On Saturday, November 29, 2008 at 6:26 PM EST
Musings of a Mark #8: Kurt Angle, Your Olympic Hero
November 29, 2008
by Scott Webster of Wrestleview.com
So after a hard slog through my final assessments as a first year undergraduate student, it’s time to get back into wrestling. Rather than have some grand reason for choosing my column topic this week (such as a current argument on the boards, or recent developments in the industry), my choice was made purely on a whim.
With that unremarkable opening, here’s a set of reviews looking at Angle’s most notable matches in his rise to the WWF Championship in record fashion. Although I do believe Kurt Angle was at his best during 2002-03, I find that obnoxious, nerdy Kurt was appealing in his own right. He’s a twit, and he’s hilarious because of it. Or maybe I just relate to pretentious people …
Anyway, at times Angle’s year in 2000 reminds of CM Punk’s recent World Championship reign. It was surprising, perhaps before their time, but it’s interesting to look at how these performers grew under the pressure. Enjoy.
Intercontinental Championship:
Chris Jericho © w/ Chyna vs. Kurt Angle – No Way Out 2000
This match highlights what I appreciate about Kurt Angle’s early character work, his hypocrisy. It’s a theme that he maintained for much of his run in the WWF/E, and it makes for an entertaining heel character.
Angle has his three ‘I’s: Intensity, Intelligence and Integrity. And it’s that last one that sustains his appeal, how he puts over his moral principles and identifies himself as a model citizen, an ‘American Hero’ if you will, yet he feels justified in breaking the rules and utilising suspect methods. It makes the first right hand he throws mean something, as it represents his heel persona.
A solid mid-card bout to be viewed here. They perform a flying / grounded dynamic here, with some cool little moments thrown in there by Jericho. Angle grounds Y2J with some decently implemented arm work, which produces some good selling by the Canadian, particularly when he goes for the Double Powerbomb. We witness Angle’s hypocrisy when Chyna inadvertently gets injured, allowing the former Olympian to deck Jericho with the belt to win the gold.
Rating: **3/4 (GOOD)
Intercontinental and European Championship:
Kurt Angle © vs. Chris Jericho vs. Chris Benoit – WrestleMania 2000
I enjoy the premise here; both titles are on the line. And as expected, Angle loses both without being pinned. It suits his annoying personality, giving him reason to whine and preach in the months to come.
Unlike most WWF/E booked multi-man matches, there is no spot here that makes the match essentially a singles contest. The three performers interchange roles constantly, leading to a fast-paced match. The non-finisher submission holds were a bit weird - why would you attempt such moves when you have to grab a pin fall or submission in quick fashion? – but for the most part, these guys deliver a good match on a disappointing night.
Rating: *** (GOOD)
King of the Ring Final:
Kurt Angle vs. Rikishi – King of the Ting 2000
I adore how they actually placed the phrase ‘American Hero’ next to Angle’s name in the graphic that pops up during his entrance. It suits him well, as for the last couple of months Angle has been telling us how he’s a model citizen, and an ‘American Hero’ due to his efforts during the 1996 Olympics. A nice touch.
Nothing really impressive here, with sub-plots like Rikishi’s hurt arm and even their fatigue being largely ignored. The hypocrite angle is present, with Kurt immediately going for eye rakes and low blows, but there was not build towards it. All this match really resembles is a slug-fest, and considering who’s involved, that’s kind of disappointing.
Still, nothing overtly offensive to found but things do pick up for Kurt Angle in the coming months.
Rating: **1/2 (GOOD)
Kurt Angle vs. Undertaker – Fully Loaded 2000
From this point on, Kurt Angle begins to get more involved with the big boys of the company. Unfortunately, at this stage in his career where all he has achieved is mid-card status, I think Angle is a little out-classed here. The nature of this match really doesn’t help Angle’s case for being in the main-event mix either.
‘Taker essentially dominates Angle. It’s not a total squash, and therefore understandable considering Undertaker’s size and power advantage, as well as Angle’s cowardly characterisation, but it does serve to make Kurt Angle ultimately look out of the Dead Man’s league.
What I liked is how, when given the chance, Kurt Angle did conform to his prescribed character and utilised a ‘technical’ approach to downing the big man. I have noticed in many Angle matches, his tendency to use a slight brawling style. This is okay when the match demands it (No DQ, Street Fight, a feud based on hatred etc.) or when it emphasises his hypocrisy, but it shouldn’t take precedence over his ‘wrestling’ ability. That is what brought him to the dance, that’s what’ll keep him fighting.
Here, it’s the only thing giving Angle a shot at victory. Disappointing then, that this match is actually quite short and ‘Taker doesn’t really sell the damage well. These two have a slightly better match later on in the year.
