Hey, this is Kurt Angle and welcome to the Kurt Angle show. On the show today we'll be discussing one of my most memorable feuds in the WWE. But first, let me introduce to you my co host, Paul bromwell. How're you doing today, Paul?
Kurt, I'm doing fantastic. I'm excited to be here and talk about our fun build up to a fun pay per view. It's a backlash 2000 to 20 years ago, we're coming off one of your career highlights and I say that tongue in cheek your Wrestlemania match with Cain. I can't promise you that. We're not going to talk about that. Again. We have too much fun poking at that one. But
I'll give you permission to talk about Alright, there
we go. But there's so much going on at the time. And I got to ask, Are you being kept in the loop as far as where you're going after that match with Kane at WrestleMania?
Well, I found out a couple weeks later that I would be drafted to SmackDown. And I was told that it would be second round, I'd be behind the rock who would be picked in the first round. And that's funny because I did a couple of pre tapes that were pretty funny. Complaining why an Olympic gold medalist with a broken frickin neck will get picked in the second round and not the first round.
Oh, buddy, don't you worry. We're gonna have some fun with some of those clips this week, including Well, I'm gonna save it because we see a little bit more current angle than we ever asked for expect it to. But oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. So it's the night after WrestleMania raw, it's from Montreal, you're teaming with Booker T in a losing effort to edging cane. And this is always it feels like right after mania, the creative or the focus is on the next story. And it hasn't really started yet. Let alone they got to have the draft. They got to reshape their rosters. Are you campaigning at this point to hey, I'd like to be on raw I like to be on SmackDown or is it typical? Kurt, wherever you need me. I'll do
well, I think everyone at that particular time wanted to be on raw because it was a flagship show. But I thought Smackdown was doing pretty well. They you know, it was a relatively new show, but it was doing pretty well. So to me, it didn't matter where I went raw or Smackdown as long as I was on one of them.
Wherever you were gonna go, Kurt, you were going to entertain the fans?
Well, I certainly was at least I was going to try that. There you go. Well, edge would
pin you in this match. And it's important to bring that up because it seems like you're about to transition into a feud with him. And considering Team E CK. That was a few years before this. Are you welcoming the ability to get no feud and Russell with edge?
Oh, yeah, Edge was so talented. You know, he had a great look. And ring skills were incredible. He had great chops, got incredible charisma. And I knew right away when I first started, that edge was gonna be a huge man event singles competitor. It just it was written all over his face. You knew he was gonna be big star.
He absolutely was and is and continues to do it with for the WWE. It's amazing to see what his career comeback hat has been. So we're on SmackDown, you end up costing edge his match against Booker T. You have to know at this point, you're going to SmackDown right?
Well, yeah, I mean, common sense tells you that you start a program on SmackDown. They're going to continue the program on SmackDown. So I think that it was very apparent that I was going to be on SmackDown working a program with edge.
Well, there's some other big news around this time, Kurt. And it's big news for you and for your bank account. Powell. Because it's reported in the observer that you agreed to a five year deal with the WWF. What was that negotiation like?
Well, I still had three years left on my former contract, but it was a shitty deal. It's getting $75,000 A year guaranteed. Now don't get me wrong. my rookie year I made a lot more than that, because I made embedded just about every show. You know, as far as once I you know, got my groove. And a few months I was making eventing all Yeah. So I made an amazing amount of money. my rookie year, I was really impressed and very happy with that money. And I went to Jr. and I said, I need to get a new deal. Because this this other deal was really bad. He said, Okay, what do you want? And I said, Well, I made this much last year. I want to guarantee this year because I'm going to make it again. Maybe more. He said I can't give you that. That's what rockin Austin. Yeah. I said I want right Rock and Austin are getting, you know, hell yeah. Please talk to Vince. Yeah, he said I'll go talk to Vince and he talked to Vince Vince said yes right away and then they gave me the deal. So I got the same guarantee as the rockin Austin and Undertaker.
Look at you wheeling
and dealing. Here Yeah, I'm bragging about it right now should
body rock Austin. Hey, but you know what you prove that you belonged man. You were Main Event and with all those guys and you could hang they knew what they had with you when it came to promos. You were the full package. And you proved yourself that rookie year so yeah, hey, let's start talking and look at you. You have no problem going to the table going to Jr. and saying, buddy, it's time to take care of your Olympic heroes
to take care of Kurt Angle. Yeah,
there you go. Well, let's talk about one of those guys you just mentioned and that Stone Cold Steve Austin, who by the way did you get? I'm sure he did. You saw him at WrestleMania. Right? Yeah,
yeah, gave him a hug. said good luck to him. I didn't see him afterward. I'm sure he was a little pissed off about events. And the way he took the stunner. Yeah, it was crazy because Austin was chugging these beers. And you could see his lips say motherfucker. You actually said that motherfucker.
I was sitting there watching it. And I was telling some friends I was here with some buddies wash it and I thought this dude, me and Kurt Angle just watching a match where Vince had to take the pedigree from Triple H member in the ring during the wedding ceremony, and he flipped flip flopped all over the ring for that. Oh, yeah, some things don't change brother. Thing is
His timing was just bad. You know, he didn't know when the jump. He didn't know where you're gonna go down, up and down. He just thought you're gonna go up and down. And with Austin, he didn't expect the boot to the god, he thought he's just gonna stop them. So when Steve booted them, it's Vince went to
his knees. That was the problem. Soon as he went to the knees get through the whole thing.
Steve had to pick them back up. And then he tried to get a bench backed up into the ropes bounce off the ropes. It was like a disaster.
I bet the best part was to get it over with Austin couldn't stop laughing That was the best part.
