View source for Kurt Angle

{{Infobox US topic
| topic = Kurt Angle
| image = Kurt_Angle_2023.png
| caption = Kurt Angle in 2023
| category = Pop culture
}}
'''Kurt Angle''' is a retired American professional wrestler, Olympic gold medalist, and WWE Hall of Famer. Known for his incredible athleticism, technical skill, and natural charisma, Angle is widely considered one of the best all-around performers in wrestling history.

== Early Life and Olympic Success ==
* Born on ''''''December 9, 1968'''''' in Mount Lebanon, Pennsylvania
* Won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the '''1996 Summer Olympics''', famously with a '''broken neck'''
* NCAA Division I wrestling champion at Clarion University

== WWE Career ==
* Signed with WWE (then WWF) in 1998
* Debuted in 1999 with a gimmick centered on his Olympic credentials and over-the-top patriotism
* Quickly gained attention for combining '''elite mat wrestling''' with '''comedic timing''' and '''intensity'''
* Known for shouting “It’s true! It’s true!” and fans chanting “You suck!” during his entrance (affectionately)

== Key Achievements ==
* '''6-time WWE World Champion'''
* '''1-time WCW Champion''' (during the Invasion angle)
* '''Intercontinental Champion'''
* '''European Champion'''
* '''Tag Team Champion'''
* '''King of the Ring''' (2000)
* Headlined multiple [[WrestleMania]] events
* Inducted into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]] in 2017

== Wrestling Style ==
* Master of suplexes, takedowns, and submission holds
* Signature moves:
  - '''Angle Slam'''
  - '''Ankle Lock'''
* Could seamlessly switch between comedic and serious roles

== Post-WWE Career ==
* Competed in **TNA Wrestling (Impact Wrestling)** from 2006–2016
* Became one of TNA’s top stars, winning multiple championships and accolades
* Returned to WWE in 2017 as Hall of Fame inductee and later served as Raw General Manager

== Retirement ==
* Wrestled his final WWE match at '''WrestleMania 35''' in 2019 against Baron Corbin
* Remains involved with WWE through appearances, documentaries, and guest spots

== Personal Life ==
* Overcame addiction and injuries later in his career
* Now advocates for clean living, fitness, and youth sports
* Married with children; his niece is WWE star Gable Steveson’s real-life wrestling inspiration

== Legacy ==
* One of the rare wrestlers to successfully blend amateur wrestling with sports entertainment
* Respected by peers and fans for both in-ring excellence and storytelling ability
* Known as a “Wrestler’s Wrestler” and regarded as one of the best ever

== See Also ==
* [[WWE]]
* [[WWE Hall of Fame]]
* [[WrestleMania]]
* [[Shawn Michaels]]
* [[Brock Lesnar]]
* [[Professional wrestling]]