Kurt Angle appeared on Wednesday’s Off The Top Rope segment on ESPN News to talk to Jonathan Coachman about his WWE Hall of Fame induction. Angle spoke about getting a call from Triple H last week and being asked if he would like to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Angle said that he was blown away by the news and that he was really surprised by it but honored.
Coachman asked about Angle’s departure from WWE in 2006, Angle said that he was banged up and had issues with taking painkillers. He noted that he just needed to get away and that he felt that he was a liability to Vince McMahon and WWE. He added that felt that it was the right thing to leave.
When asked about his relationship with McMahon, Angle stated that they didn’t talk for years but that now they have a great relationship now. He said that it was a mutual departure after he had a lot of fun with the company. He did admit that he misses WWE but that right now it’s the best thing for him to go into the Hall of Fame.
Coachman noted that Angle worked for a variety of different promotions and asked what was the biggest change for him as a wrestler. Angle said that he grew more as a wrestler and got better but noted that it would have been nice to perform for the WWE fans over the past ten years because he feels that he was in his prime at the time but that he cannot complain about his career in WWE. He said that he wasn’t planning to retire and doesn’t know if he will. He added that being inducted is the most important thing to him.
When asked about his battle with addiction and how it has changed him, Angle said that it made him a better man and that you learn to appreciate the finer things in life after pulling yourself out of a dark place. He noted that he is proud of what he has been able to do and wants to help those who are struggling with their addiction through his new Angle Strong initiative.
Coachman asked him about a possible in-ring WWE return, Angle said that he couldn’t say what he will do after the Hall of Fame ceremony but noted that he would like to wrestle for WWE. He added that he is focused on the Hall of Fame induction and will go from there.