Because he knew from the beginning it was gonna happen like that. It was
it was like trying to give a stoner to a piece of paper. So Steve Austin walks out of the World Wrestling Federation around this time due to his unhappiness with creative. So what do you remember about this time period with Steve and his issues at the time?
Well, what I remember was they wanted to do this program with Steve and Brock Lesnar, Stone Cold versus Brock Lesnar. But it wasn't much of a program, it was just a match. And they want to Brock to go over. And you're talking about the name and face of the company, stone cold, Steve Austin, you know, he wants things to make sense. He wants to have great programs and build ups to matches. He wasn't just going to go out there and do a job. Now don't get me wrong. Stone Cold has done jobs for everybody. He doesn't have a problem doing that. It's just the way they went about it.
Did you talk to Steve at all, Kurt? When after he leaves during
nobody talks to stone cold? The only person he can find it in I believe was Deborah. And that's it.
Well, you've often talked about Steve and he was someone that you looked up to you. We've talked about that over and over again on this show, especially when we talked about the Hall of Fame, you wanted him to induct you was this, I guess sort of a revelation that you just you know, you can just walk out of the WWF if you weren't happy with creative like what's, what's the message here?
I don't know, to be honest with you. What I have done it No, but I don't blame stone cold. I mean, he was the name and face of the company for a long time. He's always done business properly. He just felt like this was the wrong thing to do. And he would have done if they would have had a good build up and a good program to it. But they didn't have anything behind it.
Well, it all got resolved. He came back. We just saw him back again. And what do you think? Do you think? Do you think Austin comes back again? Or do you think he's truly done now after this past Wrestlemania?
I don't know. You know, what was knowing stone cold, he's probably going to come back again. He's gonna want to do a stunner to end the show properly.
A proper stonor Don't let that be your louder than he's gonna go out
like that. Don't get me wrong. It was an awesome moment. Regardless of what happened with Vince and how he took the stunner. It was an incredible moment. Every my wife went out to the arena, and it was effing crazy. Everybody was off their seats going nuts, screaming at the top of their lungs. I never heard a pop like this. I was backstage. My wife told me it was 10 times bigger out there.
But you got to give it up for Pat McAfee. I mean, he did a good job and he took awesome stunner bumps. Oh, yeah.
You know what, Pat McAfee was the surprise performance of WrestleMania. I would have never expected him to do what he did. That was pretty amazing. Especially for a non wrestler.
Yeah, he did fantastic work. We sat there and we were just like this guy to be live in front of 80,000 people. You don't get to make a mistake. You don't get to make a mistake. And he's jumping into the top rope and doing some things and man he helped pull it off a
good start to the top rope. Yes. Wow. Yeah. He he has some good leaps. He's a great athlete. Definitely.
All right. Well, let's get back to the story here because here we go. You're upset that Vince took the rock first over you. And here we go. Our first clip of the week. Let's get it going. Kurt and Vince
Yeah
No, I can't believe it.
I can't believe it. I mean, I can't believe you hurt my feelings. What? You didn't pick me first? I cannot believe you didn't pick me first. I'm gonna Olympic gold medalist. And the best you have
heard I know who the hell you are.
I mean, look, I mean, I can't believe that that Ric Flair chose the undertaker. That's what I'm saying. As far as you're concerned. Hey, look, I threw flair. swerve out there. Okay, and he just threw one back at me.
I'm gonna make it right there. Alright.
What is this crap? You told me that this wouldn't happen. Did you? Or did you not tell me flair would not pick me?
I told you I don't have any idea what's in his head. I don't have a clue. No, I want to know what you're gonna do about it. Quite frankly, I
don't know what I'm gonna do. I just noticed it in some way. And some way I'm gonna make this right. And you got my word on it. That's your word. There's got to be one time that you keep your word. If you know what I mean
look on your face. Kurt. Is that the same shirt you were wearing at Russell con?
Yes, it was. I thought I recognized that Tapout shirt. Yeah,
yeah, that's I love that shirt. So here it is Undertaker's. Fantastic. You're great. But you're not done, because later on, you're going back to Vince's office to make sure he has the full list of Kurt angle's out your accolades and we're going to share that let's listen to that one.
national amateur wrestling champion 1995 world champion 1996 Olympic gold medalist two time WWF Champion.
I know where you're going with this. Okay, look, let me collect my thoughts I've got to figure out Ric Flair his next move if flair. Flair chose the undertaker then why wouldn't he choose my NWO next
Mr. McMahon forget about the NWO. Ric Flair is going to choose me next I'm going to Olympic gold medalist. I mean, think about this Ric Flair picked the undertaker because of a personal vendetta.
That's a good point. He doesn't want poison from the NWO. I think you're right.
But what he does want is an Olympic gold medalist. And I don't want to work for Ric Flair. I want to work for you because I like you. We're good together. We're a team. We're chumps.
Ric Flair is not going to get what he wants. Because as of this moment on behalf of WWF Smackdown I Vince McMahon and my second pick I choose
credec. Yes. Oh,
you're already a salesman. We should have known the chicken snacks. It was in your future career. Just listen to sell on the Vince McMahon.
They're a great business man.
I love it. Well listen, it seems like you're already the top heel on SmackDown. Was that a roll? You're ready to jump right into?
Yes. But you know, to be honest with you, how's the top yo, my rookie year? You know, I won the world title. I defended the title for six months. So my role has always been one of the top heels since I started so I was ready for it.
