Kurt Angle
Statistics
Ring name(s)	Kurt Angle
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1]
Billed height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Billed weight	250 lb (110 kg) [2]
Born	December 9, 1968 (1968-12-09) (age 39) Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Resides	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Billed from	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania[2]
Trained by	Dave Schultz Dory Funk, Jr. Tom Prichard
Debut	1995

Kurt Steven Angle (born December 9, 1968) is an American professional wrestler and former Olympic amateur wrestler. He currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (2000x3008, 2292 KB) Summary Original Caption: Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Kurt Angle Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera... is the 343rd day of the year (344th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Mt. ... Pittsburgh redirects here. ... Dave Schultz (June 6, 1959 - January 26, 1996) was a champion wrestler. ... Dorrance Funk, Jr. ... Tom Prichard Tom Prichard is an American professional wrestler and former World Wrestling Entertainment road agent and talent scout. ... is the 343rd day of the year (344th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the NES video game, see Pro Wrestling (video game). ... The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... FILA Greatest Wrestler of 20th Century (Greco-Roman) Alexander Karelin throws Olympian Jeff Blatnick with his Karelin Lift. Amateur wrestling is the most widespread form of sport wrestling. ... Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and his father Jerry Jarrett in May 2002. ...

Angle was involved in amateur wrestling during both high school and college. In college, he won numerous accolades, including being a two-time National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I champion.^[3][4] After graduating, he won the 1995 World Championship tournament.^[3] Angle then competed in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, where he won a gold medal in heavyweight freestyle wrestling.^[4][5] NCAA redirects here. ... The 1996 Summer h Olympics, formally known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and informally known as the Centennial Olympics, were held in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. ... Atlanta redirects here. ... Gold Medal is an album by American band The Donnas, released in 2004. ... This article is about freestyle wrestling. ...

Initially turning down an offer to join the World Wrestling Federation (WWF),^[4] Angle signed a multi-year contract with the company in 1998. His first big push in the company was in February 2000 when he held both the European Championship and Intercontinental Championship.^[6] Not long after, Angle began pursuing the WWF Championship. He continued to be a part of main event matches until August 2006, when Angle was granted a release from his contract.^[7] Throughout his tenure in the company, he was a WCW United States Champion,^[8] WCW World Heavyweight Champion,^[9] WWE Tag Team Champion,^[10] four-time WWF/E Champion,^[11] WWF European Champion,^[12] WWF Hardcore Champion,^[13] WWF Intercontinental Champion,^[14] and World Heavyweight Champion.^[15] In addition, he was the winner of the King of the Ring tournament in 2000,^[16] the tenth Triple Crown Champion, and the fourth Grand Slam Champion. World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... The WWE European Championship is an inactive title competed for in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Intercontinental Championship is a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... The World Championship Wrestling (WCW) World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world championship in World Championship Wrestling. ... This article is about the tag team championship that is currently defended on the SmackDown! brand of WWE. For the original WWE Tag Team Championship that is currently defended on the RAW brand, see World Tag Team Championship (WWE). ... The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... World Wrestling Entertainments Hardcore Championship was a championship defended under hardcore rules: No Disqualifications, meaning all weapons and interference are legal. ... The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... King of the Ring is an annual World Wrestling Entertainment tournament held from 1985 to 2002. ... This article deals with the achievement as understood in professional wrestling in the United States. ... A Grand Slam Champion in professional wrestling is a distinction made to a professional wrestler who has won all of the major titles in a promotion. ...

After leaving WWE, Angle joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he became the second wrestler in TNA to win that company's Triple Crown; and the first man to hold all three TNA championships simultaneously. While in TNA, his real-life wife Karen began accompanying him to the ring and playing a part in his on-screen storylines. Angle has also made appearances for New Japan Pro Wrestling and Inoki Genome Federation, where he is the former IWGP Third Belt Champion. He is also the only person to win the WWE Championship, the World Heavyweight Championship, the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, and the IWGP Third Belt Championship. This article deals with the achievement as understood in professional wrestling in the United States. ... The WWE Championship belt, an example of a championship belt in professional wrestling. ... Kurt Steven Angle (born December 9, 1968 in Mt. ... New Japan Pro Wrestling (新日本プロレス, shin nihon puroresu) is a major professional wrestling federation in Japan, founded by Antonio Inoki in 1972. ... Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) is a professional wrestling promotion in Japan founded by Antonio Inoki in 2007. ... Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) is a professional wrestling promotion in Japan founded by Antonio Inoki in 2007. ... The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... The World Championship Wrestling (WCW) World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world championship in World Championship Wrestling. ... The Total Nonstop Action (TNA) World Heavyweight Championship is the primary professional wrestling championship in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. ... Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) is a professional wrestling promotion in Japan founded by Antonio Inoki in 2007. ...

