Kurt Angle is TNA's Second Hall-of-Famer

[It's Damn Real!]

And frankly, who better than Angle (sorry, channeling my inner Chris Kanyon there) to go in?

I got into it a bit with someone in the LD for the PPV last night, but while I still don't agree with the fact that TNA has a HOF despite only being an eleven-year old company, the fact they do is not changing, so it's pointless to continue debating the merit of the company having one. The burden shifts now to the merit of the inductees, and no one has more merit than Angle. Even Sting, and the Icon went in ahead of him (which I was fine with as well).

Fact is, for a company as young as they still are, the first few picks are going to still end up being active performers. There's no getting around this. I get that it kinda peeves people a bit, and that's fine, but again, they aren't going to bail on the Hall, so they may as well just make it work as best they can early on with still-active wrestlers. That means guys like Sting, Angle, Styles and Jarrett up front, with Nash, Hardy, Christian Cage and a whole lot more all available later on down the line. With only one inductee going in each year, there should be little to no issue moving forward, that is unless you're still hung up on the fact they have a Hall, in which case see above.

But wrapping this back up with a nice red, white and blue bow, major fucking congratualtions to Kurt Angle on the nomination. Whether he knew or not doesn't matter. He absolutely deserves it. He's the biggest free agent signing they've ever made, and the fact he's stuck by their side this long is a testament to exactly why he's going in and going in this early to boot. He's done everything anyone can possibly want to do in the company, and he's still ticking. Oh it's real...

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Only person who deserves an induction more then Kurt is Jeff Jarrett and with him and TNA reportedly on shakey terms this is the next best option, nobody made an impact coming to TNA like Kurt did, maybe asides AJ who has had as many memorable and great matches as Kurt has? Multiple time World Champion, Tag Team Champion, was at one stage the IWGP Heavyweight and TNA World Heavyweight Champion, has been inducted in countless wrestling hall of fames before this anyway so really there was nobody more deserving.

I hope Jarrett and TNA can work out whatever differences they have and he can go in next, if not him then I'd take AJ Styles or Hulk Hogan before him until shit can be resolved.

 

[LSN80]

As deserving an induction as there is. While Christian Cage may have been the first to "Cross The Line", Kurt Angle was truly the man who put TNA on the map. Angle has done everything there is to do in TNA, including holding every championship at the same time.

I don't know if Angle was aware he was being inducted, but he seemed genuinely surprised, and his speech was as classy of one as it gets. As a Pittsburgh guy, I've followed Angle from his gold medal years to today, and he's always been one of my favorites. He truly is a physical marvel and to do what he's done with all the physical problems he's had is truly remarkable. If there's anyone truly responsible for TNA getting a 2 hour time slot in prime time on Spike, it's him.

AJ Styles and Jeff Jarrett would also be fine choices, but AJ's career is far from over, and Jarrett and TNA seem to be on shaky terms. I'd go with Angle over either of them, but Jarrett has to be the guy next year. He may have booked it so, but he was the flag-bearer for the company during its early years. I'm no Jarrett fan, he's mediocre at best, but his contribution to TNA can't be underscored. But there's no argument to be made as to who deserved the nod this year, and that's Angle.

Sting was a great first choice, and TNA followed with a second worthy choice in Kurt Angle.

 

[Dave_duncan]

Only person who deserves an induction more then Kurt is Jeff Jarrett and with him and TNA reportedly on shakey terms this is the next best option, nobody made an impact coming to TNA like Kurt did, maybe asides AJ who has had as many memorable and great matches as Kurt has? Multiple time World Champion, Tag Team Champion, was at one stage the IWGP Heavyweight and TNA World Heavyweight Champion, has been inducted in countless wrestling hall of fames before this anyway so really there was nobody more deserving.

I hope Jarrett and TNA can work out whatever differences they have and he can go in next, if not him then I'd take AJ Styles or Hulk Hogan before him until shit can be resolved.

I would also think Raven deserves to be in as well but yes double j should be inducted in. hogan should not be put in until well after he has retired. I'm not a hogan hater but their are ao many more deserving


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[Pay Per Ghost]

And frankly, who better than Angle to go in? (sorry, channeling my inner Chris Canyon there)

Fixed it for ya.



JJ would have been my choice but ye he's got issues with the top brass. Angle, smashing choice. I still remember when he joined TNA and that vignette, unreal man.

Kurt Angle has had some epic feuds, tonna 5 star matches and quite frankly, cleaned himself up in TNA and we are all grateful for that.