And it's fun to because it's just not like a typical top heel. It's that annoying goody goody two shoe. Yeah, yeah. Oh, just the Kanye want to punch in the face. That kid in school. A lot of fans wanted to punch me in the face. Yeah, they did. I couldn't wait to tell you. You sucked. Well, you take on Rob Van Dam later on that night on roll after you suggest events. If you don't win the title, the Intercontinental title, you can take it to SmackDown and you end up with a bloody lip and get D cued and edge attacks afterwards. Did you find yourself with a lot of bloody lips after working with Rob?
Listen, Rob is a great worker. He really is. But he has a couple of moves that are a little stiff. It's the Karate Kid from the top rope where he does the Karate Kid pose. You know the sidekick Das, which you can't gauge you have to lay it in because if you mess it's gonna look like shit. So I do understand that he also has a spin kick that's pretty stiff. But other than that Rob was a great worker. He was incredible in the ring, a lot of fun to work with. But you are going to end up with a bloody lip if you work them.
Definitely. It explains all the dental work that you had to have a few weeks ago. too, so it's all coming together for me, Kurt. So I'm assuming at this point, it's your job. It's your role to elevate edge as the top babyface. And would I be accurate in that statement?
Yes. I mean, a lot of people, you know, there are people that their job was to make me as a heel, and they did a great job. It was my role now to make edge as a top babyface. But listen, he didn't need my help. He just needed a talented individual to do a program with and I happen to be that guy.
Well, there's a lot going on with some big stars to around this time rock he's in and out doing movies. You got Hogan, who's also drafted to SmackDown. And we know he's not going to get there every week there. So they're gonna put a heavy burden on you to be the workhorse and you have no other choice but to be ready for it. Right?
Yeah, but you know, when I was the workhorse since I started, you know, I rarely ever missed the show, even if I was injured. I've always been the workhorse. I continue to be the workhorse after this occurred up until 2006 When I left the company, so it wasn't new to me and I was going to continue to take on that role.
As we continue down this journey down memory lane the backlash 2002 The next night it smacked down and you have a team member named Vincent Kennedy McMahon and you're taking on Triple H and whoa, the Nature Boy Ric Flair. That's a freakin lineup right there. What's it like putting that kind of match together? I mean, it's you and Triple H. Then you and Triple H you had Ronda Rousey and Stephanie now you got Vince and Ric Flair. What's it like puts up with some of the wrestlers There you go what's it like putting this match together with the four of you?
Well with Rick and Triple H it was relatively easy. You know, they came up with some spots for Vince to do to make sure Vince was okay. And it was pretty easy to put the match together. You know, I just added my eye flavor to the match and we were off and running it worked out really well I thought
well Kurt, we have a little bit of that match and so let's take a look at it. Here we go
dance replied from behind your right hand and Kurt Angle. No no. And Ric Flair, said he Mr. McMahon, center of the ring well. Man, Triple H outside the ring. Wait a minute. Damn. Booth, the flare and the undertaker pulling McMahon over flair. The Undertaker was the Ric Flair flair drafted with the cover. Triple H glued to the undertaker
Mr. McMahon and the undertaker lands on personal number one
is this a battlefield for flares? On Monday night taker in flare, don't get along. History will be forever.
First of all, Vince McMahon is freaking shredded.
You know, it's crazy. He was in his late 50s at this particular and he looked better than anybody else. Any other wrestler in the company. He was jacked, he was ripped. This guy is a beast. He works out at two in the morning till four in the morning. He always sleeps from four to six. He works all day until the night and then he goes to the gym again. Same thing every single day. He never stops working, never stops working out.
And he's what 76 years old. We saw him with his muscle shirt at WrestleMania but 47 years older than them, but for 76 years old, he still looks in good shape.
He it's amazing. It's incredible that he's almost 80 years old. He looks as good as he does. It's crazy. It's ridiculous, but he continues to train his ass off. The guy will never quit till the day dies.
And you know what I heard Kurt. I don't know if you I'm sure you do, or we know this. But I thought share a secret with our audience. Apparently he's a big fan of chicken snacks. And that's part of his big time diet. Yes.
He actually was one of the first ones to try it. And he loved it. You know what he said to me? What's that? Don't send me anymore. I'm eating too much of a
well be like Vince McMahon and check. Try those chicken snacks today. There you go. Well, hey, this is the first time that you're sharing a wrestling ring with the Nature Boy, that has to be pretty cool.
Yeah, you know what I met Ric Flair. Before I started in the business. I met him at his gym in North Carolina. And I asked him I said, Rick, what company should I sign with? Because both companies were interested in WWE or it was WWF at the time, or WCW and Rick Amelie said Go advance man, he'll take care of you do not go to WCW because he knew that they would probably bury me in WCW and Vince McMahon would take care of me. And ever since I hadn't credible relationship with Rick We always kept in touch. And I always looked up to him because he had so much success in the business, you know, 16 time world champion, Rick, Rick, there's no other person like Ric Flair. He's really special.
Yeah, he said in an interview afterwards how impressed he is by everyone who's successful in the WWF. And he mentioned you by name. So he obviously thought a lot of you just to wrap up that match events pin flare to get the win. And the brand split is officially underway. How much of a transition for travel plans and loops and things like that need to get taken care of when something like this occurs? Current,
there wasn't much of a difference. I mean, you know, basically, as a unit, one unit, we would do house shows on the weekends. And then we would do Ron on Monday and Smackdown on Tuesday. Now the brand was split. We both did house shows on the weekends. And then we the the brand split for Rob would do RAW on Monday, and the SmackDown brand would do Tuesday. So it wasn't that much of an adjustment.
Talk about to the difference if there's any at all between wrestling on a live show versus a tape show. Did that make any difference to you at all? Did you have a preference?