Amateur career

Kurt started amateur wrestling at the age of six.^[17] Angle attended Mt. Lebanon High School,^[18] where he won varsity letters in football and wrestling and was an All-State linebacker.^[19][18][20] He went undefeated on the freshman wrestling team at Mt. Lebanon High and qualified for the state wrestling tournament his sophomore year.^[18] Angle also placed third in the state wrestling tournament as a junior and was the 1987 Pennsylvania State Wrestling Champion as a senior. This article is about freestyle wrestling. ... The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... The 1996 Summer h Olympics, formally known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and informally known as the Centennial Olympics, were held in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. ... Final results for the Wrestling competition at the 1996 Summer Olympics. ... Atlanta redirects here. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... For the mixed martial arts division of the same name, see Heavyweight (MMA). ... For other uses, see Moscow (disambiguation). ... For the mixed martial arts division of the same name, see Heavyweight (MMA). ... Chattanooga redirects here. ... For other uses of terms redirecting here, see US (disambiguation), USA (disambiguation), and United States (disambiguation) Motto In God We Trust(since 1956) (From Many, One; Latin, traditional) Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City National language English (de facto)1 Demonym American... For the mixed martial arts division of the same name, see Heavyweight (MMA). ... Mt. ... A varsity letter (or monogram) is an award earned in the United States by regular participation or excellence in a school sport. ... United States simply as football, is a competitive team sport that is both fast-paced and strategic. ... This article is about scholastic wrestling. ... This article relates to sports. ...

Upon graduating from high school, Angle attended the Clarion University of Pennsylvania, where he continued to wrestle at an amateur level.^[21] He was a two-time National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I champion,^[3] national runner-up in 1991, and a 3-time NCAA Division I All-American. In addition, Angle was the 1987 USA Junior Freestyle champion, a 2-time USA Senior Freestyle champion, and the 1988 USA International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles Junior World Freestyle champion.^[4] Clarion University of Pennsylvania is a liberal arts university in Clarion, Pennsylvania, and one of fourteen universities of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). ... This article is about collegiate wrestling. ... NCAA redirects here. ... An All-America team is a sports team composed of star players. ... The International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles, also known in French as Fédération Internationale des Luttes Associées (FILA), is an international wrestling federation that holds events around the world. ...

After graduating from college, Angle continued to wrestle. In 1995, he won a gold medal at the World Championships in Atlanta, Georgia.^[3] Following this victory, Angle began preparing for the 1996 Summer Olympics under Dave Schultz at the Pennsylvanian Foxcatcher Club,^[22] training between eight and ten hours a day.^[23] In January 1996, not long after Angle began training at the club, Schultz was murdered by John Eleuthère du Pont, the sponsor of Schultz's team of Olympic prospectives.^[24][25][26] As a result, Angle quit John Eleuthère du Pont's team, searched for new sponsors, and joined the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club in Schultz's memory.^[27] Atlanta redirects here. ... The 1996 Summer h Olympics, formally known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and informally known as the Centennial Olympics, were held in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. ... David L. Schultz (June 6, 1959 - January 26, 1996) was an Olympic and World champion freestyle wrestler. ... John Eleuthère du Pont (born c. ...

Angle faced further hardships while taking part in the 1996 Olympic Trials, when he suffered a severe neck injury, fracturing two of his cervical vertebrae,^[28] herniating two discs, and pulling four muscles. Nonetheless, Angle won the trials and then spent the subsequent five months resting and rehabilitating. By the Olympics, Angle was able to compete, albeit with several pain-reducing injections in his neck.^[3] The injury led to Angle's future claim of having won his Olympic gold medal "with a broken freakin' neck." In the fall of 2006, Angle stated that he temporarily became addicted to the analgesic Vicodin after breaking his neck.^[29] In vertebrates, cervical vertebrae (singular: vertebra) are those vertebrae immediately behind (caudal to) the skull. ... Look up hernia in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Intervertebral discs lie in between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. ... An analgesic (colloquially known as a painkiller) is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain (achieve analgesia). ... Two variations of Vicodin, with different amounts of hydrocodone / paracetamol (acetaminophen) in each Vicodin is a trademarked brand of narcotic analgesics (painkillers) containing hydrocodone and paracetamol (acetaminophen). ...

