster: "The Angle on Sports"
|-
| 2000
| ''[[SMTV Live]]''
| Himself
|
|-
| 2001
| ''[[The Weakest Link]]''
| Himself
|
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Inside MMA]]''
| Himself
| Season 1, episodes 10 and 11
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Pros vs. Joes]]''
| Himself
| Season 3, episode 1
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Criss Angel Mindfreak]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Car Wreck Vanish"
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Extreme Makeover: Home Edition]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "The Lampe Family"
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Baal Veer]]''
| Himself
|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/picture-gallery/olympic-gold-medalist-kurt-angle-to-fight-balveer-/4064-1.html|title=PHOTOS: Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle to fight 'Balveer'? Photo Gallery, Picture News Gallery|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=December 9, 2013|access-date=March 20, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212221941/http://www.indianexpress.com/picture-gallery/olympic-gold-medalist-kurt-angle-to-fight-balveer-/4064-1.html|archive-date=December 12, 2013}}</ref>
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Duck Dynasty]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Van He'llsing"
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Those Who Can't]]''
| Coach Joe Donnelly<ref>{{Citation|title="Those Who Can't" A New Dog in the Yard (TV Episode 2016) – IMDb|date=November 17, 2016|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6069404/|language=en-US|access-date=August 31, 2021}}</ref>
| Episode: "A New Dog in the Yard"
|-
| 2018–2019
| ''[[OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes]]''
| Chip Damage
| Voice; 6 episodes
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Ryan's Mystery Playdate]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Ryan's Super Tough Playdate"
|-
|}

== Other endeavors ==
In 1996, Angle became a marketing representative for Protos Foods, the manufacturers of OSTRIM, an [[ostrich]]-meat-based foodstuff.<ref name="Business Wire">{{cite news|title=Kurt Angle, 1996 Olympic Gold Medal Wrestler Signs Multi-Year Deal With World Wrestling Federation |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1998_Oct_17/ai_53092508 |publisher=Business Wire |access-date=July 14, 2007 |date=October 17, 1998 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071203014523/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1998_Oct_17/ai_53092508 |archive-date=December 3, 2007 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=HarperEntertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/200 200]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/200}}</ref> In 1997, he worked for a year as a [[Sports commentator|sportscaster]] on Pittsburgh's local [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] affiliate [[WPGH-TV]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_5_2/ai_68951388/pg_2|title=It's True: He's a Real American Hero|author=Thomas Chamberlin|publisher=Wrestling Digest|access-date=September 2, 2007|date=February 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228195703/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCO/is_5_2/ai_68951388/pg_2|archive-date=February 28, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/200511angle1|title=A grateful Angle comments on hometown reception|first=David|last=Agostino|publisher=WWE|access-date=September 2, 2007|date=August 12, 2005}}</ref> He also did a commercial for Pittsburgh-based [[pizza]] chain [[Vocelli Pizza|Pizza Outlet]]. Both Angle's pizza commercial and his time on WPGH-TV would be referenced on WWE television (the latter through the [[WWE Network]] show ''Ride Along''), and his time with WPGH-TV would also make him an alumnus of WPGH-TV parent [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] without having ever appeared for Sinclair-owned wrestling promotion [[Ring of Honor]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2864bf|title=Kurt Angle Pizza Commercial – video dailymotion|website=Dailymotion|date=October 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-n1ZKXOc6Gg| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/-n1ZKXOc6Gg| archive-date=November 15, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Kurt Angle on his disaster as a sportscaster (WWE Network Exclusive)|date=July 3, 2017|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Angle is a longtime fan of [[Mixed martial arts|MMA]], and has occasionally talked about his desire to compete. [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] president [[Dana White]] stated that Angle was in talks to appear as a heavyweight contestant on the 10th season of ''[[The Ultimate Fighter]]'', but did not meet the medical requirements. Angle signed with [[Bellator MMA]] on October 28, 2015. He attended a fan convention on November 6, the eve of [[Bellator MMA in 2015#Bellator 145|Bellator 145]], then joined the commentary booth the next night, during the [[Bobby Lashley]] vs. [[James Thompson (fighter)|James Thompson]] match, where he teased possibly fighting for the promotion himself.<ref>[http://www.sportsjoe.ie/mma/kurt-angle-yes-that-kurt-angle-has-revealed-that-he-could-end-up-taking-an-mma-fight/48351 "Kurt Angle, yes that Kurt Angle, has revealed that he could end up taking MMA fight", by Darragh Murphy, SportsJoe.ie].</ref>

Angle's book, ''It's True It's True'', was released on September 18, 2001.<ref>{{Cite book |isbn = 978-0061098932|title = It's True! It's True!|last1 = Angle|first1 = Kurt|last2 = Harper|first2 = John|date = October 2002| publisher=Harper Collins }}</ref> In 2008, Angle was selected to be featured on the cover for metal band [[Emmure]]'s second album ''[[The Respect Issue]]'', where he is depicted on the front and back covers for the record, as well as on the inlay.<ref name="emmurerespect">{{cite web|title=e Respect Issue (Behind the Scenes) Featuring Kurt Angle|url=http://ifitsnotyouitssomeoneelse.blogspot.com/2008/05/emmure-respect-issue-behind-scenes.html|work=TheDoublejShow|access-date=May 4, 2011}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=June 2018}}