Yeah, you know what I didn't like having the safety net, knowing that it was taped, and that I could do it over again, if I messed up, I was always into doing one takes and having that pressure of doing it. I've always performed better like that. When you know, in the back of your mind, you can do it again. You're most likely gonna screw up, you know, so yeah, not that I did that a lot. But, you know, there were certain times that I did miss a spot or something. And you know, the the office would tell me, Hey, do it over again. I just do it over again, to the fans in the arena. It didn't make any sense. But when you watch it on TV, you're watching a tape show. And you watch the best. The best moves that we're you know, we're saved for the show. Yeah.
Yeah, if there was any kayfabe left, it goes out the door at a tape show when when people are reading.
There was one time in Boston, take her and I had a double submission on each other. And he had a submission on me and I had him pin and I tapped out and he and he got pinned at the same time. The ref didn't count it right. So we had to wait until one in the morning and we didn't know fans were there. So I remember all the crew and put it in a corner it was at the Boston arena. Yeah in a corner and they shot an angle of the match of taker and I do in the finish with the employees of WB in the back. That's
right crazy. I remember you were to you were telling me that one before that's insane, man, but hey, you got to do what you got to do to make it look right and make it look real for the TV product. You're out. There you go. Well, hey, Steve Austin, he comes back he's on Monday Night Raw. You had to be happy to hear that he returned to the company right Kurt?
Yeah, the name and face of the company for ratings of course he wants don't go to the boss and come back.
Well, we're at the first Smackdown only show you come out saying you have a legitimate gripe and that you should be getting the title shot. It's me it's Kurt Angle. I deserve the title shot. Well then here comes Chris Jericho he comes out his Smackdown debut. He says he's the former undisputed champion and he deserves the title shot and who comes out next but the great one himself the rock he interrupts and Buddy we got a hot mic with the rock let's check it out
to actually think into the only two viable names, which is gonna throw their names in the hat the hat in the ring the face Triple H of backlash. Well let the rock remind you is there's one man if you want to talk about names that should face Triple H at backlash that The Rock remind you there's one man who's had more bigger matches with Triple H and the two of you put together there's one man who deserves it and they're a no one rock me no one who deserves a shot more.
Maybe there is someone else right maybe there's someone else because the rock knows that one day you have his title shot and one day when that day comes a rock will walk candy like he never did before and become WWE Champion
but until then, maybe the one man who deserves a title shot a little bit more than the rock
rock says we should give the title shot at backlash to a legend
was a liberal legend. We should get the title shot at backlash to an icon. icon. Perfect. Well thank you rock. It's about to bring me the rest I'm talking about you
know the one man who should get the backlash and face Triple H for the WWF Championship. The rock is talking about Hulk Hogan Hogan
a tremendous show of respect by the rocker to Hulk Hogan, Hulk Hogan, Hulk Hogan I think that is ridiculous.
I think it doesn't matter what you think doesn't matter what it doesn't matter what either one of you think it doesn't matter what you think it doesn't matter what you think it doesn't even matter what the rock thinks because you see what you're to fail to realize is this is all new. Although this is still Smackdown This is a new Smackdown and this is the rock show Smackdown the rock the people's champion the Rock says as of now Smackdown now and forever will be known as the people's show
and CNN says two people show and YouTube two bronies are standing in middle of the ring with a thumb up their candy and you're surrounded by the millions of Ross fans in 30 seconds they are gonna let you know who they want to go to backlash and face Triple H they are gonna let you know who they want to see when the WWE Championship at backlash and on the count of three they will either champ Jericho angle or Hogan to three
when he heard two angles,
it's gonna say it's your it's your wife and kids in the front row. They are champions don't count.
These people are ridiculous. This is Mr. McMahon's decision. This is not a rock business. But in ski
this is your show you keep that song going sumbitch this is not this show. This is Mr. McMahon show
you see Vince McMahon. If you're listening Vince McMahon. Vince McMahon if you're listening, the most electrifying fans have spoken on the most electrifying show on television and as you say Vince McMahon the money talks the book loves ah,
doesn't get any better than that.
is unbelievable, dude. Okay, so you gotta remember this is coming off WrestleMania 18 When it was icon versus icon, and the crowd completely shifted to Hulkamania. So you obviously you remember all of this. He the big push was back to Hogan again?
Yes, it was and Hogan deserved it. I mean, what he was able to do come back to WWE. Get the fans behind him the way he did at his age at that particular time. It's pretty incredible.
Yep, he's back to red and yellow Hollywood Hogan no more and it's almost like nostalgia on fire. They wanted that red and yellow all over again all these years, you know, into the future back in the WWE. And man, how cool is this?
Oh, it was really cool. I actually prefer real American Hulk Hogan may tell. Oh, yeah, you know, that's what transcended wrestling. Ya know, in the 80s, early 90s Hulk Hogan, even though I didn't watch it back then I knew he was yeah, I remember you saying stream. Yeah, no. So knowing that that was the character that he portrayed back then. It was pretty cool to be there now.
That Hogan was my childhood that was all where it was at Hulk Hogan is rockin wrestling the cartoon all of it it was all about Hulkamania so fun to see here. But listen backstage imagine this you're not happy my friend. And man oh man is something about to happen when edge runs into you. Let's take let's take a listen
what's the head just Mr. McMahon? Thank you.
Hulk Hogan with the number one contender shot
why don't we just elect hillbilly Jim for President while we're all this just great. What the heck do you watch? What are you here to rub it in? I have a match with you later tonight. Don't make me
madder than I am
so we're gonna settle down because I know we've matched tonight. Yeah, and then we've had our problems lately. Yes, we do. Well the more than thinking about it the more I feel bad what we used to be really tight I mean really good friends. Yeah, we weren't so wise. Well, I was going through my attic the other day look what I found I found these pictures check it out.