He won his gold medal in the heavyweight (90-100 kg; 198-220 lb) weight class,^[4] defeating the Iranian Abbas Jadidi by officials' decision after the competitors wrestled to an eight minute, one-one draw. The bout saw Jadidi earn a point after two minutes and 46 seconds by turning Angle, and Angle earning a point of his own with a takedown after three minutes and eleven seconds. The officials' decision was protested by Jadidi.^[5] Abbas Jadidi (born January 13, 1969) is an Iranian wrestler who competed in the Freestyle Heavyweight (90-100 kg) category at the 1996 Summer Olympics, losing controversially to Kurt Angle and winning the silver medal. ... A takedown is a martial arts and combat sports term for a technique that involves off-balancing an opponent and forcing him or her to the ground, typically with the combatant performing the takedown landing on top. ...

Shortly after his victory, Angle turned down a contract with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF).^[4][30] In the same year, he became a marketing representative for Protos Foods, the manufacturers of OSTRIM, an ostrich meat based foodstuff.^[24][30] World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ... Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 Distribution of Ostriches. ...

Professional wrestling career

Extreme Championship Wrestling (1996)

On October 26, 1996, Angle was convinced by Shane Douglas to attend the taping of an Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) event named High Incident.^[4] He provided guest commentary during a match between Taz and Little Guido, but left the building after Raven "crucified" The Sandman by attaching him to a cross using barbed wire.^[31] Angle, shocked by the controversial imagery and afraid that his career prospects would be damaged if he was associated with the incident, threatened to sue ECW owner Paul Heyman if he was shown on television in the same broadcast as the stunt.^[4] is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... Troy Shane Martin (born November 21, 1964) is an American semi-retired professional wrestler who is better known by his ring name, Shane Douglas. ... This article is about the independent promotion from 1992-2001. ... Peter Senerchia (born October 11, 1967),[2] is a retired American professional wrestler best known by his ring name Tazz, (originally Tazmaniac and later shortened to simply Taz). ... James Maritato[1] (born March 12, 1972 in Howard Beach, New York) better known by the ring names Little Guido Maritato and Nunzio, is an Sicilian-American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its ECW brand. ... Scott Anthony Levy (born September 8, 1964) better known by his ring name Raven, is an American professional wrestler. ... For other uses, see Crucifixion (disambiguation). ... James (Jim) Fullington (born June 16, 1963) better known by his ring name The Sandman, is an American professional wrestler, best known for his career with Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), where he was dubbed The Hardcore Icon. ... A reliquary in the form of an ornate Christian Cross Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations · Other religions Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Luther Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Archbishop of Canterbury · Catholic Pope... Typical modern agricultural barbed wire. ... Civil action redirects here. ... Paul Heyman (born September 11, 1965 in Scarsdale, New York) is a professional wrestling manager, on-air talent, and former promoter formerly employed by World Wrestling Entertainment. ...

In 1997, following the incident, Angle worked for a year as a sportscaster on Pittsburgh's local FOX affiliate WPGH-TV.^[32][33] He also shot a commercial for local pizza chain Pizza Outlet. American Sportscasters A sportscaster, sports announcer, or sports commentator is a type of journalist on radio or television who specializes in reporting or commenting on sports events. ... FOX redirects here. ... WPGH-TV FOX53 is the FOX television affiliate broadcasting in Pittsburgh. ... Pepperoni is one of the most popular toppings on American pizzas. ... Vocelli Pizza (formerly Pizza Outlet) is a pizzeria based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. ...