 

[scottyshowman82]

It was a really nice moment. As explained on the pay per view telecast, they didn't know who it was going to be. Angle was visibly moved and taken back by the announcement and so classy in his speech. He said he was humbled by the induction, and there were so many others deserving of the spot, the TNA Originals and main stays, AJ Styles, Bobby Roode, Samoa Joe and James Storm. It shows a lot of the character of the man who could easily be pompous and say I've done things and been places these guys wish they could, but he really respects all the people in the lockerroom and actually said they help him look good. He did thank Dixie Carter and the Carter family but he also thanked Jeff Jarrett which was really big of him after all they went through. He also thanked every single person that is a TNA fan and supports their product. Even Taz had to give the man his props. It was really nice for a guy who, for a guy who's really in his own league when he's in the ring to get some appreciation for what he does and as a fan of TNA and the business in general, you can't say he didn't deserve it.

 

[salopstick]

It seems to me with first sting and now kurt angle that TNA are trying to overshadow the wwe HOF by first inducting two non TNA homegrown stars who are Cerys for the wwe HOF instead of joe, JJ or AJ

That way when wwe eventually induct the pair TNA can claim some credit or kudos.

The TNA HOF is more second rate than TNA

 

[The Dragon Saga]

I would also think Raven deserves to be in as well but yes double j should be inducted in. hogan should not be put in until well after he has retired. I'm not a hogan hater but their are ao many more deserving.

Raven deserves an induction down the line alright, but Sting, Angle, Jarrett, AJ and Hogan should be the initial five. Hogan deserves the spot due to the brand recognition he brought to TNA, the fact hes the biggest name to have ever been in TNA and once (hopefully) AJ and Jarrett go in, Hogan will have been in the company five years if he is still there at that point of course, by then he'll have more then deserved it.

It seems to me with first sting and now kurt angle that TNA are trying to overshadow the wwe HOF by first inducting two non TNA homegrown stars who are Cerys for the wwe HOF instead of joe, JJ or AJ.

Name a few WWE "homegrown" talents in their Hall of Fame. Cause Hogan was AWA, Piper AWA/NWA, Randy Savage AWA/GCW, Ric Flair NWA; would you like me to continue enlightening you on how WWE bought all the territories and really didn't "make" anyone until the mid to late 90's? Joe even, was made in Ring of Honor, TNA just brought his gimmick to their promotion and continued it there, hes even stated that himself.

 

[tvcolosi]

Should have been Jarrett
Could have been Ken Shamrock
Angle may have been a back up plan. Not saying he is not worthy but he is still active....\

And frankly, who better than Angle (sorry, channeling my inner Chris Canyon there) to go in?

PS. its Kanyon not Canyon..

 

[hatehabsforever]

Obviously, the selection of Kurt Angle was an awesome choice. Frankly, I cannot imagine how anyone could even argue otherwise. It was a major deal when he voluntarily chose to jump ship to go to the "minor leagues", and the fact that he has remained loyal and has stayed there for as long as he has is reason enough to put him into their Hall of Fame. He has been a major component of the show for most of his tenure there, whether there's been a title involved or not, yet he has (astonishingly) put his ego on the back burner in lieu of other up and comers when the situation has called for it. While I maintain that he will ultimately conclude his career in the WWE, this in no way undermines his entitlement to a position in the TNA Hall of Fame.

Really, there are very few others who could have been selected. Jeff Jarrett...... Maybe Raven, but that's really about it. If anyone can think of anyone more deserving than Angle (with the possible exception of Jarrett, but as I understand it there's plenty of politics at play there), I'd love to hear about it.

Regarding the TNA Hall of Fame in general, I too believe that it's far too early for such a hall to even exist. But accepting the fact that there is one, I don't feel that they need to induct someone each and every year. If they do continue to induct someone every year, they are going to run out of suitable candidates somewhere around 2014 or 2015, and it will cheapen the entire thing even further. Most of the "real" sports have criteria to determine eligibility for the Hall if Fame and if no one meets the criteria, they don't get inducted. TNA should be the same. After they induct Jarrett next year, they need to stop inductions for a while until they can produce some further deserving candidates.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Obviously, the selection of Kurt Angle was an awesome choice. Frankly, I cannot imagine how anyone could even argue otherwise. It was a major deal when he voluntarily chose to jump ship to go to the "minor leagues", and the fact that he has remained loyal and has stayed there for as long as he has is reason enough to put him into their Hall of Fame. He has been a major component of the show for most of his tenure there, whether there's been a title involved or not, yet he has (astonishingly) put his ego on the back burner in lieu of other up and comers when the situation has called for it. While I maintain that he will ultimately conclude his career in the WWE, this in no way undermines his entitlement to a position in the TNA Hall of Fame.