From January 2021 to January 2024, Angle co-hosted a podcast called ''The Kurt Angle Show'' with [[Conrad Thompson]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/wrestling/2021/01/28/wwe-kurt-angle-podcast-conrad-thompson-westwood-one |title=Kurt Angle Launches First Podcast: 'I Won't Be Holding Back' |last=Barrasso |first=Justin |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|access-date=January 28, 2021|date=January 28, 2021}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
[[File:Kurt Angle 1.JPG|thumb|upright|Angle being helped by his then-wife Karen, with their daughter watching at ringside (far back)]]

Angle married [[Karen Jarrett|Karen Smedley]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2757878/bio|title=Karen Angle biography|publisher=[[IMDb]]|access-date=October 12, 2007}}</ref> on December 19, 1998.<ref>{{cite book|last=Angle|first=Kurt|title=It's True, It's True|edition=Hardcover|publisher=HarperEntertainment|isbn=978-0-06-039327-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/187 187]|date=September 18, 2001|url=https://archive.org/details/itstrueitstrue00angl/page/187}}</ref> They have two children together.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1191837215.shtml|title=As I See It 10/8: Tick, tick...boom|date=October 8, 2007|last=Magee|first=Bob|work=WrestleView|access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref> In September 2008, it was reported that Karen had filed for divorce from Kurt.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/component/content/article/6774/|title=Wed. update; Lesnar-Couture tickets; wrestling couple splitting; Foley TNA news, ratings notes|date=September 17, 2008|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|access-date=August 16, 2012}}</ref> In 2010, it was reported that Angle was engaged to actress Giovanna Yannotti.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_40651.shtml|title=TNA News: Kurt Angle reportedly engaged to young model|publisher=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=April 14, 2010|access-date=April 18, 2010|last=Caldwell|first=James}}</ref> Angle and Yannotti were married on July 20, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1342802449|title=TNA star Kurt Angle getting married today|last=Nemer|first=Roy|date=July 20, 2012|work=WrestleView|access-date=July 21, 2012}}</ref> They have three children, one of whom was adopted.{{refn|<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/17754/|title=Thurs. update: Lots of TV tonight, Hall of Famer expects child soon, Ratings good and bad, Scoring|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=September 30, 2010|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|access-date=September 30, 2010|quote=Giovanna Yanotti, the actress/fiance of Kurt Angle, announced today that the couple is expecting their first child.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/content/view/19161/|title=Sat. update: Angle rushed home from European tour, fiance labor induced, Team RKO put back together|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 22, 2011|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|access-date=January 23, 2011|quote=Kurt Angle rushed back to Pittsburgh from the European tour last night when he got a phone call that his pregnant fiance, actress Giovanna Yannotti, had been rushed to the hospital with extremely high blood pressure and passed out. The doctors felt it necessary to induce labor and she gave birth to Giuliana Marie Angle, a 5.5 pound 18 inch long baby. The baby is said to be doing well, although she is about three weeks premature. At last word, the mother was still in intensive care with doctors today attempting to get her blood pressure under control.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/GiovannaAngle/status/286565113371189248/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130407023219/http://twitter.com/GiovannaAngle/status/286565113371189248/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 7, 2013|title=Giovanna Angle's Twitter Account|date=January 2, 2013}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=March 2023}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwinsider.com/article/105841/kurt-angle-welcomes-birth-of-new-daughter.html|title=Kurt Angle welcomes birth of new daughter|access-date=November 8, 2016|work=Pro Wrestling Insider}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/ByhpXznH6aa/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/instagram/therealkurtangle/2063112060184536730 |archive-date=December 23, 2021 |url-access=subscription|title=Kurt Angle on Instagram: "My wife and I are in Bulgaria visiting our adopted son. We ran into this at the mall. It's a mini wrestling ring. I heard @rusevig trained…"|website=Instagram|access-date=June 13, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>}}

Angle is a [[Christians|Christian]].<ref name="twitter.com">{{cite tweet|user=RealKurtAngle|author=Kurt Angle|number=468104271758905345|date=May 18, 2014|title=Sunday. Prayer day. Church day. We go, not for Our needs, but to celebrate HIM! #Sacrifice}}</ref><ref name="youtube.com">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNTLIZY7fKg| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211115/TNTLIZY7fKg| archive-date=November 15, 2021 | url-status=live|title=#MyComeback 3|date=May 23, 2014|via=YouTube|access-date=July 17, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He supported [[Marco Rubio]] in the [[2016 Republican Party presidential primaries]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/267271-pro-wrestler-kurt-angle-goes-to-the-mat-for-rubio|title=Pro wrestler Kurt Angle goes to the mat for Rubio|first=Elliot|last=Smilowitz|date=January 27, 2016|website=The Hill}}</ref> He is a supporter of the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] and [[Pittsburgh Penguins]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/realkurtangle/status/741297078945632257|title=Kurt Angle on Twitter|via=Twitter|access-date=March 25, 2018|language=en}}</ref>