World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment

1998–2000

In October 1998, Kurt Angle signed a eight-year contract with the World Wrestling Federation. He was assigned to the Power Pro Wrestling developmental territory in Memphis, Tennessee, where he began training. Angle's first appearance on WWF television was on the March 7, 1999 episode of Sunday Night Heat, where he took part in an angle with Tiger Ali Singh.^[34]. This angle involved Singh paying him money to blow his nose on the American flag. Angle refused to do so and fought Singh off instead. His first official WWF match was a dark match victory over Brian Christopher on April 11, 1999. In the following months, he wrestled in house shows and other dark matches in preparation for his televised debut.^[34] For other uses, see Memphis (disambiguation). ... is the 66th day of the year (67th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... WWE Heat (formerly known as WWE Sunday Night Heat and capitalized as WWE HEAT) is a professional wrestling show for World Wrestling Entertainment, showcasing talent from the Raw roster with lower-card matches. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... Gurjit Singh Hans (born March 9, 1971 in Toronto, Ontario) is an Indo-Canadian former professional wrestler best known as Tiger Ali Singh. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... Brian Christopher Lawler (born January 10, 1972 in Memphis, Tennessee) is a professional wrestler currently performing for Memphis Wrestling and other independent promotions, and the son of professional wrestling legend Jerry The King Lawler. ... is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... WWE RAW Brand house show from the Continental Airlines Arena on December 28, 2006 A house show is a professional wrestling show run by a major promotion (such as WWE or TNA), that is not televised or taped. ...

After several weeks of vignettes, Angle made his in-ring debut on November 14, 1999 at the Survivor Series, defeating Shawn Stasiak.^[35] In his initial push, he remained undefeated for several weeks, eventually losing to the debuting Tazz at the Royal Rumble.^[6] Angle was booked to win both the WWF European Championship and WWF Intercontinental Championship in February 2000,^[6] billing himself as the "Eurocontinental Champion". He dropped both of his titles without ever conceding a fall in a two falls Triple Threat match with Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 2000; the match had been agreed to on Angle's behalf by his mentor, Bob Backlund.^[6] Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... Survivor Series 1999 was the thirteenth annual Survivor Series pay-per-view professional wrestling event for the World Wrestling Federation. ... Dr. Shawn Stasiak (born Shawn Stipich on July 21, 1970 in Hayward, California) is a Canadian chiropractor and semi-retired professional wrestler. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... Peter Senerchia (born October 11, 1967),[2] is a retired American professional wrestler best known by his ring name Tazz, (originally Tazmaniac and later shortened to simply Taz). ... Royal Rumble 2000 was the thirteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... The WWE European Championship is an inactive title competed for in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Intercontinental Championship is a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... A bloodied Kane inside a current style WWE cage. ... Christopher Michael Benoit (IPA: ) (May 21, 1967 – June 24, 2007) was a Canadian professional wrestler who wrestled for Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, and World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Christopher Keith Irvine (born November 9, 1970), better known by the ring name Chris Jericho, is an American-Canadian actor, radio host, rock musician, and professional wrestler. ... This article is about the professional wrestling pay-per-view event. ... Robert Louis Backlund (b. ...

Throughout mid-2000, Angle and Edge and Christian ("Team ECK") feuded with Too Cool and Rikishi, with Angle defeating Rikishi in the finals of the King of the Ring tournament, which he was booked to win.^[16] He went on to feud with Triple H after a love triangle between Angle, Triple H, and Triple H's wife Stephanie developed. As part of the storyline, he lost to Triple H at Unforgiven.^[16] Following his feud with Triple H, Angle received another push and began pursuing the WWF Championship, defeating The Rock at No Mercy.^[16] Angle retained the WWF Championship for the rest of the year in matches with The Undertaker at Survivor Series and in a six way Hell in a Cell match at Armageddon.^[36] Edge and Christian (E&C) is a former tag team of on-screen brothers made of real life best friends Edge (Adam Copeland) and Christian (Jason Reso), who wrestled in the World Wrestling Federation and the Canadian independent circuit. ... Team ECK later known as Team RECK, was a World Wrestling Federation (WWF) heel stable consisting of Kurt Angle, Edge and Christian, and Rhyno. ... A professional wrestling feud is a staged disagreement between two wrestlers or factions of wrestlers over a purported slight or insult. ... Too Cool was a professional wrestling tag team and stable most notably active in the World Wrestling Federation between 1999 and 2001 and for a short time in 2004. ... Solofa Fatu, Jr. ... King of the Ring is an annual World Wrestling Entertainment tournament held from 1985 to 2002. ... Paul Michael Levesque[4] (born July 27, 1969)[4] is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of his former Hunter Hearst Helmsley moniker. ... Not to be confused with Triangular theory of love. ... Stephanie Marie McMahon-Levesque[1] (born September 24, 1976) better known by her maiden name Stephanie McMahon, is World Wrestling Entertainments Executive Vice President of Talent and Creative Writing. ... Unforgiven is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment, which has been held in September since the 1999 edition. ... The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Dwayne Douglas Johnson[6] (born May 2, 1972)[4], better known by his former ring name The Rock, is an American actor and former professional wrestler. ... This article is about the professional wrestling pay-per-view event. ... For the Combichrist song, see Everybody Hates You Mark Calaway (born March 24, 1965[2][3]) is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name The Undertaker. ... Survivor Series 2000 was the fourteenth annual Survivor Series pay-per-view professional wrestling event for the World Wrestling Federation. ... Hell in a Cell (sometimes referred to as Hell in the Cell) is a type of professional wrestling match seen in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in which the ring and ringside area are surrounded by a roofed steel cell which stands 16 feet (5 meters), or, more recently, 20 feet... Armageddon is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. ...