Really, there are very few others who could have been selected. Jeff Jarrett...... Maybe Raven, but that's really about it. If anyone can think of anyone more deserving than Angle (with the possible exception of Jarrett, but as I understand it there's plenty of politics at play there), I'd love to hear about it.

Regarding the TNA Hall of Fame in general, I too believe that it's far too early for such a hall to even exist. But accepting the fact that there is one, I don't feel that they need to induct someone each and every year. If they do continue to induct someone every year, they are going to run out of suitable candidates somewhere around 2014 or 2015, and it will cheapen the entire thing even further. Most of the "real" sports have criteria to determine eligibility for the Hall if Fame and if no one meets the criteria, they don't get inducted. TNA should be the same. After they induct Jarrett next year, they need to stop inductions for a while until they can produce some further deserving candidates.

No, they won't. They have a slew of guys they can look to in the interim while the 40 and 50-something's on the roster now, or who've been on the roster the last few years approach retirement.

Christian Cage, Kevin Nash, the James Gang, Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, James Storm, etc. etc.

Hell, as I said in the Slammiversary LD, you can even look to the more legendary guys, or even go post-mortem if you need to buy time. Randy Savage, Curt Hennig, Raven, Scott Steiner, Bob Backlund, Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes, etc. have all had at least a cup of coffee with TNA, if not more. Hell, even Vince Russo and Mike Tenay would/should be options. This all assuming, of course, that contractual issues or personal beefs, etc. are put to bed by them.

 

[hatehabsforever]

No, they won't. They have a slew of guys they can look to in the interim while the 40 and 50-something's on the roster now, or who've been on the roster the last few years approach retirement.

Christian Cage, Kevin Nash, the James Gang, Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, James Storm, etc. etc.

Hell, as I said in the Slammiversary LD, you can even look to the more legendary guys, or even go post-mortem if you need to buy time. Randy Savage, Curt Hennig, Raven, Scott Steiner, Bob Backlund, Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes, etc. have all had at least a cup of coffee with TNA, if not more. Hell, even Vince Russo and Mike Tenay would/should be options. This all assuming, of course, that contractual issues or personal beefs, etc. are put to bed by them.

So you're telling me that you, as as big a proponent of TNA as there is, would be OK with continuing to fill a questionable TNA Hall of Fame with the likes of Scott Steiner, Bob Backlund, or Roddy Piper? Or announcers such as Tenay or controversial guys like Russo?

You wouldn't have a problem with having a Hall of Fame which has, say, four guys, two of whom are less than deserving and are simply filler material?

Some of the guys you list above are definite candidates for the hall of fame, when they reach that stage of their respective careers. AJ Styles, Jeff Hardy, James Storm, Chris Daniels, Bobby Roode, even Christian Cage, these guys should and will get consideration for the hall after their active careers are over, or at least, when they are in the twilight of their careers. But you can't induct these guys at this stage of their careers, and I simply don't think you can go through a series of undeserving guys as a holding pattern until the time is right for these guys. If there's no one ready and no one deserving, induct no one. And when Samoa Joe, AJ Styles reach the end, induct them at that time. But don't make a farce of the thing while you're waiting.

 

[Pedigree1]

Well lets me channel my inner Kurt Angle in me. (Hop Hop after release german suplex)No one is more deserving than Kurt Angle. Kurt has had multiple five star matches is a multiple world champion. Kurt without a fucking shadow of a doubt is the biggest free agent signing of all time in pro wrestling. That is my opinion and Im sticking to it. Kurt when he first arrived had problems that we all know about.

But his strength and faith allowed him to get clean where he has stayed clean. He was visibly moved by last nights introduction and clearly had no idea he was the one being inducted. Yes AJ Roode Storm and Jarrett deserve introduction but not before Kurt! Way to go Kurt WOOOOOOO Its True Its Damn True

 

[New Hot Fed]

Last year, after Sting was announced he had the chance to talk on Impact and was attacked by a few thugs. This year I want Angle to talk on Impact and then be confronted by Ken Shamrock.

