“I Thought Everybody Hated Me”- WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle Describes What It Felt Like Winning the World Title From the Rock Only 10 Months Into the Business

Winning the World Title in WWE is the ultimate dream of every pro wrestler. And so it was for Kurt Angle when he made his debut in WWE. Right from the gate, Kurt Angle was given the push he deserved. After winning an Olympic gold medal with a broken “freakin” neck, Kurt Angle rose to prominence in WWE. The Olympic Hero recently recalled how it felt to win his first-ever World Championship. 

In November 1999, Kurt Angle made his debut in WWE. And not very long after, in less than a year, Angle beat The Rock at No Mercy and became the new World Champion. Looking back, Kurt Angle revealed what the title victory meant to him. 

Kurt Angle reveals how it felt to beat The Rock and win his first-ever World Championship in WWE

During an edition of The Kurt Angle Show, the four-time WWE Champion revealed that winning the World Championship for the first time was almost as significant as winning the Olympic gold medal. Angle entered the business as a fierce heel. And his Championship run wasn’t just a run of the mill. The fact that Kurt Angle won the top title in his rookie year only substantiated that the company trusted him. 

Naturally, because Kurt Angle was so good as a heel, fans hated him. Angle stated, “I didn’t think one fan was excited I won, I thought everybody hated me. But you know what, it was awesome. It almost felt as good as winning the Olympic gold medal. Not quite but almost. And the reason is, I beat The Rock for the World Championship, my first World Championship”.

Kurt further added that he was “really happy” when The Rock told him, “you’re the man now!”. 

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To think that Kurt Angle had early success due to his Olympic wrestling background alone would be a travesty. Angle also brought entertainment value to WWE as the World Champion. All in all, his early success in the company was a result of his versatility and wrestling skills. 

Kurt Angle went on to have a decent World Championship reign in his rookie year

In the early 2000s, World Championship reigns did not last long. The title changed hands often due to the cutthroat competition in the Attitude Era. Angle proved that he was cut from a different cloth by staying the Champion for six months in his rookie year. 

The Wrestling Machine also pointed out that being the World Champion meant proving one’s worth as a Champion. He stated,  “winning that world title wasn’t just about winning the world title. It was about the company having the faith in you to continue on and be their Champion. And I had a good run, I had a good six-month run back then.”

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After leaving WWE in 2006, Angle carved out a legendary career in TNA. The six-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion remained with the company for a decade. What was your favorite Kurt Angle match? Let us know below!