2001–2002

Angle held the WWF Championship for almost four months, losing it to The Rock at No Way Out in February 2001. He then feuded with Chris Benoit, whom he defeated at WrestleMania X-Seven but lost to at Backlash in an Ultimate Submission Match; Benoit defeated Angle four falls to three in sudden-death overtime. Continuing the feud, Angle again defeated Benoit in a Two out of three falls match at Judgment Day. Benoit pinned Angle after an Angle Slam in a "Pinfalls Only" fall, and then Angle made Benoit submit with the Ankle Lock in the "Submissions Only" fall. Angle won the third fall, a Ladder match, with the help of Edge and Christian. No Way Out is a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). ... Christopher Michael Benoit (IPA: ) (May 21, 1967 – June 24, 2007) was a Canadian professional wrestler who wrestled for Extreme Championship Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, and World Wrestling Entertainment. ... WrestleMania X-Seven was the seventeenth annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). ... Backlash is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment, which started in 1999 and is held normally in April (with the exception of 2005). ... An Ironman match is a professional wrestling match that is forced to go a set time limit. ... In professional wrestling, a two out of three falls match, or a best of three falls match, is a series of matches (often between two wrestlers or two teams of wrestlers), in which wrestlers attempt to win the majority of matches. ... Judgment Day is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Body Slam redirects here. ... Professional wrestling holds include a number of set moves and pins used by competitors to immobilize their opponents or lead to a submission. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Edge and Christian (E&C) is a former tag team of on-screen brothers made of real life best friends Edge (Adam Copeland) and Christian (Jason Reso), who wrestled in the World Wrestling Federation and the Canadian independent circuit. ...

When WCW (purchased by the WWF in early 2000) and ECW formed The Alliance and invaded the WWF in mid-2001, Kurt turned face and began an angle where he joined forces with WWF Champion Steve Austin to repel them. At Invasion, Angle and Austin captained a team of five WWF superstars against five handpicked members of the Alliance. As part of the angle, Team WWF lost to Team Alliance when Austin turned on his team to join the Alliance. At the close of the match, Austin nailed Angle with a Stone Cold Stunner, causing him to get pinned by the other team.^[37] After winning and losing the WCW World Heavyweight Championship,^[38][39] WCW United States Championship,^[40][41] and WWF Hardcore Championship in matches with Alliance members,^[42] Angle was booked to defeat Austin in a SummerSlam rematch for his second WWF Championship at Unforgiven.^[43] He dropped the title back to Austin on the October 8, 2001 episode of Raw when WWF Commissioner William Regal joined the Alliance and cost Angle the match.^[44] As part of the storyline, Angle subsequently joined the Alliance himself,^[45] but ultimately returned to the WWF by enabling The Rock to defeat Austin in a "winner takes all" bout between the WWF and The Alliance at Survivor Series.^[43] For the Australian professional wrestling promotion, see World Championship Wrestling (Australia). ... This article is about the storyline. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... Steven James Williams (born Steven Anderson on December 18, 1964)[2] better known by his ring name Stone Cold Steve Austin, is an American actor and former professional wrestler. ... Invasion (sometimes typeset InVasion or alternatively billed as InVasion: WCW/ECW vs. ... A stunner is a common term in professional wrestling referring to the sitout three-quarter facelock jawbreaker maneuver. ... The World Championship Wrestling (WCW) World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world championship in World Championship Wrestling. ... The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... World Wrestling Entertainments Hardcore Championship was a championship defended under hardcore rules: No Disqualifications, meaning all weapons and interference are legal. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... Unforgiven is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment, which has been held in September since the 1999 edition. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... WWE Raw is the Monday night professional wrestling television program for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and is the primary broadcast of the RAW brand. ... Darren Kenneth Matthews[1] (born May 10, 1968) better known by his ring name William Regal, is an English professional wrestler, currently signed to the World Wrestling Entertainment, on its RAW brand. ... Survivor Series 2001 was the fifteenth annual Survivor Series pay-per-view professional wrestling event produced by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). ...