Hey, that's when I first won the WWF title yeah
that's good.
Yeah there's more check them out wow this is cool together oh this is so cool. Yeah, I tell you see us there later night okay oh yeah yeah awesome great oh wow Senator Kurt Angle opinion
Oh Mike we are playing the hits now my friend this is classic Kurt Angle has is awesome.
That was classic Branca words the WWE writer he was so talented. He wrote for edge and I quite a bit and we absolutely loved the material he would write for us
but dude your ability to sell it is just you couldn't have done any better the very action the facials so good man.
He made it easy for me
well later that night you take on edge I can't stop laughing hillbilly Jim from that just got that got to me there hillbilly Jim for President later that night you take on edge in a singles match is this the first time you remember the crowd singing the USAC when you come out
yes because edge I believe a couple of weeks prior did a promo where the fans were chanting angle when my music was playing okay and go and that's told the crowd hey stop chanting angle during his entrance song start chanting you suck and the fans started doing it and they never stopped after that that was it. That was it for me. Edge we owe it all the edge as we do as the reason why
okay so edge I'm okay with you suck who? The what? Whoever started the one that was awesome. The hole. Oh my god, we need to that's one thing that I wish we never would have never would have came out my goodness couldn't
get a pro out because Oh, because the fans are still doing it during Hall of Fame's had to learn how to not pause you had to keep talking like I'm doing right now and never stop.
What's annoying is they do it now during Hall of Fame speeches. I'm like, come on guys.
Do this. Let it go. Let it go
show some respect. Well, you get edge with a chair and a great short match and cut them open and you beat the crap out of him until edge cut you off and you power out. So you get edge with a chair shot. cut him open. I mean, it's a deep deep cut in his eyebrow. Does he come back and say hey, Kurt, what the hell was that all about?
No, fortunately, no, he didn't. But I think it's because we were such good friends. You know when your friends you don't have to apologize for stuffing. Now, don't get me wrong, a chair shot and bleeding from the chair shot. That probably deserved an apology. But he didn't ask for one because he knew he wasn't going to get one.
Well, there you go. I'm sure there was a receipt common the next week on SmackDown you on edge, you're highlighted in a 10 minute segment, which really sees the crowd get into the use of chance. How much easier is it to cut promos when the crowd is all fired up? Like they were that night in Tucson?
Oh, it was so much fun. You know, having a crowd involved in it. That's what you want. But the issue is, you know, after a while, it gets a little bit annoying, because, like I said before, when you stop a sentence, you suck, you know? And, you know, you have to keep your composure. And remember what you're going to say next, because they're always going to interrupt you. Are you
are you loving this working with that? It's because it does get to set you up for he and your backlash.
Oh, yeah. Yeah, ads was so talented. I was so excited. I knew that we would steal the show. I knew edge and I had the ability to steal the show at backlash. And we actually did.
And then also later that night, you're taking on Triple H again, and it seems like you two are working quite a bit with each other. So we have that, but this is all to really build the hunter versus Hogan a backlash. Did it feel like hey, we're gonna use Kirk to help you know, with this build at this point?
Yeah, I mean, you know, it was kind of odd. They use me for a lot of different things. Even if I had a program, they're always having me assist other wrestlers in their programs, whether it be Hulk Hogan and Triple H or the rock in Austin I've always been involved with their storylines to help get their storylines over and and so they wouldn't have to wrestle each other till the babe are you so I'd be the guy that they would beat or that would beat them before they would end up wrestling each other at the pay per view. So I was always involved in different storylines, but thankfully they always had a good one for me too.
Well Kurt, we're here It's you It's Triple H it's the smackdown match and we become familiar with more of Kurt Angle than we ever thought we would let's take a look at this clip.
aware he got his bell rung I don't even think he realizes that is below his buttocks
taking advantage of taking a half naked Kurt Angle over here Kurt Angle
table funny about that?
know Tim White runs over and yells a Triple H I don't think there's a rule against spanking your opponent
tapping him in the ass
it's an open fist. What are we doing Tim let them spank him
stairs and Kurt Angle was like what do you go out there and pull all the
Triple H it's troubling. Triangles a bit kicked off finally he pulls his trunks up and now we begin to go to work on Triple Eight's
so we fast forward the match here towards the end. You got enough of your bare ass
like that
you'll do anything to keep the title task with Triple H told the standard side of the head Kurt
I'm gonna mute this as we watch it you and you and Triple H are here in a fierce matchup. Okay, first of all, what did mom angle say when she saw her baby boy's buttocks all over the TV screen.
My mom has actually liked it. She likes crazy stuff like that. She thinks it's funny. My mom was awesome. She had a great sense of humor. So she actually got everything we didn't she understood
all right second question as heard on the wives of wrestling podcast from your wife Giovanni angle. Kurt likes to walk around this house in his underwear quite a bit. At least telling me these aren't the same underwear you
know, I wear I wear actually shorts. You know the box shorts, boxer briefs, not boxes, not heavy. not baggy. They're tight ones but
yeah, boxer. Gordon these thongs anymore?
I never wore a thong in my life. I am ready for this.
Bullshit, Kurt. You have an Olympic song on you probably read Boyden blow.
I did it for this one match because I knew I was gonna get my tights pulled down. So this was just a comedy spot. I swear I never wore a thong before. Sure. Okay, well, we're gonna have some after. I like the feel of it.