{{Primary source inline|date=March 2023}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2011/07/23/qampa-the-mixed-martial-arts-and-crafts-of-kurt-angle/|title=Q&A: The Mixed Martial Arts And Crafts Of Kurt Angle|work=Big Lead Sports|date=July 23, 2011|access-date=May 9, 2012}}</ref> In July 2015, Angle underwent emergency surgery to remove fluid buildup on his [[spinal cord]] after all of his [[Limb (anatomy)|extremities]] had become numb.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/buzzer/story/kurt-angle-emergency-surgery-tna-wwe-071615|title=Kurt Angle undergoes emergency surgery after losing feeling in extremities|work=Fox Sports|access-date=July 17, 2015|date=July 16, 2015}}</ref> A week before this emergency, he had surgery to remove a [[benign tumor]] from his neck.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2508903-kurt-angle-hospitalized-updates-on-tna-stars-recovery-from-surgery|title=Kurt Angle Hospitalized: Updates on TNA Star's Recovery from Surgery|quote=Just one week after undergoing a successful operation to remove a benign tumor from his neck, TNA star Kurt Angle was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery to remove fluid buildup on his spinal cord.|author=Mike Chiari|work=[[Bleacher Report]]}}</ref>

In 2007, ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' reported that Angle's name was found in the client database of a Florida wellness center suspected of being a front for distributing [[performance enhancing drugs]].<ref>{{cite magazine|first=Luis Fernando|last=Llosa|author2=L. Jon Wertheim|title=Inside the Steroid Sting|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/03/06/rx.trouble0312/1.html|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=March 6, 2007|access-date=March 6, 2007|archive-date=March 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308091417/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/03/06/rx.trouble0312/1.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The magazine alleged that Angle had received prescriptions for [[trenbolone]] (which is not approved for human use by the [[Food and Drug Administration (United States)|Food and Drug Administration]]) and [[nandrolone]], both [[anabolic steroid]]s. Angle denied the allegations, commenting that his neck issues were well documented.<ref name="Angle Responds">{{cite news|first=Kurt|last=Angle|title=Angle responds|url=http://www.kurtangletna.net/letter.htm|publisher=Kurt Angle's Official Website|date=March 8, 2007|access-date=March 8, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310175012/http://www.kurtangletna.net/letter.htm|archive-date=March 10, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> Angle only failed a drugs test under [[WWE Wellness Policy|WWE's Wellness Policy]] because his prescription for nandrolone had expired.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.steroids.info/2011/09/14/wrestler-kurt-angle-continues-to-deny-using-steroids-for-performance-enhancement/|title=Wrestler Kurt Angle Continues to Deny Using Steroids for Performance Enhancement|work=Steroids.info|date=September 14, 2011|access-date=January 6, 2018}}</ref> Angle has been open about struggles with addiction to prescription pain medication. He claims that he developed an addiction to pain killers in 2003, and that his addictions got so out of control that at one point he was taking up to 65 extra-strength [[Vicodin]] per day. Angle states that after completing rehabilitation following a 2013 DUI arrest, he has been clean and sober.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17619709/former-wwe-star-kurt-angle-says-took-65-extra-strength-vicodin-day-height-addiction-issues|title=Kurt Angle says he took '65 Vicodin a day' at height of addiction issues|publisher=ESPN|author=Nicholas Atkin|date=September 13, 2016|access-date=December 25, 2022}}</ref>

=== Legal issues ===
In September 2007, Angle was arrested by the [[Moon Township Police Department]] in [[Moon Township, Pennsylvania]], a part of the [[Greater Pittsburgh Region|Greater Pittsburgh area]], on a DUI charge, after police received a report of an erratic driver leaving a local bar. Angle was charged with driving under the influence and careless driving after police traced the description of the car to his home. Angle was later found not guilty on those charges when the complaining witness was unable to corroborate her story.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/56426/kurt-angle-arrested.html|title=Kurt Angle Arrested |date=March 25, 2011|access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2007/10/kurt-angle-dui-update-new-information-released-501096/|title=Kurt Angle DUI Update: New Information Released|date=October 3, 2007|access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref>