After dropping the US Championship to Edge, the duo were booked into a lengthy feud. During this feud, Edge started the "you suck" chants every time Kurt Angle entered a WWE ring, usually in tune with Angle's entrance music. This proved significant because the chants followed Angle throughout the rest of his WWE career. In the course of the feud, Angle lost a "hair versus hair" match to Edge at Judgment Day, and his head was shaved bald.^[46] Following the legitimate loss of his hair, Angle's storyline called for him to wear a wig and insult bald people,^[47] leading to a feud with Hulk Hogan, who stripped Angle of his wig.^[48] Angle later scored a submission victory over Hogan at King of the Ring.^[49] The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Adam Joseph Copeland (born October 30, 1973 in Orangeville, Ontario),[5] better known by his ring name Edge, is a Canadian professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment and wrestling on the SmackDown! brand. ... Judgment Day is an annual professional wrestling pay-per-view produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. ... -1... A wig or toupee is a head of hair - human, horse-hair or synthetic - worn on the head for fashion or various other aesthetic and stylistic reasons, including cultural and religious observance. ... Terrence Gene Bollea (born on August 11, 1953) is an American actor and semi-retired professional wrestler better known by his ring name Hulk Hogan. ... King of the Ring is an annual World Wrestling Entertainment tournament held from 1985 to 2002. ...

In October 2002, Angle became the fourth WWE Grand Slam Champion when he was booked to win the WWE Tag Team Championship with Chris Benoit.^[50] After dropping the titles to Edge and Rey Mysterio on an edition of SmackDown!,^[51] Angle won his third WWE Championship at Armageddon, defeating The Big Show, with the help of Brock Lesnar.^[52] While still in his third reign, Angle began a new storyline when he gained the services of manager Paul Heyman and "Team Angle" (Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin).^[53] A Grand Slam Champion in professional wrestling is a distinction made to a professional wrestler who has won all of the major titles in a promotion. ... This article is about the tag team championship that is currently defended on the SmackDown! brand of WWE. For the original WWE Tag Team Championship that is currently defended on the RAW brand, see World Tag Team Championship (WWE). ... Óscar Gutiérrez Rubio, better known by his ring names Rey Misterio, Jr. ... For the video game series based on the show, see WWE SmackDown! (video game series). ... -1... Brock Edward Lesnar[4] (born July 12, 1977[3]) is an American mixed martial artist, former professional and amateur wrestler. ... In professional wrestling, a manager is a character who is paired with a wrestler. ... Paul Heyman (born September 11, 1965 in Scarsdale, New York) is a professional wrestling manager, on-air talent, and former promoter formerly employed by World Wrestling Entertainment. ... The Worlds Greatest Tag Team is a professional wrestling tag team currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its RAW brand. ... This article is about the professional wrestler. ... Shelton Benjamin[2] (born July 9, 1975)[2] is an American professional wrestler and former amateur wrestler signed to World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) working on its RAW brand as one half of The Worlds Greatest Tag Team with Charlie Haas. ...

2003–2004

Angle and Brock Lesnar after their WWE Championship title match at WrestleMania XIX.

He then began feuding with Brock Lesnar, who had won the most recent Royal Rumble match,^[54] after Lesnar claimed to be the new top superstar on SmackDown!. The match between Lesnar and Angle going into WrestleMania XIX marked the first time in WWE history that two accomplished amateur wrestlers met in a ring. Angle dropped the WWE Championship in the main event of WrestleMania XIX to Lesnar, who was receiving a major push at the time.^[55] Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 510 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (970 × 1141 pixel, file size: 203 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle at WrestleMania XIX, Safeco Field Seattle, WA March 30, 2003. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 510 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (970 × 1141 pixel, file size: 203 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle at WrestleMania XIX, Safeco Field Seattle, WA March 30, 2003. ... Brock Edward Lesnar[4] (born July 12, 1977[3]) is an American mixed martial artist, former professional and amateur wrestler. ... The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... This article is about the professional wrestling pay-per-view event. ... Brock Edward Lesnar[4] (born July 12, 1977[3]) is an American mixed martial artist, former professional and amateur wrestler. ... This article is about the professional wrestling pay-per-view event. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ...