And for those stories, check out the wives of wrestling podcast. You too can hear about curtain a thong. Oh my god. I when I was putting the clips together for this show, I saw that I had forgotten all about it. I thought oh, I cannot wait for this part of the show. Well Hogan comes down and Jericho comes down because listen, the build is all about Hogan and Triple H so he's going to interrupt he gives you the big boot to the face. Let's listen to commentators here you checked the chemicals
that degree Triple H to you, Kurt. And of course to help build them. You're gonna take the three great. What a great Trooper you were
while you know why you have to do stuff. You have to do the honors for them, so I didn't mind doing it.
Let's cut. Let's cut this shit. They agreed you for a five year deal. You were like sure you can send me I got that guaranteed money. The deal I want. Oh, I mean, come on. That's great. I love it. So you you worked a thong and a match. Do you think in all seriousness, are you like, Okay, I'll do it. That sounds like fun. Are you like Man, you guys are really trying to embarrass me. Is this gonna hurt my character at this point? You're like, hell, this is gonna be fun.
Yeah, I knew it was gonna be fun. Okay, I was always game for anything. Whatever events through me I was up for it. And I always I always follow through.
Yeah, a lot of talk from Taz and Michael Cole about your buttocks as Taz says him hoping that you would tan it. So yeah, lots of good times there. That was fun, man. And I thank you for being a good sport there. And sure you don't wear thongs Jericho gets involved in the match. Hunter gets the win. Hogan comes out for the say we just saw it. But man, how cool is it to be in the ring for this? You just said I was a big fan of red and yellow Hogan. And here you're getting to be a part of a huge angle where the big push is all about red and yellow Hogan.
Yeah, it was a huge honor. You know, Hulk Hogan had such a huge impact on everybody in his career. And to be able to be in a ring with him, especially this late in his career was pretty awesome.
So I got to ask you, because there's been, I guess, word out there notion that Hogan was worried about working with you. I had never really heard this before until I saw this in the research. Do you know when that started that hook have any words for you at any point regarding
that? All right. This is what happened. We had a house show at Madison Square Garden. This is before all this this? Oh, I remember this. Yeah. And we had a house show and there was a six man tag three on three, and Hulk Hogan. During the match. I had to hit him in the back and knock them off the ring apron. So we could get a quick false finish in and make the fans believe it was going to be the finish. And when I went over to hit him, I hit him. And he held on to the rope and stayed on the ring apron. I'm like he's staring at the finish like this. He should be on the floor selling. So the next time I went over, I laid into him as hard as I could. And I knocked him off the apron. Then the second time. And after the match, he went to the back to grill until Vince McMahon vents. The Olympic boys a little stiff. Oh,
wow. So is this the same night that you told the story where he showed up late to the same now this was not a good night for Hogan? And Curtis said,
Hey, he showed up at 730. Yeah, today. He's like, this is what we're going to do. And I said, You know what? This, it was kind of disrespectful what I did to him. So I feel badly because I know Hulk now. And I know such a nice guy he is. But I said hey, no, don't get me wrong. I didn't watch Hulk Hogan growing up. So I didn't have as much respect for him as the other wrestlers did, because I didn't really know him. But when we were putting the match together, he said, This is what I'm going to do tonight. He just walked in and said that I said no. Yeah, we already have the match together. You pick your spots. This is where you're going to be open in the match where you can put your spots in. And basically I told him, you're gonna do what we do. We're gonna do we said you're gonna do so. I felt badly about it after I got to know him because it was kind of disrespectful. But, you know, at the end of the night, I did stuff with him. And he did say the best electric boy is really out stiff. Oh, and I thought that was pretty funny. Vince pulled me aside and told me that
Yeah, so you're off to a hot start with your relationship with Hogan. That night.
It wasn't a good start. Yeah, right. I made up for it. Eventually. It got better.
Well, the GO HOME Smackdown features a tag match between Hunter and Hogan against you and Jericho, as we often saw and still say where they put everybody in a tag match prior to that pay per view. But again, another you're in the ring with Hulk working a match together. And at this point, considering you guys have all worked together a lot in the last couple of weeks, did you notice there might be an issue with the brand extension as you're just wrestling the same guys over and over again?
Well, that was the problem. That's why we did the brand extension. We wanted to create more stars, more main inventors, because we didn't have a lot. So as one company, we had a certain people at the elite level. But when you do a brand expense tension, you got to make salary to make more athletes go to the main event level. So that's what we were trying to do. That's what we were trying to build at that particular time. And also having the brand split gives more opportunities and more jobs for wrestlers.
And to your point, this is early in the brand split. So yes, you guys are all working together consistently the first few weeks, but you're also heading into a pay per view and have some stories to tell to get there. So you're gonna eventually get there building stars. But right now, you got to get to that backlash 2002, which we're getting to now. So Kurt edge eventually comes out and you guys bra away into the crowd. Do you think you an edge have enough time to build a story for backlash?
Well, I think that we were kind of busy doing other programs like Hulk Hogan and Triple H. But it was ample enough time to have the program. I mean, we did enough, you know, we did the Comedy Spot with the with the with the cards, where you know, Edge was, you know, showing the it's true, and you suck in that stuff? No. Yeah, it was Apple enough time to have the program. So I think it was built up properly. We could have done a little bit more, if given the time, but I was happy with it.
Did you know at any point at this time that eventually Hey, you're gonna lose your hair to this guy.
