Kurt Angle released

[RGWhat316]

from WWE.com

Due to personal issues Kurt Angle has been granted an early release from his contract. WWE looks forward to establishing a new relationship with Kurt in the near future.

The only gold medalist in WWE history, Kurt Angle arrived in 1999 and quickly became one of the most decorated champions in sports-entertainment history. "The Wrestling Machine" is not only a six-time World Champion, but also held the Intercontinental Championship, Tag Team Championship and won the 2000 King of the Ring tournament. Recently joining ECW, Angle’s unmatched intensity was rivaled only by his technical and athletic in-ring prowess.


:( Well, he is really injury prone and we knew his days were numbered. Hopefully this keeps him healthier.

[Xero]

Oh.... My God...

I know he was in horrible condition, but I wasn't expecting this so soon. At most I was expecting him to just go off TV for a while, not be released.

[FourFifty]

FUCK!!!!!

[Xero]

I thought this was a joke at first, but when i hovered over it it said it's from WWE.com.

:'(

[Blitz]

Fuckkkkkkkkk :'(

[Xero]

One last time, for good time's sake...

<FONT SIZE="20"><FONT COLOR="#ff0000">K</FONT><FONT COLOR="#ff1c1c">U</FONT><FONT COLOR="#ff3939">R</FONT><FONT COLOR="#ff5555">T</FONT><FONT COLOR="#ff7272"> </FONT><FONT COLOR="#ff8e8e">F</FONT><FONT COLOR="#ffabab">U</FONT><FONT COLOR="#ffc7c7">C</FONT><FONT COLOR="#ffe4e4">K</FONT><FONT COLOR="#ffffff">I</FONT><FONT COLOR="#e4e4ff">N</FONT><FONT COLOR="#c7c7ff">G</FONT><FONT COLOR="#ababff"> </FONT><FONT COLOR="#8e8eff">A</FONT><FONT COLOR="#7272ff">N</FONT><FONT COLOR="#5555ff">G</FONT><FONT COLOR="#3939ff">L</FONT><FONT COLOR="#1c1cff">E</FONT><FONT COLOR="#0000ff">!</FONT></FONT>

[UmbrellaCorporation]

.....



Vader from Episode Three says it all. :(

[Xero]

Man, this came on fast, no one's covered it yet.

[FourFifty]

Noooooooooooooo!

I hope everything works out for the man. He'll excell at anything the does. If he ever wants to return to the ring he might be the key to helping TNA become a legit threat to WWE.

[redoneja]

Checked out WWE.com just to make sure with my own eyes. Its the first flash headline on there. I'm at a loss for words at the moment.

[alvarado52]

i just heard about it. This officially sucks balls.

[Blitz]

Man, if TNA could sign him..

[6to1]

i am suprised he was not kept on in a part time role must have made too much money, yea he would do good in tna, and less wrestling there.

[FourFifty]

So how many people are listening to his theme music right now?

[Crippla]

WHAT THE FUCK? NO?

[MVP]

WWE's slow death is gonna come a lot quicker now.

[HaTeR]

Yeah, really, this is a HUGE loss, what is wrestling without Kurt Angle?

[The MAC]

i thought this was a joke too..and had the classic "what the fuck" moment. But remember the rumours of Kurt being on death watch ..etc?

Eitherway ..does anybody have details on his reasons for leaving?

YOU SUCK!!! YOU SUCK!!! YOU SUCK - kurt, thanks for the freaking memories dude!

[Sadistic]

I miss him already :(

Time to watch some old tapes.

[Crippla]

Jesus I almost fucking cried when I saw this. This is the biggest loss for WWE since Jericho and IMO is a lot bigger than Jericho.

[McLegend]

Holy Shit

[Crippla]

I still think will make appearances in the future like Mick Foley, Austin, etc.