On August 15, 2009, Angle was again arrested by the Moon Township Police Department.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/breaking/2009/08/15/Kurt-Angle-arrested-on-PFA-violation-possession-of-HGH/stories/200908150148|title=Kurt Angle arrested on PFA violation, possession of HGH|date=August 15, 2009|access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref> His girlfriend stated that she had filed a protection from abuse (PFA) order and that he was stalking her in the [[Robinson Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania|Robinson]] area. Angle was charged with "driving while operating privilege is suspended, prohibited acts-possession, harassment and prohibited acts". [[Hygetropin]], a [[Growth hormone|human growth hormone]], was found in his car; Angle maintained that he had a prescription for the drug.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wrestler Kurt Angle Arrested|publisher=[[WPXI]]|url=http://www.wpxi.com/news/20411616/detail.html|access-date=August 15, 2009|date=August 15, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818024427/http://www.wpxi.com/news/20411616/detail.html|archive-date=August 18, 2009}}</ref> On September 15, a District Court judge dropped the harassment, suspended license, and drug charges against Angle. On November 9, the PFA charges were dropped after he and former girlfriend [[Trenesha Biggers]] reached an agreement to avoid contact with each other.<ref>{{cite web|title=Protection Order Against Wrestler Kurt Angle Dismissed|publisher=WTAE Pittsburgh|url=http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/allegheny/21560802/detail.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091215000554/http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/allegheny/21560802/detail.html|archive-date=December 15, 2009|access-date=November 9, 2009|date=November 9, 2009}}</ref>

On March 25, 2011, Angle was arrested by [[North Dakota Highway Patrol]] officers in [[Thompson, North Dakota]], and charged with "being in control of a motor vehicle while [[Alcohol intoxication|intoxicated]]", after failing a field sobriety test.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_48730.shtml|title=TNA News: TMZ reports Kurt Angle arrested Friday morning on intoxication charge following TNA house show|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=March 26, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2011/03/25/kurt-angle-wrestler-dui-court-charged-north-dakota-wwe-tna-olympic-gold-medal-drunk-driving-vehicle-werstling/|title=Kurt Angle Arrested for Being Drunk in a Car|work=[[TMZ.com]]|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=March 26, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://publicsearch.ndcourts.gov/CaseDetail.aspx?CaseID=1173408|title=State of North Dakota vs. Kurt Steven Angle|work=North Dakota Courts Records Inquiry|access-date=March 31, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grandforksherald.com/entertainment/2151070-olympic-gold-medalist-turned-pro-wrestler-angle-arrested-near-thompson-nd|title=Olympic gold medalist-turned-pro-wrestler Angle arrested near Thompson, N.D.|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref> Angle later pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced on April 20 to one year of [[unsupervised probation]], a [[chemical dependency]] evaluation, a $250 fine, $225 in court fees, and a ten-day [[suspended sentence]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_49451.shtml|title=Angle News: Kurt Angle sentenced for reckless driving following March arrest, new information on arrest|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=April 20, 2011|access-date=April 20, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1303316249|title=Kurt Angle sentenced for reckless driving arrest|last=Tedesco|first=Mike|work=WrestleView|date=April 20, 2011|access-date=April 20, 2011}}</ref>

Angle was arrested in the early morning of September 4, 2011, by [[Virginia State Troopers]] for allegedly driving under the influence. Angle was placed in [[Warren County, Virginia|Warren County]] Jail, before posting $2,000 bail and being released.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/quicknews/article_52952.shtml|title=Breaking – Kurt Angle arrested Sunday|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=September 4, 2011|access-date=September 4, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1315179666|title=TMZ: Kurt Angle arrested for DWI on Sunday|last=Martin|first=Adam|work=WrestleView|date=September 4, 2011|access-date=September 4, 2011|archive-date=October 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003051503/http://www.wrestleview.com/viewnews.php?id=1315179666|url-status=dead}}</ref> State police revealed that Angle's initial breath test at the scene, where he was stopped by police, showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.091 percent, which was above the legal limit of 0.08 percent.<ref>{{cite web|last=Mayhew|first=Kaitlin|title=Wrestler's initial BAC result was 0.091 percent|url=http://www.nvdaily.com/news/2011/09/wrestlers-initial-bac-result-was-0091-percent.php|work=The Northern Virginia Daily|access-date=September 7, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016061112/http://www.nvdaily.com/news/2011/09/wrestlers-initial-bac-result-was-0091-percent.php|archive-date=October 16, 2011}}</ref> The test was later ruled not admissible; and when a second test, taken at the police station, showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.06, the DUI charge was dropped. Angle was still charged with reckless driving.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/96-wwe/22439-wed-update-angle-charges-taken-down-white-talks-legend-future-msg-tickets-foley-flair-a-edge|title=Wed., update: Angle charges taken down, White talks legend future, MSG tickets Foley, Flair & Edge|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|work=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|date=October 5, 2011|access-date=October 6, 2011}}</ref> On November 8, 2011, Angle entered a plea of [[Nolo contendere|no contest]] and was fined $1,500.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_54989.shtml|title=TNA News: Judge rules in Kurt Angle reckless driving case – Angle fined, avoids jail time, more details on arrest revealed|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=November 9, 2011|access-date=November 9, 2011}}</ref>

