“I Texted Vince Right Away” – Kurt Angle Reveals His Reaction to His WWE Release in 2020

Kurt Angle spoke with Conrad Thompson about the moment when he got to know that WWE had released him from his contract because of COVID-19 budget cuts.

Conrad Thompson asked him if WWE surprised him with the news, but Kurt Angle revealed that he was expecting this when he heard the company was letting Superstars and employees go.

“I wasn’t surprised. I knew when they were furloughing talent and employees, I knew I’d be the first one because I was the last producer to be hired, I have the least amount of experience, even though I am who I am.”

Furthermore, Angle revealed budget cuts meant the company wouldn’t be able to afford his salary.

“I’m probably not supposed to say this but I was getting paid quite a bit more than other producers. So, I mean, you know, Thank God. I mean it was kind of cool that Vince did that for me because I asked for a little bit more money and they granted. But that meant if they were gonna furlough, I was gonna be the first one gone.”

Even though the company released him from his contract, WWE offered him other roles within the company after a while. Kurt Angle didn’t accept any of the offers to concentrate on his own business.

“They offered me a job a month later. They offered me a job to coach NXT, they offered me a job to manage Matt Riddle, they offered me a job [Hall of Fame] or a legends contract, they offered me that, but I turned down all three because of my new company, Physically Fit Nutrition.”

Kurt Angle reveals messaging Vince McMahon after the release call

The time when Kurt Angle was released, he was merely in the growing stages as a producer. Considering the circumstances, he graciously accepted the untimely release.

“I only did a couple of Raw and SmackDown matches as a producer. I was learning. And I started out doing dark matches and main event matches for the main show on the weekends. So, I was learning, I was getting the art, soaking it in.”

“I wasn’t as experienced as the other guys and girls. And I just knew I was going to be let go first and I wasn’t surprised. I actually texted Vince right away, and I said ‘I understand why you did it’.”

As of now, there is no further information about whether he will ever return to WWE, regardless of what role he plays within the company.