[St. Jimmy]

Holy Fuck... I wish this was a joke =/ We'll miss you Kurt. :sad:

[The Fugitive]

Fuck!
Get better and come back soon, Kurt. :wavesad:

[Xero]

I hope this isn't a sign of things to come. I hope this isn't a sign that he's going to die soon.

Man, I hate to be so morbid, so I'm hoping that I'm wrong here.

[mike627]

All I can say is I hope Kurt comes back in full health.:'(

[Lock Jaw]

He'll be back. I GUUUUUUARRRRRANNNTTTTEEEE it.

[Mr. JL]

Well, it was reported that he is currently going through a divorce. Not too mention the withheld reason for his 30 day suspension. The rumors of his painkiller addiction and not being able to sleep at night. Now his latest groin tear injury, and the 3 times he's broken his fucking neck.

[Caged Heat18]

This is a huge shock, and a huge loss to the WWE. I can't believe it. Kurt will and is already missed.

[FourFifty]

As much as I'd love to see him comeback, I'd be happy just to know he's alright.

[Mr. JL]

Best Wishes Kurt!

[Mike the Metal Ed]

Eddie Guerrero dies, Jericho and Christian leave, Benoit takes a sabatical, now Angle asks for his release.

The reasons to watch WWE just get thinner and thinner. :(

[Team Sheep]

As much as I hate this news, it's for the best. He needs a long rest.

Hope to see you soon Kurt you fucking legend.

[M-A-G]

About freaking time.

[M-A-G]

And before anyone gets on my case let me just say that my comment is totally keeping Kurt's health in mind. I mean, if he's not careful he might not hurt his neck at ALL this year.

[DS]

RIP Kurt

Oops, thought he had died after I read all these replies. He will probably be back within a year. Might not wrestle, but I'm sure they will bring him back.

[FourFifty]

RIP Kurt

And the "That wasn't needed" award goes to you:n:
Did you even bother to read the thread? He's not working for WWE any more, not dead. You might just become the next big fucktard.

[DS]

You probably took that a lot more seriously than I had intended. I wasn't wishing any ill will towards Kurt, I was simply trying to point out the overreaction of the majority of posts in this thread. It's not like he is gone forever and in the first paragraph of the WWE.com article they state that they look forward to a new relation in the near future. I probably should have elaborated more than what I did so I apologize.

[Kane Knight]

Checked out WWE.com just to make sure with my own eyes. Its the first flash headline on there. That image is so inappropriate.

[FourFifty]

You probably took that a lot more seriously than I had intended. I wasn't wishing any ill will towards Kurt, I was simply trying to point out the overreaction of the majority of posts in this thread. It's not like he is gone forever and in the first paragraph of the WWE.com article they state that they look forward to a new relation in the near future. I probably should have elaborated more than what I did so I apologize.

You change your argument quicker than I change mine with KK.

[KingofOldSchool]

I wish they had let him come to Raw Monday and give him a chance to speak before he leaves.

Imagine the pop he'd get.

[Dorkchop]

I wish he got a sweet final match, but I can understand. He's probably been pretty banged up and drained from wrestling so hard.

Maybe he can pull an HBK and come back in a couple of years with a lighter schedule. Here's hoping.

This is a huge loss for wrestling in general, not just the WWE. It's bad enough my interest in wrestling has been fading more and more lately. This is most likely going to make it worse.

[#1-norm-fan]

I actually almost posted "RIP", reading alot of these posts too. Has that kind of feel to it. Seriously, he may be in bad shape but it's okay. He's alive. He'll come back at some point, probably pretty soon, and it will be a great moment. I mean... sad is okay but "almost crying"... come on. It's not that bad.

[KingofOldSchool]

I just wish they gave him a chance to say goodbye to the fans, I think Angle would like to have done that. Let them know how he felt and that he will be back sometime, etc.

[weather vane]

Austin
Rock
Jericho
Benoit
Lesner
Angle
Eddie
Christain

All of them huge stars. Gone.