On August 2, 2013, Angle was arrested by [[Texas Highway Patrol]] officers and charged with driving while intoxicated in [[Decatur, Texas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_72442.shtml|title=TNA News: Breaking – Kurt Angle arrested on DWI after Impact |last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=August 2, 2013|access-date=August 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2013/08/02/kurt-angle-arrested-dui/|title=KURT ANGLE POPPED FOR DWI AGAIN CHECKING INTO REHAB|date=August 2, 2013|access-date=August 16, 2021}}</ref> Later that day, Angle announced he was immediately entering a [[Drug rehabilitation|drug rehabilitation center]].<ref name="RehabPWT">{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/TNA_News_1/article_72448.shtml|title=TNA News: Angle says he is entering rehab, issues statement on "pivotal time" in his life, Dixie Carter comments, plus more details on what led to DWI arrest|last=Caldwell|first=James|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=August 2, 2013|access-date=August 3, 2013}}</ref>

== Championships and accomplishments ==

=== Folkstyle/freestyle wrestling ===
[[File:KurtAngleSs05.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Angle is a 1996 [[Wrestling at the 1996 Summer Olympics - Men's freestyle 100 kg|Olympic Gold Medal]] winner in freestyle wrestling]]
* '''Canadian Cup Championship'''
** Winner (1990)
* '''Collegiate/High School'''
** Clarion University Freshman of the Year (1988)
** Pennsylvania State Wrestling Champion (1987)
* '''[[International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles]]'''
** FILA Junior World Freestyle Champion (1988)
** [[1995 World Wrestling Championships|FILA World Championships]] [[gold medal]] in [[freestyle wrestling]] (100&nbsp;kg) (1995)
* '''[[International Sports Hall of Fame]]'''
** Class of 2016<ref name="ISHOF"/>
* '''National Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame'''
** [[National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum|National Wrestling Hall of Fame]] Distinguished Member (Class of 2001)
* '''[[National Collegiate Athletic Association]]'''
** NCAA [[NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships|Division I]] All-American (1990–1992)
** NCAA Division I Heavyweight Champion (1990, 1992)
* '''[[Olympic Games]]'''
** [[1996 Summer Olympics|Summer Olympics]] gold medal in freestyle wrestling (heavyweight) (1996)
* '''[[USA Wrestling]]'''
** USA Junior Freestyle Champion (1987)
** USA Senior Freestyle Champion (1995, 1996)
** USA Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 2001)

=== Professional wrestling ===
[[File:Kurt Angle TNA.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Angle is a record six-time [[TNA World Heavyweight Champion]] (right hand), and former [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship (IGF)|IWGP Heavyweight Champion]] (as recognized by [[Inoki Genome Federation|IGF]])]]