Rating: *** (GOOD)
WWF Championship:
The Rock © vs. Triple H vs. Kurt Angle – SummerSlam 2000
WWF/E triple threat contests tend to be very formulaic in structure, often involving a spot that reduces the match to a singles encounter, until a return of the spot victim that leads into the finishing stretch. This performance is no different, but the structure suited the narrative, causing this to be much more satisfying than most multi-man main-events end up being.
And what a narrative it is, totally befitting of the double-standards of Kurt Angle. He presents himself as a model citizen and an ‘American Hero’, yet he is blatantly moving in on another man’s wife. Thus, not only is the narrative suitable for his characterisation, it also provides some interesting drama for this resultant match.
Triple H and Kurt Angle square off before The Rock even makes his entrance. This leads to the big spot of the match (prior to the match even beginning!) – Angle being Pedigreed through the announcer’s table by an irate Cerebral Assassin – born out of the intense rivalry these two men possess. Therefore, that aforementioned formulaic structure of the triple threat is actually quite effective in portrayal here, allowing a great storytelling moment.
The Rock and Triple H bash each other for a while, which has proved to be a reliable pairing throughout the early months of 2000. Despite suffering a legitimate concussion from the botched table spot (though no less effective), Angle exhibits great toughness in returning to fight on. Regardless, both Triple H and Kurt Angle are too distracted by each other to claim the WWF Championship, resulting in a fight between the two at the following pay-per-view.
Rating: ***3/4 (GREAT)
No Disqualifications:
Kurt Angle vs. Triple H (Mick Foley as Guest Referee) – Unforgiven 2000
Angle’s intensity began to pick up steam from here on out, with the success of this match showcasing his ability to work in a brawling environment. Despite losing, I feel as though his performance here gave the company confidence in his ability to headline events.
Triple H’s selling is fantastic, highlighting his damaged ribs in everything from his own moves (including having to do a one-armed Pedigree) to guiding Angle’s focused attack. The match was billed as a ‘fight’, and it delivered, though without forgetting who its characters were. Angle does brawl, but he does so without being ignorant of his ‘wrestling’ style. Check out the awesome overhead belly-to-belly spot to see what I mean.
He also frustrates The Game, using wrestling holds to ground a man bent on punishing him for forcing himself onto his wife. Not to mention, Angle is the one to use cheap tactics, once again referencing that ingrained hypocrisy within his persona.
The only problem I have is Foley’s presence. Is he really going to just let Triple H go, considering the sins he committed against Foley that very year? Remember the classic Street Fight and the bloody Hell in a Cell? I guess, had they booked Foley as biased, it would’ve ruined a very good match. Just nit-picking is all …
Rating: ***1/2 (VERY GOOD)
WWF Championship No Disqualifications
The Rock © vs. Kurt Angle – No Mercy 2000
I liked this, but the emphasis is on Stephanie McMahon rather than Kurt Angle. Considering this was his first WWF Championship win, I feel as though there should’ve been more effort to convey Angle’s journey and story. Instead, we are ‘treated’ to the narrative of Stephanie proving to her husband that she’s a valuable presence at ringside.
Don’t get me wrong, her role suits that of Angle’s characterisation. He’s a hypocrite after all, and shouldn’t be above utilising Stephanie’s help to secure the gold. I just think this match should’ve resembled the kind of story told at Unforgiven 2001, which highlighted Angle’s emotional sojourn to attain the title belt.
There’s no reference to Angle’s Olympic wrestling background here, Rock knows he’s fighting the odds (especially with a vindictive Stephanie close by), with the ‘No Disqualification’ stipulation granting Angle leeway in his methods of bringing the Great One down. Angle’s still a hypocrite though, low-blowing and cheaply fighting his way to the gold.
It’s in no way a bad performance in fact it’s quite an entertaining brawl. Several run-ins add to the drama, and the only technical fault I can find is in Angle’s selling of the leg damage. In other words, he forgot to sell it when running through his move set. All in all, still a darn good match to watch. I just feel Stephanie’s role took precedence over the importance of Angle actually winning the gold for the first time.
Rating: ***1/2 (VERY GOOD)
WWF Championship:
Kurt Angle © vs. Undertaker – Survivor Series 2000
Kurt Angle’s growing tendency to throw punches and kicks is explained here as a developing mean streak. Furthermore, the ‘American Hero’ is learning how to survive in the WWF/E environment, and for that to happen he can’t simply rely on his amateur wrestling past. That’s clear from his match at Fully Loaded 2000, where ‘wrestling’ ‘Taker really got him nowhere.
I enjoy how Angle’s antics evoke ‘Taker’s presence here. He stalls, he flees, and he punches himself out. But it doesn’t stop the Dead Man. Thus both the Dead Man’s intimidating persona and Kurt Angle’s overbearing hypocrisy are highlighted well during this match.