[Xero]

Austin
Rock
Jericho
Benoit
Lesner
Angle
Eddie
Christain

All of them huge stars. Gone.
Christian was never a huge star in WWE.

Majorly over, but not a star.

[Jordan]

TNA TNA TNA TNA JOE V.S ANGLE omg, sorry mark out moment, it's possible now.

[weather vane]

Christian was never a huge star in WWE.

Majorly over, but not a star.

lol k whatever

[Kane Knight]

I just wish they gave him a chance to say goodbye to the fans, I think Angle would like to have done that. Let them know how he felt and that he will be back sometime, etc.

Assuming this was entirely WWE's decision.

[ClockShot]

Goodness. What a huge loss for the fans and company. I pray the man comes back in tip top condtion.

You'll be missed Kurt. Get well soon.:'(

[Corkscrewed]

He, Angle's given us seven great years of wrestling. Seven years. That's more than most wrestlers have in the spotlight.

He deserves time off to get his personal life together and mend those injuries.

If he comes back, I'll be happy--so long as he doesn't mess himself up further. But he deserves a break. We're lucky to have seen him in the ring for as long as we did.

[mike627]

TNA TNA TNA TNA JOE V.S ANGLE omg, sorry mark out moment, it's possible now. what makes you think TNA can afford Angle?:lol:

[D Mac]

I was in a good mood until I saw this fucking thread. :mad:

[KingofOldSchool]

TNA TNA TNA TNA JOE V.S ANGLE omg, sorry mark out moment, it's possible now.

Angle wouldn't touch TNA with his life.

And even if he would, would you really want Joe to kill Angle?

[Fox]

Christian was never a huge star in WWE.

Majorly over, but not a star.


Dude, that's a matter of opinion. Don't state it like fact.

I support Spilchuk's

lol k whatever




This is a loss to wrestling as a whole, but in the current situation, I can't really help but not be too bummed out about it.

This won't effect 3/4 of the wrestling on TV: RAW, Smackdown and TNA. It will effect ECW, but only slightly, since they will have a lot of awesome wrestlers to look forward to every week (CM Punk keeps getting better), and Angle's matches were becoming more and more formulaic.

This is not a diss on Angle, as the man is a wrestling God and has done more in 7 years than most wrestlers do their whole career. It's just that currently, it's not really going to effect my wrestling watching too much. It is, however, very unfortunate.

Hopefully he'll pull a Shawn Michaels in that he'll take a couple years off, get healed up, and come back better than ever.

[Boondock Saint]

Holy crap. This is a shock. Sucks.

Hope he works out all his problems though.

Kurt, you were the man.

[starfox8500]

OMG first Trish hooking up with Carlito and now this?!!?

[RVDmark]

[INSERT EXPLETIVES HERE]

This is a bad day in wrestling history.

Although if it gives him a rest (which he has rightly earned) and the chance to straighten out some personal issues then good for him.


Could anyone explain to me about the deathwatch situation with kurt. Its pretty self expanatory but could someone elaborate on why he is/was on deathwatch and is he expected to die young or only if he continues wrestling.

[YOUR Hero]

Dear Kurt;

Get your shit together.

Much love,

YOUR Hero

[6to1]

i can see him going to work with tna he would only have to work twice a month, he can work like steiner. we need to get the facts on how he was released from the wwe.

[Kane Knight]

I've got to say, like I told a few people on AIM/MSN, I think this is a good thing. We lose him now for a while, or he keeps wrestling and we lose him forever.

I'd rather have him alive than have entire shows dedicated to his memory.

[YOUR Hero]

Kane gets it.

[YOUR Hero]

IN THA' BUM!

[Sting Fan]

It is a loss yes, it is sad yes, but TBH considering his ever decreasing role on WWE T.V. lately its not going to kill WWE.

Lets not go over the top guys.

Thats said it is really sad to see a guy I regard as the best complete wrestler EVER leaving a buasiness he so obviously loves.