* '''''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'''''
** Best Worker of the Decade (2010)<ref>{{cite web|last=Eck|first=Kevin|title=Best of the Decade awards|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-01-best_of_the_decade_awards-story.html|work=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=January 11, 2010|access-date=December 20, 2020|archive-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204084558/https://www.baltimoresun.com/bs-mtblog-2010-01-best_of_the_decade_awards-story.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''[[Cauliflower Alley Club]]'''
** Future Legend Award ([[Cauliflower Alley Club#2000|2000]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/reunion-news/past-honorees/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411213015/http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org/reunion-news/past-honorees/|title=Past Honorees|archive-date=April 11, 2009|access-date=January 16, 2019}}</ref>
**Lou Thesz/Art Abrams Award (2024)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/184209/kurt-angle-to-receive-lou-theszart-abrams-award-from-cauliflower-alley-club.html?p=1|title=Kurt Angle to Receive Lou Thesz/Art Abrams Award From Cauliflower Alley Club |website=www.pwinsider.com}}</ref>
* '''[[Inoki Genome Federation]]'''
** [[IWGP Heavyweight Championship (IGF)|IWGP Heavyweight Championship]] ([[IWGP Heavyweight Championship (IGF)#Title history|1 time]])<ref name="Inoki"/>
* '''[[George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
** Class of 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wcfcourier.com/sports/blogs/half_nelson_half_fiction/kurt-angle-and-don-curtis-to-enter-hall-of-fame/article_1e30d14a-f4e6-11e0-87a1-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Kurt Angle and Don Curtis to enter Hall of Fame|date=October 12, 2011 |publisher=WCFCourier|access-date=October 17, 2011}}</ref>
** Special honoree (2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/misc-news/54551-kurt-angle-reception-set-for-2015-national-pro-wrestling-hof|title=Kurt Angle reception set for 2015 National Pro Wrestling HOF|publisher=Wrestleview|access-date=May 23, 2015|date=May 22, 2015}}</ref>
*'''[[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**Class of 2024<ref>{{cite web |title=Who Will Be Inducted into the IPWHF in October 2024? |url=https://www.prowrestlinghall.net/post/ipwhf-inductions-set-for-october-2024 |website=[[International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame|IPWHF]] |access-date=20 February 2025 |location=[[Albany, New York|Albany, NY]] |date=14 July 2024}}</ref>
*'''[[Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame]]'''
**Class of 2021<ref>{{cite web |title=Next Official Memphis Wrestling Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony |url=https://memphis-wrestling.jimdosite.com/hall-of-fame/ |website=memphis-wrestling.jimdosite.com |publisher=Official Memphis Wrestling |access-date=September 22, 2021}}</ref>
* '''[[Power Pro Wrestling]]'''
** [[Power Pro Wrestling#Power Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Championship|PPW Heavyweight Championship]] (1 time)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tn/memphis/ppw/ppw-h.html|title=Power Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Title|publisher=Wrestling Titles|access-date=June 1, 2008}}</ref>
* '''''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''''
** [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Comeback of the Year|Comeback of the Year]] (2003)<ref name="PWI Awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|title=PWI Awards|work=[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]|publisher=[[Kappa Publishing Group]]|access-date=December 17, 2016|archive-date=January 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121172943/http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/PWIawards.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
** [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (2000) {{small|vs. [[Triple H]]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Feud of the Year (2003) {{small|vs. [[Brock Lesnar]]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Feud of the Year (2007) {{small|vs. [[Samoa Joe]]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Inspirational Wrestler of the Year|Inspirational Wrestler of the Year]] (2001)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (2003) {{small|vs. Brock Lesnar in an [[Iron Man match]] on ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' on September 16}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Match of the Year (2005) {{small|vs. [[Shawn Michaels]] at [[WrestleMania 21]]}}<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Most Hated Wrestler of the Year|Most Hated Wrestler of the Year]] (2000)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Most Popular Wrestler of the Year|Most Popular Wrestler of the Year]] (2003)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Rookie of the Year|Rookie of the Year]] (2000)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** [[List of Pro Wrestling Illustrated awards#Wrestler of the Year|Wrestler of the Year]] (2003)<ref name="PWI Awards"/>
** Ranked No. 1 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''[[PWI 500]]'' in 2001<ref>{{cite web|url=http://profightdb.com/pwi-500/2001.html|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) 500 for 2001|publisher=Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=December 17, 2016}}</ref>
* '''''SoCal Uncensored'''''
** Match of the Year (2000) {{small|vs. [[Christopher Daniels]] on September 13, 2000 ([[Ultimate Pro Wrestling]])}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://socaluncensored.com/history/year-end-awards/southern-california-match-of-the-year/|title=Southern California Match of the Year|work=SoCal Uncensored}}</ref>
*'''[[Sports Illustrated]]'''
**Ranked No. 12 of the 20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time <ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Pullar III |first1=Sid |title=20 Greatest WWE Wrestlers Of All Time |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/features/10-greatest-wwe-wrestlers-of-all-time |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=September 30, 2024 |access-date=26 November 2024}}</ref>
* '''[[Total Nonstop Action Wrestling]]'''
** [[TNA World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of Impact World Champions|6 times, inaugural]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tna/tna-h.html|title=TNA World Heavyweight Title history|website=wrestling-titles.com}}</ref>
** [[TNA X Division Championship]] ([[List of TNA X Division Champions|1 time]])<ref name="TNAtitles">{{cite web|url=http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/218/84/|access-date=June 24, 2008|title=Total Nonstop Action Wrestling official title history|publisher=TNA Wrestling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621092719/http://www.tnawrestling.com/content/view/218/84/|archive-date=June 21, 2008}}</ref>
** [[TNA World Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of TNA World Tag Team Champions|2 times]]) – with [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] (1){{Efn|Angle originally won both tag team championship belts from solo championship holder Samoa Joe. Sting won a four-way match to win the other share of the title, and joined Angle in his reign midway through.}} and [[A.J. Styles]] (1)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/tna/tna-t.html|title=TNA World Tag Team Title|publisher=Wrestling Titles|access-date=January 15, 2008}}</ref>
** [[King of the Mountain match|King of the Mountain]] ([[Slammiversary (2007)|2007]], [[Slammiversary (2009)|2009]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/misc/tna/slam.html#2007|title=TNA Slammiversary results|publisher= ProWrestlingHistory.com|access-date=September 14, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/misc/tna/slam.html#2009|title= Slammiversary 2009|access-date=August 6, 2009|publisher=Pro Wrestling History}}</ref>
** [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)#List of TNA Triple Crown Champions|Second TNA Triple Crown Champion]]<ref name="AngleBrand">{{cite web|url=http://kurtanglebrand.com/kurt-angle-wrestler/|title=Kurt Angle-Wrestler|website=Kurt Angle Official Site|access-date=June 13, 2019}}</ref>
** [[TNA Hall of Fame]] (2013)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Impact HOF – Impact Wrestling.com |url=http://impactwrestling.com/roster/hall-of-fame |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118072802/http://impactwrestling.com/roster/hall-of-fame/ |archive-date=January 18, 2018 |access-date=December 21, 2019}}</ref>
** [[Impact Year End Awards|TNA Year End Awards]] (5 times)
*** Feud of the year ([[Impact Year End Awards#2006 TNA Year End Awards|2006]], [[Impact Year End Awards#2007 TNA Year End Awards|2007]]) {{small|vs. [[Samoa Joe]]}}
*** Match of the Year (2007) {{small|vs [[Sting (wrestler)|Sting]] at [[Bound for Glory (2007)|Bound for Glory]]}}
*** Memorable Moment of the Year (2006) {{small|Debut at [[No Surrender (2006)|No Surrender]]}}
*** Who to Watch in 2007 (2006)
* '''''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''''
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Gimmick|Best Gimmick]] (2000)<ref name="won">{{cite journal|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=January 26, 2011|title=Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue|periodical=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|location=Campbell, CA|pages=1–40|issn=1083-9593}}</ref>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best on Interviews|Best on Interviews]] (2002)<ref name="won"/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Best Technical Wrestler|Best Technical Wrestler]] (2002)<ref name="won"/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] (2003) {{small|vs. Brock Lesnar}}<ref name="won"/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Match of the Year|Match of the Year]] (2002) {{small|with Chris Benoit vs. [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] and [[Rey Mysterio]] at [[No Mercy (2002)|No Mercy]] on October 20}}<ref name="won"/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Improved|Most Improved]] (2000)<ref name="won"/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Most Outstanding Wrestler|Most Outstanding Wrestler]] (2001–2003)<ref name="won"/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Readers' Favorite Wrestler|Readers' Favorite Wrestler]] (2002–2003)<ref name="won"/>
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Lou Thesz/Ric Flair Award (Wrestler of the Year)|Wrestler of the Year]] (2002)<ref name="won"/>
** Wrestler of the Decade (2000–2009)<ref name=WONWofD>{{cite web|url=http://superluchas.com/segun-el-wrestling-observer-quienes-son-los-mejores-los-mejores-de-la-decada/ |title=Según el Wrestling Observer... ¿Quiénes son los mejores los mejores de la década? |last=Beltrán |first=William |date=August 3, 2010 |access-date=August 5, 2010 |work=[[Súper Luchas]] Magazine |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100806184558/http://superluchas.com/2010/08/03/segun-el-wrestling-observer%E2%80%A6-%C2%BFquienes-son-los-mejores-los-mejores-de-la-decada/ |archive-date=August 6, 2010 }}</ref>
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame]] ([[Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame#Inductees|Class of 2004]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/hallofame.html|title=Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame|website=Pwi-online.com|access-date=January 24, 2019|archive-date=November 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151112104543/http://www.pwi-online.com/pages/hallofame.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* '''[[WWE|WWE/World Wrestling Entertainment/Federation]]'''
** [[WWE Championship|WWF/E Championship]] ([[List of WWE Champions|4 times]])<ref name="WWEbelt">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/|title=WWE World Heavyweight Championship History|publisher=WWE|access-date=August 28, 2007}}</ref>
** [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW Championship]] ([[List of WCW World Heavyweight Champions|1 time]]){{Efn|name=InvasionNote|Won during the [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|Invasion]] storyline.}}<ref name="WCW">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/|title=WCW World Championship History|publisher=WWE|access-date=August 28, 2007}}</ref>
** [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of World Heavyweight Champions (WWE, 2002–2013)|1 time]])<ref name="WHC">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/|title=World Heavyweight Championship History|publisher=WWE|access-date=August 28, 2007}}</ref>
** [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|WWF Intercontinental Championship]] ([[List of WWE Intercontinental Champions|1 time]])<ref name="IC">{{cite news|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/|title=Intercontinental Championship History|newspaper=WWE|access-date=August 28, 2007}}</ref>
** [[WWE European Championship|WWF European Championship]] ([[List of WWE European Champions|1 time]])<ref name="Euro">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/euro/|title=European Championshipweb|publisher=WWE|access-date=August 28, 2007}}</ref>
** [[WWE Hardcore Championship|WWF Hardcore Championship]] ([[List of WWE Hardcore Champions|1 time]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/hard/|title=History of the Hardcore Championship|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|access-date=July 25, 2009}}</ref>
** [[WWE United States Championship|WCW United States Championship]] ([[List of WWE United States Champions|1 time]]){{Efn|name=InvasionNote}}<ref name="US">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/unitedstates/|title=US Title History|publisher=WWE|access-date=August 28, 2007}}</ref>
** [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|WWE Tag Team Championship]] ([[List of World Tag Team Champions (WWE)|1 time, inaugural]]) – with [[Chris Benoit]]<ref name="Tag">{{cite news|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/ |title=WWE Tag Team Championship History|newspaper=WWE|access-date=August 28, 2007}}</ref>
** [[King of the Ring tournament|King of the Ring]] ([[King of the Ring (2000)|2000]])<ref name="pwi106"/>
** [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)#List of WWE Men's Triple Crown winners|10th]] [[Triple Crown (professional wrestling)|Triple Crown Champion]]<ref name="AngleBrand"/>
** [[Grand Slam (professional wrestling)#WWE Grand Slam Champions|Fifth]] [[Grand Slam (professional wrestling)|Grand Slam Champion]]<ref name="AngleBrand"/>
** [[List of WWE tournaments#WWE Tag Team Championship Tournament|WWE Tag Team Championship Tournament (2002)]] – with Chris Benoit<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prowrestlinghistory.com/supercards/usa/wwf/tagtitle.html#tag2002|title=WWE Tag Team Title Tournaments|work=Pro Wrestling History|access-date=January 16, 2019}}</ref>
** [[WWE Hall of Fame]] ([[WWE Hall of Fame (2017)|Class of 2017]])<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2017/04/01/kurt-angle-returns-wwe-hall-of-fame-induction/99902060/|title=Kurt Angle returns to WWE for Hall of Fame induction|website=[[USA Today]]|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>

