Olympic Gold Medalist Demanded to Be Treated Like The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin When It Came to His Salary

It’s important to know your worth. Otherwise, it’s very easy to fall prey to lower compensation for the efforts. This is something Kurt Angle realized in his rookie year, and knew he had to up his pay scale based on what he was doing in the ring.

During a session on The Kurt Angle Show, The Olympic Gold Medalist revealed that even though he had three years left on his rookie contract, he wanted to upgrade it.

“I went to JR [Jim Ross] and I said, ‘I need to get a new deal because this other deal is 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 Rock and Austin get’.”

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“I said, ‘I want what Rock and Austin are getting. Please talk to Vince’. He said, ‘I’ll go talk to Vince’. And, he talked to Vince and Vince said, yes, right away. And, then they gave me the deal. So I got the same guarantee as The Rock and Austin and Undertaker.” 

Now, demanding what The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin are making isn’t the big deal, the big deal is performing like they do in the ring. It’s safe to say that Angle didn’t disappoint.

If Vince McMahon readily agreed to his demand, he definitely proved his worth. The Big Man could have easily denied the request considering he was making $75,000 guaranteed on his contract, but it was better to increase Angle’s pay than lose him altogether.

Kurt Angle remains an iconic pro-wrestler in WWE’s history

After winning the Olympic Gold Medal, Angle set his eyes on WWE. From his rookie year all the way until he retired at WrestleMania 35, Angle has constantly performed at a supreme level.

Angle wanted John Cena to retire him, but got Baron Corbin instead. While he didn’t get the retirement match of his choice, it didn’t prompt Kurt Angle to underperform.

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The WWE Universe will always remember him as The True Legend he is.