Hopefully he can get his shit together and be back soon.

[Kane Knight]

IN THA' BUM!

I'm not the backdoor kinda gal.

[Volare]

O.k. here's a question... How long till we hear a We-Want-Angle chant??

I say next week ECW

[What Would Kevin Do?]

FUCK FUCK FUCK!!

Not cool.

Probably better for him though.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>This is a dark day</font> :(

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

He's just recovering from an STD he picked up from one of those gutter sluts he used to love so much.

But seriously, I hope he's back soon; but more importantly, healthy.

[Triple A]

Wow, terrible.

[Corndad]

Wow. What the fuck. This is not good. I hope he takes time off and gets healed up and is able to come back. Damn that's selfish but hell. I think I'm gonna go watch the Angle/Beniot Match from Rumble a few years ago just to pass the time.

[Skippord]

:'(

[alvarado52]

As much as I hate this news, it's for the best. He needs a long rest.

Hope to see you soon Kurt you fucking legend.

i agree, he did need a long rest. These past couple months you could almost see he wasnt in his role the way he used to be, he was used sparingly and when he got in the ring he really didnt look like he was enjoying himself, he looked like the average joe does at their job...just going through the motions to get their paycheck.
I think this will be good for him, and i think he will come back to wrestling sometime to some fed, he just needs time to really focus on life outside wrestling and to relight his fire.

[Pinnacle Charisma]

I have hardily watched wwe in the last six months. Now thats another reason not to watch it at all.



R.I.P WWE

[Shadow]

Holy shit. Of all the guys to be let go...this is not the guy I would've thought would go.

[Volare]

you ain't the only one

[Fox]

i can see him going to work with tna he would only have to work twice a month, he can work like steiner.


What? You mean he should roid up and barely be able to move?


"I love the freaks. It's true, it's true."



Don't ever compare Kurt "God" Angle to Scott "Ragin" Steiner.

[Blitz]

As much as this sucks, I have to agree with Hero, KK, etc..

His health is obviously the most important thing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

This doesn't really bother me. I haven't seen Kurt Angle wrestle in months, and most of his matches have been one minute squashes where he places someone in the Ankle Lock and that's it.

Angle needs some time off to rest his body and get his family back together. Angle won't do it by choice, he loves wrestling too much. I'm glad the WWE took a big risk and released him.

The wrestling mark inside me wants to see Kurt Angle get so pissed off with the WWE, and the become so controlled by the need to wrestle, we see Angle in TNA. Sure, the money won't be as great, but the the matches would be fantastic. Angle vs. Daniels, Angle vs. Styles, Angle vs. Joe. Who is currently not jizzing themselves?

I wouldn't put it past the WWE to get Kurt Angle to be in a WWE Films project. Probably a comedy, or something. When his movie is coming out, Angle returns for a little bit.

I doubt we've seen the last of Kurt Angle in the wrestling business, one way or another.

[Vastardikai]

This is sad, but it reminds me of the best worker in the '80s: Dynamite Kid.

It'd blow more ass than a breeze through a Donkey Farm if Kurt were to end up bitter in a wheel chair. And with... (Insert name of dead wrestler the WWE's been exploiting the memory of for the past, almost year here.)'s passing, I don't think we need to have another one going so soon.

Let Kurt heal up and get his life back on track. As far as missing him, there's always Tapes and DVDs (Need to get ONS2 so I can watch Kurt Wood Shed Orton over and over.)

[The One]

My only hope is that both he and Jericho will return in short but sweet roles. Much like Hogan...only actually entertaining.

[Mr. Nerfect]

They should so take this opportunity to put out a Kurt Angle DVD. What with all his matches on it and all. I guarantee it will out-sell a Hogan DVD (seriously).

I actually see them adding Kurt Angle to the Hall of Fame next year at WrestleMania. Then when he returns to the ring, they can call him "The Wrestling Hall of Famer", and make him seem like the second coming.