Unlike Fully Loaded 2000, Angle’s wrestling does benefit him here. In actuality, I would say this performance is Angle’s first great ‘working the limb’ routine. Sure, The Game’s selling the month previous made Kurt Angle look like a thousand-million bucks but the rib injury played towards Angle’s usual move set (a variety of suplex moves etc.). Here, Angle displays depth of knowledge in holds and moves, even whipping out a Figure Four around the ring post to effectively ground his larger opponent.
For some reason, ‘Taker decides to use an arm bar. But what astounds me is Angle tapping to the damn hold! Our WWF Champion, still trying to ascertain credibility amidst the main-event scene, is submitting to a freakin’ arm bar!! Of course, the match doesn’t end due to distraction caused by Edge and Christian, with the golden ending (the ol’ decoy switcheroo under the ring) playing up Angle’s cheap hypocrisy.
Rating: ***1/2 (VERY GOOD)
WWF Championship Hell in a Cell:
Kurt Angle © vs. The Rock vs. Undertaker vs. Triple H vs. Rikishi vs. Steve Austin – Armageddon 2000
This is a tragic misuse of the gimmick, but what a glorious clusterf*** it showcases. I can’t really go into depth looking at Angle’s performance, because quite frankly he wasn’t the focus here. That can be seen as a negative, but I don’t think so. It highlights the narrative of his unlikely overcoming the odds, prevailing in the middle the feuding main-event scene. Despite the cheapness of his ‘stolen’ victory, it’s a measure to giving his character credibility.
Now, screw the analysis. This was entertaining as hell, with Austin and The Game stealing the show with an intense brawl that lasts most of the match. There are some memorable spots (Rikishi falling off the cage anyone?), good drama (McMahon and his stooges attempting to destroy the cell) and in general total carnage.
A big bucket of fun, that serves to put over Kurt Angle in a big way.
Rating: ***1/2 (VERY GOOD)
WWF Championship:
Kurt Angle © vs. Triple H – Royal Rumble 2001
Amidst all the drama surrounding it (the feud between the female managers (Stephanie McMahon and Trish Stratus), and the Austin run-in), this was a good, physical match between Angle and The Game. They wrestled, they cast bombs and they belted each other with weapons. It really was a dramatic performance, with some good ‘wrestling’ sandwiched in the middle. Not unlike many of the good matches to be found from earlier this decade.
These two proved they can work a good brawl at Unforgiven 2000, now they show how to perform a ‘wrestling’ match. Triple H, in particular, dishes out a Figure Four and Indian Death Lock, whilst Angle displays a great repertoire of suplex moves to nail his opponent with. Of course instead of eternal headlocks and whatnot, we are treated with catfights, blood, steel chairs and the good ol’ run-in as well.
Unlike No Mercy 2000, where Stephanie’s face appeared more times than Kurt Angle’s during the match, the role of the managers here is a complementary plot rather than the focus. And in my opinion it’s much better for it. Everything flowed well, producing what is in my opinion Kurt Angle’s first great singles match.
Rating: ***3/4 (GREAT)
WWF Championship:
Kurt Angle © vs. The Rock – No Way Out 2001
“Tap out, or I’ll break your f****** ankle!”
Now that’s intensity. Unfortunately that was the best part of this performance, as the rest was quite bland. What was the point of having Big Show interfere? So he decks everyone … Apparently to send a message. Yet he’s currently in the Hardcore Championship scene, and wrestles Raven the next month. All it really achieved was a change in referee, and if that was the ultimate motive for the booking … Why not have Hebner officiate the match from the beginning?
Angle really doesn’t look like a ‘wrestler’ here, he knows he can’t beat The Rock in a slug-fest. That was highlighted prominently by the commentary team. Yet he feels quite content to throw punches, kicks, clotheslines etc. Rather than slow down The Rock (initially) with holds and suplex moves, Angle plays into The Rock’s smash mouth game. He does eventually ‘wrestle’ the Great One, leading to the aforementioned intense moment, but it’s a case of too little too late.
A weird match, but not terrible.
Rating: *** (GOOD)
So, in summary I think Kurt Angle’s rise to main-event status in 2000 was a triumph. With the benefit of having some great talent guide his development (to varying degrees of success), particularly The Game, but also ‘Taker and The Rock, Angle quickly became a buyable figure amidst the top of the company.
I’d recommend the Royal Rumble 2001 match above everything else, but in all honesty there is quite a bit of good stuff to be found from Kurt Angle during this time period. Not his greatest stretch of performances, but it’s easy to see why the company was so ready to throw him into the main-event scene.
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If any of you have some thoughts, feedback (positive or negative) or just in general want to rant about something professional wrestling-related (or not, I have been said to give great relationship advice as well), send a message to my email address below, and I promise to respond.
bobforwardsisbob@hotmail.com
Til next time,
Keep markin’.