On April 11, 2003, Angle underwent neck surgery performed by Dr. Hai-Dong Jho to repair nerve and spinal damage, calcium buildup, bone spurs, and intervertebral disc problems. Rather than have Jho remove the afflicted discs and fuse his vertebrae together, Angle opted for a less conventional surgery where Jho removed only the spurs and selected portions of the discs. The alternative surgery reduced Angle's rehabilitation time from one year to three months.^[56] is the 101st day of the year (102nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Calcium (disambiguation). ... Bone spurs, also known as osteophytes, are bony projections that form along joints. ... Intervertebral discs lie in between adjacent vertebrae in the spine. ... A diagram of a thoracic vertebra. ...

Shortly after returning, Angle defeated Brock Lesnar and Big Show in a Triple Threat match at Vengeance to regain the WWE Championship.^[57] After retaining the title in a singles bout with Lesnar at SummerSlam, he dropped the title to Lesnar in an Iron Man match on an episode of SmackDown!.^[58][59] Angle then formed a five-man team to rival Lesnar's team at the Survivor Series 2003, with Angle's team coming out victorious at the pay-per-view.^[60] SummerSlam (2003) was the sixteenth annual SummerSlam professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). ... An Ironman match is a professional wrestling match that is forced to go a set time limit. ... Survivor Series (2003) was the seventeenth annual Survivor Series professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). ...

Following WrestleMania XX, Angle began to once again suffer from legitimate neck problems.^[61] As a response, he was made the on-screen General Manager of SmackDown!,^[62] with his absence from the ring attributed to injuries suffered after Big Show chokeslammed him off a ledge.^[63] Angle feuded with Eddie Guerrero throughout 2004 for the WWE Championship. He cost Guerrero the championship against John "Bradshaw" Layfield in a Texas Bull Rope match at The Great American Bash by participating in the worked finish; Angle came down to the ring and showed a replay where JBL's shoulder hit the corner pad before Guerrero's hand.^[64] Angle was later kayfabe fired by Vince McMahon as General Manager in July 2004.^[65] // This is a list of authority figures, people who have (kayfabe) power, in selective professional wrestling promotions or brands within North America. ... Big Show prepairing to give JBL a Chokeslam A chokeslam (Japanese: nodowa otoshi) refers to a type of body slam in professional wrestling in which the wrestler grasps their opponents neck, lifts them up, and slams them to the mat. ... Eduardo Eddie Gory Guerrero Llanes (October 9, 1967 — November 13, 2005) better known as Eddie Guerrero, was a Mexican-American professional wrestler born into a legendary Mexican wrestling family. ... The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... “John Hawk” redirects here. ... A bloodied Kane inside a current style WWE cage. ... This article is about the professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Vincent Kennedy McMahon (born August 25, 1945) is an American wrestling promoter, occasional professional wrestler, on-screen personality, former play-by-play announcer, and film producer. ...

In November 2004, Angle initiated the Kurt Angle Invitational, a worked weekly segment where "hometown heroes" (known as plants) challenged him to a match, with Angle promising to give his Olympic gold medal to the first person to last more than three minutes in the ring with him.^[66] The Invitational was won by Eugene in July 2005 starting a new angle for both men.^[67] As a result, Angle faced Eugene at SummerSlam, defeating him by making him tap out to the ankle lock. The crowd, however, did not react well to this victory, as Angle had pretended to offer a microphone to the challenger, but then brutally slammed it into the young man's face, stunning him, and allowing Kurt to finish him off with practically no challenge. Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... Nicholas David Dinsmore (born December 17, 1975 in Jeffersonville, Indiana), is an American professional wrestler who is best known for his gimmick of Eugene in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... SummerSlam 2005 was the eighteenth annual SummerSlam professional wrestling pay-per-view event from World Wrestling Entertainment. ...

