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02-15-2007, 12:36 PM
Interesting Read!
KURT ANGLES AN MMA DEBUT AGAIN
By John Pollock
A figure that permeates throughout both professional and amateur wrestling, Kurt Angle’s has re-emerged in mixed martial arts circles recently.
Angle, who earned a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and parlayed this accomplishment into a lucrative career in the World Wrestling Entertainment franchise, has flirted with the idea of taking his talents out of the pre-determined realm before.
With a lighter schedule working with rival promotion Total Non-Stop Action (TNA) and a recovery from numerous health issues, 38-year-old Angle says he’s poised to enter the MMA world in 2007 with a number of suitors courting the former Olympian. At the top of the list, says Angle, is the newly formed Elite XC, which enjoyed a strong debut this past Saturday on the premium channel SHOWTIME.
“It looks like I’m going to sign with them (Elite XC) but then all of a sudden Dana White comes along last week and calls Dixie Carter (President of TNA) and says ‘Why is Kurt going to Showtime? I want to talk to him; he should be fighting for Spike, for UFC.”
Pro Elite’s Gary Shaw issued a “no comment” this morning regarding any contact they’ve had with Angle. Dixie Carter, President of TNA, who would not comment on Angle’s negotiations with any company but did confirm that the wrestler’s TNA contract allows him to do MMA, but only if TNA agrees it is best for him. Inquiries to the UFC were unanswered; while Angle says he’d need at least six to eight months of solid training before entering the cage or ring for a mixed martial arts debut.
“I can’t go in there with just my amateur wrestling skills,” said Angle. “I need to learn every facet of fighting, I need to learn how to protect myself with striking, submission holds, some jiu-jitsu and how to strike a bit better.”
Angle signed with Vince McMahon’s WWE in the summer of 1998, perfecting the persona of a “cocky and brash Olympic Gold Medalist” who was quick to point out his superiority over his fellow WWE competitors. The transition from amateur to pro wrestling was made almost seamlessly by Angle despite the drastically different demands. Angle was no longer trying to defeat opponents, but rather learn the art of “working with” athletic opponents to create a realistic presentation to audiences ranging from 3,000 to 65,000.
Angle brought his amateur acumen into professional wrestling and helped raise the in-ring product of the WWE into a style that was both applauded and respected by both peers and critics of professional wrestling.
With tension growing between Angle and the WWE last August, a rapidly detiorating Angle asked to be let of his five-year contract citing an inability to continue with the drastic schedule of close to 250 dates a year.
McMahon, believing that Angle would be taking a rumored deal with the PRIDE Fighting Championships, let Angle out of his deal and spun a story that Angle was fired rather than released. Angle shocked the entire wrestling world on September 24 when he announced he was signing with the Nashville, Tennessee-based TNA Wrestling venture, a distant rival to the WWE powerhouse.
Angle is 11 years removed from active competition and with five neck surgeries under his belt, coupled with the wear and tear on his body from seven years of professional wrestling, the risks of joining the MMA ranks is palpable. Angle seems undeterred, at least in mind and spirit.
“I know these fights could make or break me,” said Angle. “If I have a tremendous fight, it could make me shine even more and make me a bigger star, if I don’t, than it could have the opposite effect.”
Angle’s background in amateur wrestling might be his strongest asset for the move into combat sport’s next booming industry, with a particular role model fueling his interest.
“I’m looking towards Randy Couture, a good friend of mine and a wrestler,” Angle said. “He knows how to study opponents. Both him and I are not in our prime years, but can we win? Yes, we’re still able to go up against the best.”
KURT ANGLES AN MMA DEBUT AGAIN
By John Pollock
A figure that permeates throughout both professional and amateur wrestling, Kurt Angle’s has re-emerged in mixed martial arts circles recently.
Angle, who earned a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and parlayed this accomplishment into a lucrative career in the World Wrestling Entertainment franchise, has flirted with the idea of taking his talents out of the pre-determined realm before.
With a lighter schedule working with rival promotion Total Non-Stop Action (TNA) and a recovery from numerous health issues, 38-year-old Angle says he’s poised to enter the MMA world in 2007 with a number of suitors courting the former Olympian. At the top of the list, says Angle, is the newly formed Elite XC, which enjoyed a strong debut this past Saturday on the premium channel SHOWTIME.
“It looks like I’m going to sign with them (Elite XC) but then all of a sudden Dana White comes along last week and calls Dixie Carter (President of TNA) and says ‘Why is Kurt going to Showtime? I want to talk to him; he should be fighting for Spike, for UFC.”
Pro Elite’s Gary Shaw issued a “no comment” this morning regarding any contact they’ve had with Angle. Dixie Carter, President of TNA, who would not comment on Angle’s negotiations with any company but did confirm that the wrestler’s TNA contract allows him to do MMA, but only if TNA agrees it is best for him. Inquiries to the UFC were unanswered; while Angle says he’d need at least six to eight months of solid training before entering the cage or ring for a mixed martial arts debut.
“I can’t go in there with just my amateur wrestling skills,” said Angle. “I need to learn every facet of fighting, I need to learn how to protect myself with striking, submission holds, some jiu-jitsu and how to strike a bit better.”
Angle signed with Vince McMahon’s WWE in the summer of 1998, perfecting the persona of a “cocky and brash Olympic Gold Medalist” who was quick to point out his superiority over his fellow WWE competitors. The transition from amateur to pro wrestling was made almost seamlessly by Angle despite the drastically different demands. Angle was no longer trying to defeat opponents, but rather learn the art of “working with” athletic opponents to create a realistic presentation to audiences ranging from 3,000 to 65,000.
Angle brought his amateur acumen into professional wrestling and helped raise the in-ring product of the WWE into a style that was both applauded and respected by both peers and critics of professional wrestling.
With tension growing between Angle and the WWE last August, a rapidly detiorating Angle asked to be let of his five-year contract citing an inability to continue with the drastic schedule of close to 250 dates a year.
McMahon, believing that Angle would be taking a rumored deal with the PRIDE Fighting Championships, let Angle out of his deal and spun a story that Angle was fired rather than released. Angle shocked the entire wrestling world on September 24 when he announced he was signing with the Nashville, Tennessee-based TNA Wrestling venture, a distant rival to the WWE powerhouse.
Angle is 11 years removed from active competition and with five neck surgeries under his belt, coupled with the wear and tear on his body from seven years of professional wrestling, the risks of joining the MMA ranks is palpable. Angle seems undeterred, at least in mind and spirit.
“I know these fights could make or break me,” said Angle. “If I have a tremendous fight, it could make me shine even more and make me a bigger star, if I don’t, than it could have the opposite effect.”
Angle’s background in amateur wrestling might be his strongest asset for the move into combat sport’s next booming industry, with a particular role model fueling his interest.
“I’m looking towards Randy Couture, a good friend of mine and a wrestler,” Angle said. “He knows how to study opponents. Both him and I are not in our prime years, but can we win? Yes, we’re still able to go up against the best.”