== World Championships/Olympic Games matches ==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=March 2023}}
{{s-start}}
|-
!Res.
!Record
!Opponent
!Score
!Date
!Event
!Location
|-
! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| [[Wrestling at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Olympic Games]] {{gold1}} at −100kg}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|style="text-align:center;"|9–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|IRI}} [[Abbas Jadidi]]
|style="font-size:88%"|1–1
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|July 31, 1996
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|[[Wrestling at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Olympic Games]]
|style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=5|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|style="text-align:center;"|8–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|KGZ}} [[Konstantin Aleksandrov (wrestler)|Konstantin Aleksandrov]]
|style="font-size:88%"|4–1
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|style="text-align:center;"|7–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Sagid Murtazaliev]]
|style="font-size:88%"|4–3
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|style="text-align:center;"|6–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|CUB}} Wilfredo Morales
|style="font-size:88%"|2–0
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=2|July 30, 1996
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|style="text-align:center;"|5–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|MGL}} [[Dolgorsürengiin Sumyaabazar]]
|style="font-size:88%"|4–0
|-
! style=background:white colspan=7 |{{small| [[1995 World Wrestling Championships|1995 World Championship]] {{gold1}} at −100kg}}
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|style="text-align:center;"|4–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|GER}} [[Arawat Sabejew]]
|style="font-size:88%"|Referee Decision
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|August 13, 1995
|style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|[[1995 World Wrestling Championships|1995 World Championships]]
|style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=4|{{flagicon|USA}} [[Atlanta, Georgia]]
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|style="text-align:center;"|3–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|CAN}} [[Oleg Ladik]]
|style="font-size:88%"|Referee Decision
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|style="text-align:center;"|2–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|HUN}} Josef Glazer
|style="font-size:88%"|3–0
|-
|{{yes2}}Win
|style="text-align:center;"|1–0
|align=left|{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Kenan Şimşek]]
|style="font-size:88%"|2–0
{{end}}