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

Name a few WWE "homegrown" talents in their Hall of Fame. Cause Hogan was AWA, Piper AWA/NWA, Randy Savage AWA/GCW, Ric Flair NWA; would you like me to continue enlightening you on how WWE bought all the territories and really didn't "make" anyone until the mid to late 90's? Joe even, was made in Ring of Honor, TNA just brought his gimmick to their promotion and continued it there, hes even stated that himself.

You won't have any homegrown WWF stars if we follow that. But I think what the poster before you meant was, how they became national. Andre was doing good in Canada when he first arrived but Vince Sr. had the wherewithal to recognize what his appeal would be, and turned him into a 'once a year in your city' attraction. Taker was floundering in WCW, they had no real direction with the New Skyscrapers, Vince gave him the Undertaker. Shawn individually, was made HBK in WWF.

The WWE HoF has Abduallah the Butcher, a man who literally NEVER wrestled in WWE. Their HoF is now more like recognizing wrestlers of the yore in general. Sting would fit in there. Hansen would fit in there (though he was a part of WWWF at a point), so ye. There's a point to be made by either side.

 

[MrPlatano1989]

And frankly, who better than Angle (sorry, channeling my inner Chris Kanyon there) to go in?

I got into it a bit with someone in the LD for the PPV last night, but while I still don't agree with the fact that TNA has a HOF despite only being an eleven-year old company, the fact they do is not changing, so it's pointless to continue debating the merit of the company having one. The burden shifts now to the merit of the inductees, and no one has more merit than Angle. Even Sting, and the Icon went in ahead of him (which I was fine with as well).

Fact is, for a company as young as they still are, the first few picks are going to still end up being active performers. There's no getting around this. I get that it kinda peeves people a bit, and that's fine, but again, they aren't going to bail on the Hall, so they may as well just make it work as best they can early on with still-active wrestlers. That means guys like Sting, Angle, Styles and Jarrett up front, with Nash, Hardy, Christian Cage and a whole lot more all available later on down the line. With only one inductee going in each year, there should be little to no issue moving forward, that is unless you're still hung up on the fact they have a Hall, in which case see above.

But wrapping this back up with a nice red, white and blue bow, major fucking congratualtions to Kurt Angle on the nomination. Whether he knew or not doesn't matter. He absolutely deserves it. He's the biggest free agent signing they've ever made, and the fact he's stuck by their side this long is a testament to exactly why he's going in and going in this early to boot. He's done everything anyone can possibly want to do in the company, and he's still ticking. Oh it's real...

Woo kurt! People need to change the way they review wrestling and its choices. Kurt Angle has been in TNA for almost 7 consistent years. He has almost eclipsed the time he spent in any other company. TNA is building an iconic class of hall of famers! Whereas has WWE likes to relaunch wrestlers careers (which is fine), TNA continues them! For example, WWE will probably acknowledge Seth Rollins as a 1 time champion (tag). Truth is the talent is actually a multiple world heavyweight champion (I witnessed his ROH title victory live by the way). So that being said, TNA's first inductee is a 27 year wrestling legend who has spent the last 7 of those years as a multiple world heavyweight champ in TNA. Kurt is like a 14 year wrestling legend who has never given less than 110%, not even at small sized house shows with no cams. When TNA signed Angle it was surreal. he could have made anything he wanted in WWE, a 37 year old guy in the best shape of his life, considered the worlds best by many. People thought he would leave in 2 years the latest, hes almost 45 years old at his 7th year with the company, only one year less than Joe. Only 4 years less than AJ or JJ! Its not about when each member gets inducted, its about who gets inducted. AJ will make that list , so would Storm, Roode, Hardy, Abyss, Lynn, Jeff Jarrett! These days some vets retire in their 50's, hell even Lawler is still going. People like AJ and Roode might just have another 14 years in them. Jeff Jarrett has been wrestling for 27 years, hes going to make an incredible asset to the HOF, but It would be wiser to have him as an active wrestler again before they take that route.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I think Kurt is a great choice for entry into the HOF this year. He, more than any other wrestler has been responsible for putting TNA on the map. He was a HUGE signing when he joined the company (even with his health issues which led to his WWE release) and created alot of interest for the company as it was completely unexpected. Credit to TNA for managing to keep it a secret in these days of "spoilers" we live in- I read Jarrett got people to sign documents guaranteeing they wouldn't talk about it.

Anyway, Angle has been a great asset to TNA ever since he joined. By all accounts he has cleaned himself up and has had many great matches over the last 7 years with pretty much everyone in the company including the great rivalry with Samoa Joe when Joe joined TNA. He has won everything possible in TNA, including multiple world titles and even held all the belts at the same time, something I have never seen anyone do in wrestling!