[The Ravishing One]

^ Good Call :y:

[Mr. Nerfect]

My only hope is that both he and Jericho will return in short but sweet roles. Much like Hogan...only actually entertaining.

I would have an orgasm if Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho came back as a tag team.

Paul London & Brian Kendrick have just defended the WWE Tag Team Championship in a multi-team epic. Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho run to the ring and hit an endless stream of suplexes and signature moves on London & Kendrick. Jericho gets Kendrick in the Liontamer version of the Walls of Jericho and Angle gets on the mic.

KURT ANGLE: I was one-half of the first-ever WWE Tag Team Champion with Chris freakin' Benoit, but now I'm going to do it with Chris freakin' Jericho. WOOOOOO!

Angle and Jericho then become radical-like characters, claiming they were wrongfully released by the WWE, and they are going to teach the "juniors" how it is done.

CHRIS JERICHO: Saul Dublin and Brad Kondrick will find out why Chris Jericho & Kurt Angle are the greatest Superstars in LackDown! history.

At the next PPV, Angle & Jericho and London & Kendrick wrestle in a Tag Team Iron Man Match, which London & Kendrick win to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship. Kurt Angle who is pissed off, attacks Chris Jericho, and the two feud heading into the next PPV.

:love: I can have wet dreams.

[Pinnacle Charisma]

I would have an orgasm if Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho came back as a tag team.

Paul London & Brian Kendrick have just defended the WWE Tag Team Championship in a multi-team epic. Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho run to the ring and hit an endless stream of suplexes and signature moves on London & Kendrick. Jericho gets Kendrick in the Liontamer version of the Walls of Jericho and Angle gets on the mic.

KURT ANGLE: I was one-half of the first-ever WWE Tag Team Champion with Chris freakin' Benoit, but now I'm going to do it with Chris freakin' Jericho. WOOOOOO!

Angle and Jericho then become radical-like characters, claiming they were wrongfully released by the WWE, and they are going to teach the "juniors" how it is done.

CHRIS JERICHO: Saul Dublin and Brad Kondrick will find out why Chris Jericho & Kurt Angle are the greatest Superstars in LackDown! history.

At the next PPV, Angle & Jericho and London & Kendrick wrestle in a Tag Team Iron Man Match, which London & Kendrick win to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship. Kurt Angle who is pissed off, attacks Chris Jericho, and the two feud heading into the next PPV.

:love: I can have wet dreams.


Yeah I just had an orgasm

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's kind of odd that Kurt Angle and Chris Jericho have had so little exposure to each other in a wrestling ring, and now they're two of the men people most want to see back in the WWE.

I know they've had a one-on-one match before, during the 2000 King of the Ring Tournament, but apart from that, I don't remember any other encounter.

Please find a way to make it happen, WWE.

[The One]

Angle also won the his first Intercontinental Title from Jericho in a singles match, and the before mentioned KotR match, and I want to say they had one other singles match but I can't think of it.

Anyway I have always been mystified as to why they never gave Jericho and Angle a real program with each other after the first one (which Angle was still SO green during).

[Mr. Nerfect]

Oh God, the thought of Jericho in a SmackDown! ring again, gives me goosebumps. I think it's just the nostalgia of the old SmackDown! days, when Jericho's name used to appear in the opening video. I honestly believe Jericho belongs between the blue ropes again.

Put Jericho on SmackDown! and you've made it the best wrestling show on television. When Chris Benoit returns, stick him on there. If/when Kurt Angle returns, stick him on there. When Stone Cold Steve Austin is bound to do appearances to hype The Condemned, have him go there. I'm getting jizz on my computer screen.

[Impeccable]

Only one word will suffice for a situation like this.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO............OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Mr. Nerfect]

Angle also won the his first Intercontinental Title from Jericho in a singles match, and the before mentioned KotR match, and I want to say they had one other singles match but I can't think of it.