== ''Luchas de Apuestas'' record ==
{{see also|Lucha libre#Luchas de Apuestas|l1=Luchas de Apuestas}}
{|class="wikitable sortable" width=100% style="text-align: center"
!width=20% scope="col"|Winner (wager)
!width=20% scope="col"|Loser (wager)
!width=20% scope="col"|Location
!width=20% scope="col"|Event
!width=15% scope="col"|Date
!class="unsortable" width=5% scope="col"|Notes
|-
|[[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] (hair) || Kurt Angle (hair) || Nashville, Tennessee || [[Judgment Day (2002)|Judgment Day]] || {{dts|2002|05|19}} || <ref name="Adam Copeland on Edge">{{cite book|last=Copeland|first=Adam|title=Adam Copeland on Edge|publisher=[[WWE Books]]|date=November 2004|page=204|isbn=978-0-7434-8347-6}}</ref>
|}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Sources ==
* {{cite news|title=2007 Wrestling Almanac & Book of Facts|work=Wrestling's Historical Cards|publisher=Kappa Publishing|year=2007}}
* {{cite news|title=Pro Wrestling Illustrated, May 2006|work=Arena Reports|publisher=Kappa Publishing|date=May 2006}}
* {{cite book|author=Angle, Kurt|title=It's True! It's True!|publisher=HarperEntertainment|year=2002|isbn=978-0-06-109893-2}}
* {{cite book|author=Loverro, Thom|title=The Rise & Fall of ECW: Extreme Championship Wrestling|publisher=WWE Books|year=2006|isbn=978-1-4165-1058-1|url=https://archive.org/details/risefallofecw00thom}}

== External links ==
{{Commons}}
* [http://nwhof.org/blog/dg-inductees/kurt-angle-2/ Kurt Angle at The National Wrestling Hall of Fame website]
* {{WWE superstar}}
* {{Professional wrestling profiles}}
* {{IWD}}
* {{Olympics.com}}
* {{Olympedia}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120120183404/http://www.impactwrestling.com/roster/Wrestler-Roster/item/1578-kurt-angle TNA Impact Wrestling Profile]

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