While I would have been happy to see Jeff Jarrett or Raven go in this year, as both were very important in TNA's early years, (AJ Styles deserves it too, but is nowhere near retiring yet, so he can go in years down the line), I think putting Angle in as the 2013 entry is a great move and he seemed genuinely proud of the accolade. He deserves it.

Well done Kurt, one of the very best of all time in my opinion. It was an honour to see him perform live at the TNA UK tour this year, and that top rope Angle Slam on Anderson was incredible to see live.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

You won't have any homegrown WWF stars if we follow that. But I think what the poster before you meant was, how they became national. Andre was doing good in Canada when he first arrived but Vince Sr. had the wherewithal to recognize what his appeal would be, and turned him into a 'once a year in your city' attraction. Taker was floundering in WCW, they had no real direction with the New Skyscrapers, Vince gave him the Undertaker. Shawn individually, was made HBK in WWF.

That what was my point. WWE has very few homegrown talent. They have homegrown characters but most talent both past and present were made in other promotions. Kurt Angle was a WWE made guy because they trained him from scratch as far as pro-wrestling goes, but after him there are few homegrown WWE talents and even fewer homegrown TNA talents. Most have to get exposure somewhere before they get called up.

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

That what was my point. WWE has very few homegrown talent. They have homegrown characters but most talent both past and present were made in other promotions. Kurt Angle was a WWE made guy because they trained him from scratch as far as pro-wrestling goes, but after him there are few homegrown WWE talents and even fewer homegrown TNA talents. Most have to get exposure somewhere before they get called up.

After Angle? I'd classify Brock, Cena, Batista as WWE homegrown talent. I mean ye you could be the prototype and shit but those guys really learned the ropes in OVW, WWE's feeder at the time. The Rock before Angle is an out n' out WWE guy. There are a few more.

 

[HBsam31]

Kurt Angle is a great choice. I thought it would be Double J as well, but I guess he has too much heat within the company. Angle is one of my favorites of all time and he definitely deserves his spot. I do wish they would have waited a little bit before starting a HOF. I think the hall should be reserved for people who are retired, but since they are doing it now I have to say their first two picks are great ones.

 

[Strife3]

See while Kurt Angle is a great wrestler and he does belong in the HoF I think it's still too early for him to go in but at the same time I see one of the big reasons why they put him in so fast just like they did with sting last year. The biggest reasons for these HoF inductons atleast in my eyes is that WWE didn't get to it first and that's how I feel about it, Hulk Hogan should be in the TNA HoF not Angle yet.

 

[ABMorales787]

See while Kurt Angle is a great wrestler and he does belong in the HoF I think it's still too early for him to go in but at the same time I see one of the big reasons why they put him in so fast just like they did with sting last year. The biggest reasons for these HoF inductons atleast in my eyes is that WWE didn't get to it first and that's how I feel about it, Hulk Hogan should be in the TNA HoF not Angle yet.

Hogan has been in TNA about 3 years. Kurt Angle has been in TNA for 7. Kurt was the first major jump from WWE to TNA at a time when the company had just jumped into Spike TV. He's the reason guys like Mick Foley, Hulk Hogan, Mr. Anderson and Jeff Hardy have gone to TNA after leaving WWE. He's the guy that helped TNA be seen as an alternative for major talent rather than a smaller league. Just how is Hogan more qualified than Angle for TNA's Hall Of Fame?

 

[MCMG]

Essentially, Kurt Angle is why I watch TNA. I had never heard of this promotion until I came across it on TV. The mentioned Kurt Angle and I was immediately interested. I loved him in the WWE and this was the same for many. Yes guys like AJ and Samoa Joe built TNA from the ground but Angle put in on the map. He was the star power they desperately needed. Hardy and Christian would have never been able to help TNA progress to the stage were they are now, in my opinion.

Hulk Hogan, Bischoff, Ric Flair, Booker T etc. have all been involved with TNA. Impact went from 1 to 2 hours. It would be naive for me to say it was all down to Angle but he was a major part. It would have been very easy for him to leave TNA, make amends with the WWE and re-sign but he didn't. He stuck with it and has been an incredible asset since his debut.

 

[XxTalonxX]

It good to see that Kurt Angle is the second in the TNA HOF. I don't know who would be inducted into next years TNA HOF, but i would like to see either Jerry Lynn, AJ Styles, even Somoa Joe being inducted next.