I found out two weeks ahead of time from Vince McMahon. And he told me Don't say a word, because he wanted to pull a rib on edge the day of the pay per view. So the day of the pay per view, he pulls us aside and says, Hey, listen, you guys are going to have a hair versus hair. We discussed it a couple of weeks ago. I want Angular to go over on you edge. You're gonna shave your head tonight. And it was so quiet. He didn't say anything events. And he walks away. And he goes up to the top level of the arena up in the seats all day he stayed up there alone. doesn't want to talk to anybody. It comes down around six at night. The show's gonna start at seven. He says Kurt I don't know if I can shave my head. My head is kind of funny looking. I don't think I'm gonna look good shaved. And the crazy thing is Vince McMahon did not tell edge that I was gonna have my head shaved until two minutes before the match. We literally had to change the finish two minutes before the match started because Vince McMahon wanted to pull a rib on edge and make him believe that he was gonna shave his head it was hilarious.
That's great. Well Kurt, we made it we're here it's backlash time and this show takes place in Kemper Arena and you're voted as having the best match on the show against edge according the observer either surprising I mean that's just what you did Kurt Angle you delivered every time Meltzer even puts over that you made edge into a player on the show even with him losing and we're gonna check out the end of this match to take a look
don't get frustrated keep your composure
resourceful counter back the white
boots skirt I don't think I'm used to seeing in the white boots
I liked it Austin Wow Austin had lost from the feathers
slammed in work
that was the company I work at now still that is a meat
Oh okay.
Gotta get an angle disqualified believable animals as close as you can get and they'll be hearing the vowel sounds everything is moved by any angle really unreal Street here in particular face by edge for forgetting that chair out of here that the chair out of there before as you said boys are gonna be thinking about his fear is his his spirits when he said that he saw he punted
that is not easy to talk to us guys run it you like full speed you're gonna step on?
Yeah, it has to be as he should be. Kurt what a win what a victory and let's let's read what Meltzer had to say Kurt pinned edge in 13 minutes 25 seconds. tremendous match. Man Dave Meltzer was a big fan of Kurt Angle.
I picked that up as I always thought he didn't like me. Well, I
think he was a big fan of your work for sure. He said angled at a tremendous belly to belly superplex early to set up an ankle lock spot edge to the scary German suplex with angle landing on a shoulder and head. We didn't see that here but man, I went back and watched the full mat was
That was my call and I should have never called it because when you do Germans and you never do them before and you do it for the first time you're gonna land them wrong. And I should have had edge practice on the dummy for a little bit but that was my phone.
Guys. If you haven't seen it, watch it. You can tell there's immediate communication going on as soon as that that moves hit, which is always a bad sign like are you okay kind of thing. So, he also did a plot shift from the top rope out of the ring and a missile dropkick for nearfall angle came back with the angle slam from a nearfall. He went for an ankle lock but edge reversed it into a front rolling cradle lots of strong near falls with the crowd going nuts for them with a creative clean finish edge went for the spear and angle kicked a field goal with him and got a pin with the angle slam. He gave it four and a quarter stars big time score here from Dave Meltzer. You got to be happy how this match turned out with Edge, buddy.
Yeah, I was extremely happy. We knew we stole the show. It was the best match of the night, one of the best matches of the year, to be honest with you, if we were to put in another five minutes, it might have been the best match of the year. And when I went backstage Vince McMahon absolutely was, you know, elated. You know, he was like you guys steal the show. It doesn't matter what's going to happen after this. You guys already steal the show. So that was a really good compliment.
And hey, listen, and if the goal was to help have you help edge become that next level guy? I'd say I have to say you certainly accomplished it here, man.
We certainly did. You're absolutely right, Paul.
Well, listen, let's get to the fan questions. We have a few this week. And so I want to transition over to those from a wrestling historian he says whose idea was it to have you to work a program together?
It was actually events and the reason why is because Vince wanted me to shave my head. My hair was receding and Vince didn't like it. And he wanted to turn me from the funny Olympic hero character into the wrestling machine. And that wasn't his idea was always his idea to do that. So you know I agree with him and I knew my head was you know, my hair was I was losing my hair definitely. And you understand what I'm talking about?
I have no idea where you get that from Kurt
but but you know what, I was happy to do it and the fall they beautiful. We even got to pull a red ribbon edge and make him think he shaved his head he was going to shave his head
well you know what, that's the look that sucked your wife and so it all worked out for you.
Did she so there you go Richie bald headed man
she does she does she likes that Vin Diesel look likes the rub the head. I could go so many places with that. Richie is up next. He said who came up with the chair bouncing off the ropes. When you tried to hit edge with it. Would you just change that spot today? If you could
never that is the best spot in the world. Fifth Philly came up with it. And I absolutely love that people are still doing it like seven or eight times after that. I was addicted to that spot. I loved it. You know I'm usually a serious competitor wrestler. But I like doing comedy spots so this was this was that we know
we saw your I saw your ass cheeks we know you like Ben says did you project your prior friendship with Edge make working together easier? Or were there challenges to working with someone you were so close to?
It made it easier because I said before you stiffed them. You didn't have to apologize? That's right. And you can beat the shit out of each other and know each other and not have to apologize for it.
That's awesome. And you've already answered this question from our buddy Brad Stanton at free shows top guy he said what's your favorite version of Hogan? Real American or Hollywood? You said it you're all red and yellow. But baby.
I love that because he was such a huge babyface. And he had such an impact on on mainstream America. You know what he was able to do with the business and transcend it and make it into mainstream? You know, the web was basically a territory back then. Northeast was the beginning of it. And he's the reason why the web prospered the way it did. Yeah,
he was the catalyst he was Vince McMahon's guy to help take it national Deathstar. Yeah. ad free shows.com Slap not Tyler says. What did you think of Hogan becoming the undisputed champion of backlash and did you know at that point that you would have a program with Hogan a couple months later?