Anyway I have always been mystified as to why they never gave Jericho and Angle a real program with each other after the first one (which Angle was still SO green during).

Yeah, they had a few matches early on, but we've never seen "Bald" Angle vs. Chris Jericho. That would be seven shades of awesome.

Oh fuck, I'm ruining the tone of this thread with my ideas that will never happen, but if Angle and Jericho did come back as a team for a bit, then ended up feuding, their team music would have potential to be so awesome. Have Angle's music play, but have Angle and Jericho pre-record it, so where there would normally be "You Suck" chants, have it alternate between Kurt Angle yelling "An-gle!" and Jericho screaming "Jeri-cho!". :love:

[road doggy dogg]

what the fuck? WWE release like the best wrestler in the history of the entire stupid business. That'd be like the Chargers releasing LT for no reason at all. Terriible

[The One]

RDD, in fairness Kurt Angle asked to be released. They were respecting his wishes.

[road doggy dogg]

I don't care, it's still super gay.

[Rammsteinmad]

Kurt Angle is without a doubt one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. There comes a time when eventually every wrestler's career has to end (except Flair and Hogan). He's given us seven years of some of the best matches and promos we've ever had the honour of watching.

As the saying goes, don't be sad it's over, be happy it happened. Thank you Kurt Angle.

[Tommy Gunn]

I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of Kurt Angle.

He's been my favourite wrestler ever since he arrived in the WWE. After watching Kurt wrestle, my expectations for wrestling in general soared and thanks to Angle and Benoit (and Bret before them) I have become a huge mark for technical wrestling.

The move to ECW was a bad call IMO, and I hope after a LONG rest and of course if Angle WANTS to come back, WWE put him into the World Title hunt where he belongs.

I just hope Kurt is okay. :'( His health is the most important thing.

[owenbrown]

*Bows down to the greatness that is Kurt Angle's career* :y: :yes:

[Blue Demon]

Dude, that's a matter of opinion. Don't state it like fact.

I support Spilchuk's






This is a loss to wrestling as a whole, but in the current situation, I can't really help but not be too bummed out about it.

This won't effect 3/4 of the wrestling on TV: RAW, Smackdown and TNA. It will effect ECW, but only slightly, since they will have a lot of awesome wrestlers to look forward to every week (CM Punk keeps getting better), and Angle's matches were becoming more and more formulaic.

This is not a diss on Angle, as the man is a wrestling God and has done more in 7 years than most wrestlers do their whole career. It's just that currently, it's not really going to effect my wrestling watching too much. It is, however, very unfortunate.

Hopefully he'll pull a Shawn Michaels in that he'll take a couple years off, get healed up, and come back better than ever.
:yes:

[Kane Knight]

I don't care, it's still super gay.


Yeah, they should have let him kill hismelf in ring. That'd be GREAT!

[Crippla]

My only hope is that both he and Jericho will return in short but sweet roles. Much like Hogan...only actually entertaining.

Yeah, I'm hoping they can return and work part time with WWE at some point.

[The MAC]

well with so many stars leaving (or left ) maybe its time the WWE started pushing its mid card talent..quiet a few guys deserve it - PUSH REGAL DAMMIT! he'd make one hell of a heel champion

[Xero]

Dude, that's a matter of opinion. Don't state it like fact.

I support Spilchuk's
Opinion vs. the actual push he got. Never pushed like a star, thus never was a star IN THE COMPANY'S EYES.

[PullMyFinger]

There goes a legend and the best, most talented wrestler WWE had.

[Pepsi Man]

Opinion vs. the actual push he got. Never pushed like a star, thus never was a star IN THE COMPANY'S EYES.
No, I mean really...Christian, love him or hate him, was never a big star. He was an Intercontinental Title level talent at best in the WWE, and never main evented a Pay-Per-View, and rarely main evented a Raw or SmackDown! for that matter.

