Kurt's best angle

By JIM VARSALLONE

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 2, 2001

It didn't take long for the Rock and Goldberg to make their marks in pro wrestling, but not even those two superstars can match the speedy accomplishments of U.S. Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle.

It takes most people three, five, 10 years even to get a shot at the big time, let alone make it. Many don't even land in a major federation. They compete on the indies, hopeful of being in the right place at the right time.

Well, within a year, Angle became a top heel in the World Wrestling Federation. He won the Intercontinental belt and King of the Ring en route to capturing the top prize, the WWF title.

"I'm very surprised how quick everything happened. I thought it would take me a good three to four years to get to that point."

Commercial pitchman, spokesman, author, Angle is receiving more mainstream fame for his success in pro wrestling than for winning Olympic gold.

"I wasn't a pro wrestling fan," Angle said. "I never watched pro wrestling until the end of 1998, the beginning of 1999. I was always told by my (amateur wrestling) peers not to watch it. I was told it was basically a slander of amateur wrestling. A lot of amateur wrestlers and fans who don't watch it got the misconception pro wrestling/sports entertainment was the pro style of amateur wrestling. That's not really the case."

After winning gold in the 1996 Olympics, Angle declined a pretty good contract offer from Vince and Linda McMahon.

"I was basically listening to my peers, the coaches and the world of amateur wrestling," Angle said. "Because I didn't watch (pro wrestling), I didn't really understand it. When I started to watch it, I watched three or four straight Raws. Before I knew it, I was hooked. I enjoyed the story lines. I enjoyed the athleticism. I thought some of these guys were world class athletes. I decided to give it a try."

Angle attended several WWF training camps in 1998.

"Before I knew it, I was on TV," Angle said. "I think Vince and the company had some plans for me as long as I could live up to their standards.

"Every single week I improved dramatically. With my efforts and their efforts to continue to utilize me, I was able to have a lot more success quickly. I owe that not just to myself but to a lot of people in the company.

"In pro wrestling today, sports entertainment, especially the WWF, the wrestlers aren't so selfish to the point where they only think about themselves. They think more about the company. I've made some really good relationships with the guys, and they respect me for what I've done."

Angle started his pro wrestling career competing in Memphis, wrestling home of Jerry "the King" Lawler.

"I went to Memphis (a feeder organization for the WWF) to learn to wrestle professionally and get my timing down in the ring," Angle said. "More importantly, I went to Memphis to work on my microphone skills. The only problem was they never utilized me for that. So, I really didn't know coming into the WWF and Survivor Series how effective I would be on the microphone.

"Things worked very, very well, and every single week I improved on those aspects of sports entertainment. Before I knew it, I was cutting pretty good promos. In some ways, it came naturally, but they also worked me very slowly. Little by little they added to my promos and my character to where I am today. I think it's a great character. It's very different, and I enjoy playing it."

Angle's brother Eric is under a developmental contract with the WWF. He is currently in Louisville with Ohio Valley Wrestling under Jim Cornette.

"My brother Eric is a very good athlete," Angle said. "He has been out of amateur wrestling a good bit of time. I see him making slower progress than I did, but I also see him making that progress. It might take a little bit longer, but I think he will be a great asset to the World Wrestling Federation in due time. He doesn't pick up quite as quickly as me, but from what I've been told, he has passed a few guys as far as technique in the ring. The things he is going to have to work on more than anything are playing a certain character and the microphone skills, and it's going to take some time."

Tickets are on sale for the WWF Come Get Some house shows in Fort Myers and Tallahassee.

The WWF visits the Tallahassee Leon County Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. on April 11. Tickets cost $35, $30, $25 and $18.

The WWF travels south to the TECO Arena in Fort Myers at 7:30 p.m. on April 12. Tickets are $20, $25 and $35.

Check out Ticketmaster.com or call Ticketmaster, (727) 898-2100 or (813) 287-8844.

-- Pro wrestling columnist Jim Varsallone can be reached at wrestling@tampabay.com.

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