I thought it was great, you know that late in his career, him being able to do that. I I'm not gonna lie to you. He was a little slower than he was in the past. But he was still really good in the ring. You just have to slow your pace down with him. But I was really excited to work with him and the crazy thing is, and I believe I'm the only one to ever make Hulk Hogan tap out. And that happened just a couple of months after backlash. That's right Kurt Angle. You only wanted to make Hulk Hogan taboc. Listen to me how Cogan I made you tap out? Yes.
added to your list of accolades when you were in Vince's office, I made Hogan tap out there. Yeah. ad free shows.com top guy, Brian, her emza ass. When you get the program with edge going, what were your thoughts at this time of his potential? Did you think he had gotten out of the tag team label? In your opinion?
Yes, I you know, even when he was in the Tag Team label, I didn't consider him a tag team wrestler. I always knew that Edge and Christian would break out and be great singles competitors, and they both had incredible careers. And it wasn't a surprise to me. So I always looked at them as singles wrestlers and not tag team wrestlers.
There you go ad free shows.com final question this week member yam bag Jones. God I love that handle. He asked how much did you ever get to work with to Jerry he was on an opening match of the show. And I always thought he was incredibly underrated.
You know, he had a great Japanese style. I got to work them a couple of times. His kicks were incredible. I mean, they weren't even stiff and look stiff as hell but he had a very kind of realism to him. And I really enjoyed working with him. He was very physical for a little guy too.
Yeah, I was a big to Jerry fan as well, man. You're right. Everything was
comedic timing. The kid was incredible. I mean, he had so much talent, not just in the ring but overall
Yeah, he had that comedic time and like you said, but also in the ring. He felt so realistic, his style authentic and physical. He could do a lot of cool things in the ring. I was a big fan as well. Kurt Listen, in a couple of weeks we'll be discussing lock down 2012 Or going back to TNA where you take on Jeff Hardy and a six sides of steel cage match. Then your history and thoughts on AJ Styles. And then finally we're going to talk sacrifice 2007 where you finally win the big belt and tea and a man I'm pumped for the next couple of weeks buddy. Yeah, it
should be really cool. Especially 2012 When I wrestle Jeff Hardy in the cage match
Yeah, that's gonna be fun. Well buddy as we always do, before we leave here we're about to run through some fun stuff. And don't don't fast forward this guys. I'm telling you we have a lot of fun with these now. Physically fit.com Kurt, let's talk about what you got for us
chicken snacks and snack smart, crispy protein bites. Once chicken protein ones organic plant protein. There are 11 different flavors. They're sweet barbecue, honey mustard, Siracha cinnamon swirl, go to physically fit.com The word of yours. And if you use the promo code angle pod, you'll get 20% off your first order or you could become a member and get 20% off the rest of your life. You sign up on the website, the Kurt Angle membership, you'll get this 20% off for the rest of your life.
If you want to look like Vince McMahon chicken snacks if you want to. If you want that thick juicy ass like Kurt Angle chicken snacks. I mean you've seen it we've demoed it for you here today shredded Vince McMahon thick ass Kurt Angle, chicken snacks It's all because of chicken snack. So there you go. Talk about Kurt Angle Brandon worry, we'll do some cameos they can buy cowboy hats, T shirts, whatever other gimmicks that you have over there. Tell them all about a Kurt.
We have milk cartons we have autographed photos, birthday cards, cowboy hats can
they get a song can they get a song messages? No
thongs? One I wore $100,000
The ring worn thong from Kurt Angle now Kurt Angle brand.com
That's right, go to Kurt Angle brand.com To order any merchandise you want.
Wildcat belts.com For that real American hero Kurt Angle brown belt. There's three left he's got one that have to have been sold. That's right.
This belt is incredible. Love the detailing, as he uses it
to take down as Mike Yeah, look at that. I mean the camera shot we need a little work there but that looks beautiful. Skirt knocks down half his desk. Look at the patriotic colors buddy
leather. Yeah, this is a really cool belt. Really well done. Wildcat belts. They're the ones that do web titles and
as idols, they just recently did the upgrade to the NXT belts. Wildcat Andrew is the man who does it all himself by hand. And oh my god Kurt's playing with his puppet in the corner. And yes, it really is. A smash buddy. There you go. Smash buddies. Check it out. There's a Kurt Angle one out there. So as we said on the last week, comm box again mix.com If you want to cuddle with Kurt, that's the way to do it. And this one has a full sling lid on so no worries about that. Kurt Finally, Saturday, August 27. It's wrestling night at the park for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with Kurt Angle, Kurt and I are going to be in Appleton, Wisconsin that night right outside of Green Bay, right. That's right outside of Green Bay, the cheese capital of the world. And we're going to have fun. We're going to do a live q&a podcast, our show before the game. Kurt's gonna throw out the first pitch. He's gonna run the bases with his new knees, as he told us about on the last show. That's right, but we're gonna have a fun time there's going to be a meet and greet q&a time you're gonna get some pictures with the fans. We're gonna have a blast out there, man.
It'd be a lot of fun. I can't wait for that event.
So check it out. You can check it out on their website. I just heard from the guy this week that their social media, they're updating the website with all the information. So again, Wisconsin, Timber Rattlers get out there to Wisconsin, August 27. It's a Saturday and Kurt and I will shake your hand will kiss babies. Whatever you want us to do. We'll have a good time. Listen, that's all we got for this week show. Kurt. This was a blast, my friend.
We had a blast today. This was so much fun. I can't wait for next week.
Sounds good. Well listen on behalf of Kurt Angle, your Olympic gold hero. And Paul and Paul bromwell. We'll see it right here next week on the Kurt Angle show. Have a great week, everybody.