On the November 4, 2004, episode of SmackDown!, at the Savvis Center in St. Louis, Missouri, during Tough Enough, Angle challenged the finalists through a Squat thrust competition. The winner was Chris Nawrocki, and as part of the Kurt Angle Invitational, the prize Nawrocki won was a match against Angle. After Angle defeated Nawrocki, Angle asked if anyone else wanted to try. Daniel Puder, an American mixed martial artist, raised his hand and challenged Angle. During the match, Angle and Puder wrestled for position before Angle took Puder down, in the process, Puder locked Angle in a real submission hold, a Kimura. With Puder on his back, one of two referees in the ring, Jimmy Corderas, quickly counted three to end the bout, but some fans observed that during the pin, Puder's shoulders were not on the mat. Puder has claimed he would have snapped Angle's arm on national television, if Corderas had not ended the match.^[68][69][70] is the 308th day of the year (309th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the video game series based on the show, see WWE SmackDown! (video game series). ... Scottrade Center Scottrade Center (formerly Kiel Center and Savvis Center) is an arena located in downtown St. ... St. ... WWE Tough Enough (originally known as WWF Tough Enough) was a reality television show produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and MTV wherein participants underwent professional wrestling training and competed for a contract with WWE. There were two winners per season for the first three seasons but only a single... A squat thrust is an exercise. ... WWE Tough Enough (originally known as WWF Tough Enough) was a reality television show produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and MTV wherein participants underwent professional wrestling training and competed for a contract with WWE. There were two winners per season for the first three seasons but only a single... Daniel Puder (born October 9, 1981 in Cupertino, California) is an American mixed martial artist and professional wrestler, best known for his stint in World Wrestling Entertainment and its developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling. ... Mixed martial arts or MMA is a term for the combat sport in which two competitors attempt to achieve dominance over one another by utilizing three general tactics: striking, finishing holds, and control. ... In professional wrestling, a shoot refers to any unplanned event – that is, the event is real and not staged. ... Two wrestlers clinching. ... The juji-gatame armbar (see below) is one of the most effective and versatile joint locks. ... A professional wrestling referee is the official figure that makes sure that wrestling matches move smoothly in an attempt to maintain kayfabe. ...

2005–2006

Kurt Angle in the ring during SummerSlam in 2005.

In January 2005, Angle took part in the Royal Rumble, but was eliminated by Shawn Michaels, who he returned to the ring to eliminate in retaliation.^[71] Angle then became a storyline heel, and after mocking Michaels by defeating his former tag team partner, Marty Jannetty,^[72] and attacking former manager, Sherri Martel,^[73] Angle defeated Michaels in an interpromotional match, which won Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) Match of the Year at WrestleMania 21.^[71] He continued to storyline feud with Michaels upon being drafted from SmackDown! to Raw in June 2005,^[74] losing to Michaels at Vengeance.^[75] Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 625 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1683 × 1615 pixel, file size: 850 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) (All user names refer to en. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 625 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1683 × 1615 pixel, file size: 850 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) (All user names refer to en. ... SummerSlam 2005 was the eighteenth annual SummerSlam professional wrestling pay-per-view event from World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Royal Rumble 2005 was the eighteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event from World Wrestling Entertainment. ... Michael Shawn Hickenbottom (born July 22, 1965) is an American professional wrestler, better known by the ring name Shawn Michaels. ... In professional wrestling, a heel is a villain character. ... Marty Jannetty (born on February 3, 1962 in Columbus, Georgia) is an American professional wrestler. ... Sherri Martel-Schrull (born Sherri Russell)[1] (February 8, 1958 – June 15, 2007) was an American professional wrestler and valet, better known by her ring name, Sensational Sherri. ... Pro Wrestling Illustrated (PWI) is a professional wrestling magazine. ... This article is about the professional wrestling pay-per-view event. ... The World Wrestling Entertainment Brand Extension was a device first used in 2002 by said professional wrestling organization as a means of providing separate brands of wrestling through its two top shows, RAW and SmackDown!, with the addition of ECW in 2006. ...

Angle returned to the SmackDown! brand in January 2006, where he was pushed to gain the vacant World Heavyweight Championship in a twenty man battle royal, turning face in the process.^[76][77] He retained the title in bouts with Mark Henry at the Royal Rumble and The Undertaker at No Way Out,^[78] before dropping it to Rey Mysterio in a Triple Threat match, which also included Randy Orton, at WrestleMania 22.^[79] Professional wrestling has accrued a considerable amount of slang, in-references and jargon. ... The World Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling world championship in World Wrestling Entertainment. ... In professional wrestling, a battle royal (sometimes battle royale; plural battles royal) is a multi-competitor match in which wrestlers are eliminated from the match upon being thrown over the top rope and out of the ring, with both feet touching the floor of the venue. ... Mark Gordon Henry[1] (born June 12, 1971 in Silsbee, Texas) is an American professional wrestler currently signed to World Wrestling Entertainment performing on its SmackDown! brand. ... Royal Rumble 2006 was the nineteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). ... For the Combichrist song, see Everybody Hates You Mark