Five years from now, no casual fan will mention Christian UNLESS TNA becomes more popular and continues to push Christian, or he returns to the WWE.

[Jordan]

Angle wouldn't touch TNA with his life.

And even if he would, would you really want Joe to kill Angle?

:yes:

[RGWhat316]

*Bows down to the greatness that is Kurt Angle's career* :y: :yes:
I second that.

[Destor]

Wow, terrible.

[Destor]

Beaten and battered
By Michael Cole
August 26, 2006

http://www.wwe.com/content/media/images/344364/angle200x300.jpg
“My body is so beat up and run down, I can’t even think straight,” Kurt Angle tells WWE.com in an exclusive interview Saturday concerning his early release from his contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. Angle and WWE officials mutually agreed to end Angle’s relationship with the company on Friday.

Angle says seven years of non-stop wrestling has taken a major toll on his body, his mind and his family. “I need my body to reheal and rehab, I have done this for too long without a break. I haven’t been able to really enjoy my life. I haven’t seen my family, I’ve had problems with medication - I’m just fried physically and mentally.”

Angle’s business manager David Hawk claims, “Kurt’s in a tremendous amount of pain, he’s used prescription medication to deal with it. Kurt has come to the conclusion that unless he can get in the ring without the use of pain medication then he doesn’t need to be in there. He realizes he was just endangering himself and his opponents.”

The last straw for Angle seems to have occurred on August 13th, 2006, at an ECW (http://www.wwe.com/shows/ecw/) live event in White Plains, New York. Angle was wrestling Rob Van Dam in a match where both competitors were fueled by the passionate ECW fans. “The crowd was wild,” Angle says. “Early on in the match, I pulled my groin, but I kept going, feeding off the crowd. Then I pulled my abdominal muscle off the pelvic bone, but I kept going as the crowd grew more wild. Finally, I blew out my hamstring, but we finished the match. The crowd stood and applauded - a standing ovation and that meant so much to me.”

Ironically that would be Angle’s last match.

WWE.com asked Angle if he would ever return to competition in WWE. Angle says “I can’t tell you that right now, I need to heal up mentally and physically. Until then, I can’t even think about returning.”

But Angle says WWE Chairman Vince McMahon told him the door is always open. “Vince says when I’m ready, if I’m ever ready, to come back just sign on the dotted line. I’ll tell you if I do return I’m going back to my roots, training on the mat like my amateur days. Longevity is the key.”

Hawk seems confident Angle will be in the ring again someday.

Angle has a final message to his legion of WWE and ECW fans. “Don’t be concerned, this move was for the best. It was a privilege to be able to compete for all of you. I’d like to say thank you.”

WWE.com will continue to follow up on Kurt Angle over the next several months.

[Caged Heat18]

He'll go down as one of the all-time greats.

[Mr. JL]

Fuck, now I want to see that match with Van Dam extremely badly.

[Craftsman]

It is for the best.

[Avenger]

I am pretty happy to hear this news. I will of course miss the man who probably did this better than anyone else who ever lived, but we all knew he was on death watch. Things really were that bad for Kurt, he was royally fucked up physically and mentally. I've been hoping he would take some proper time off for a while, and by that I mean a couple years. I'm glad it's finally happened. I just feel lucky to have seen him compete live.

[Avenger]

Angle also won the his first Intercontinental Title from Jericho in a singles match, and the before mentioned KotR match, and I want to say they had one other singles match but I can't think of it.

Anyway I have always been mystified as to why they never gave Jericho and Angle a real program with each other after the first one (which Angle was still SO green during).I'd say an Angle/Jericho feud circa. 2004-5 would be unreal. It's a pity we never got to see them wrestle when Angle had really peaked.

God I miss Y2J.

[ThruTheWire]

Kurt better take at least 2 years off... otherwise he's going to kill himself when he returns.

[Azriel]

He'll really be missed, but he needs the time off. Good call Kurt. Get well and come back soon :y: