Kurt Angle's Olympic Chances: "Slim to None"

[Self High 5]

Kurt Angle Interview with BBC - Link

I thought some of you may be interested in the above BBC interview with Kurt Angle, in which - in a rare moment of clarity - Kurt admits his chances of making the Olympic team are "slim to none".

On top of sharing the interview, I thought this could be a springboard into discussion on Kurt's eventual return to TNA. When do you think this will be (assuming he fails), and any storyline/booking ideas?

I would like to see Kurt return ASAP, and put into a short fued with Bully Ray, based on Ray mocking him mercilessly for his failure. This would get Angle some sympathy, and some great heat for Bully. I would have Angle going over Bully decisively - and brutally - at whichever was the next PPV (Sacrifice perhaps), re-establishing him as a fan favourite - or at least a tweener.

Not sure after that, but would love to see Angle putting over Aries eventually.

 

[Honkey_Kong]

Kurt is being realistic. He has to face Jake Varner in the first round. For people who don't follow real wrestling, Varner is a beast. He dominated CIF in high school and he's a 2 time NCAA champion at Iowa State. Varner is a tougher opponent than almost every single person he'd face in the Olympics if he were to make the team. So yeah Angle's got his hands full.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1tvXYxHs5A

If Kurt is smart, he should not pro-wrestle a single match until after the trials. And the thing Varner doesn't have that Kurt does, is experience. Kurt's been there before. He's going to be calmer and make fewer mistakes. Kurt needs to get healthy right now though.

 

[Honkey_Kong]

Kurt is being realistic. He has to face Jake Varner in the first round. For people who don't follow real wrestling, Varner is a beast. He dominated CIF in high school and he's a 2 time NCAA champion at Iowa State. Varner is a tougher opponent than almost every single person he'd face in the Olympics if he were to make the team. So yeah Angle's got his hands full.

If Kurt is smart, he should not pro-wrestle a single match until after the trials. And the thing Varner doesn't have that Kurt does, is experience. Kurt's been there before. He's going to be calmer and make fewer mistakes. Kurt needs to get healthy right now though.

Now, with that said, I really hope Angle makes the team. At the very least as an alternate. You have to admit, what better way to end your stellar amateur/pro wrestling career than by winning the gold medal at the Olympics when everybody thinks you can't.

 

[Rayne]

Yeah, I, and anyone with any inkling of knowledge about amateur wrestling, have been saying this since Kurt Angle announced his intentions. I actually didn't think he was serious about it; I thought he was merely trying to renew his amateur wrestling-pro wrestling cred.

We're talking about a guy who's had multiple surgeries and recurring neck problems, who hasn't wrestled an amateur match in sixteen years, who's going against the best in the world at what they do right now. Hey- mad props to Kurt for even going for it. He's not exactly someone you should take as a role model (hey- maybe he did just decide to park his car sideways on the middle of a highway median and walk to the arena from there), but at his age, going out for the Olympic team still takes a substantial amount of sack. But the game has moved past him. He was a pretty drastic underdog when he won his gold in 1996, and quite a bit of time and injury has past since then.

 

[Self High 5]

Moving back to the booking of Angle's return for a moment, while I generally try and avoid IW spoilers (being in the UK), I couldn't help but read that Angle appeared on last night's show and cost Hardy his match.

Could be setting up a feud there for sooner rather than later. Guess they're just going to keep him heel then. Shame that. The Attitude era, non-bald, goofy, cowardly Angle was an amazing heel, but ever since he went with the intense, bald, bad-ass Angle, you can't help but root for him.

Seems a bit strange to start a fued at this stage, when Angle's immediate future is a question mark. Maybe they really want him on the Lockdown card to sell a few more tickets?

I still prefer my idea of Angle returning, having lost his confidence - his mojo if you will - and being riddled with self doubt, being beaten down and humiliated by Bully Ray for weeks on Impact, finally ending with a decisive PPV win, having regained his spark.

 

[Honkey_Kong]

Yeah, I, and anyone with any inkling of knowledge about amateur wrestling, have been saying this since Kurt Angle announced his intentions. I actually didn't think he was serious about it; I thought he was merely trying to renew his amateur wrestling-pro wrestling cred.

We're talking about a guy who's had multiple surgeries and recurring neck problems, who hasn't wrestled an amateur match in sixteen years, who's going against the best in the world at what they do right now. Hey- mad props to Kurt for even going for it. He's not exactly someone you should take as a role model (hey- maybe he did just decide to park his car sideways on the middle of a highway median and walk to the arena from there), but at his age, going out for the Olympic team still takes a substantial amount of sack. But the game has moved past him. He was a pretty drastic underdog when he won his gold in 1996, and quite a bit of time and injury has past since then.

I think he's pretty serious about his run for the Olympics. I'm pretty sure they took what he said out of context. But this is definitely the challenge of his life here. I think the trials this year are tougher than in '96. These guys are better wrestlers, but Kurt is probably the toughest man wrestling there.

His game plan should be to get ahead early and just try to hold on to his lead. Not try to go for takedowns unless the other guys make mistakes. Just be conservative. The guys he's wrestling don't just want to make the team, they want to BEAT Angle for all the prestige that brings.

And remember Randy Couture won the UFC Heavyweight championship at 43 and Kurt Angle is a way better wrestler/athlete than he is.

Here is a link to the video of Kurt winning it all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ17NKEQ69A

 

[mb47]

As already stated Kurt has the hardest opponent he could have got against him.

With that said though I believe he still has a fairly good chance at winning.

Kurt has been out of the amateur scene for a long time however he was a very high caliber wrestler. He may have been an underdog when he won the gold but he won. He was the best at that point.

He admits in the article that he knows now to be less aggressive and more tactical and despite being out of amateur wrestling for a long time with how good he was he'll pick it up quickly again and he clearly remembers past mistakes and has learnt from them.

To further the article Kurt said that it's quite a scary choice to be put against him and I truly believe that. Coming up against a very well decorated amateur wrestler is intimidating, even to Jake Varner. Jake is likely to feel more pressure than normal and could make a few mistakes, that is where Angle will be able to take advantage and get some points in and get the lead.

If Kurt can get people to wrestle his way then he can make it to the Olympics. Personally I would love to see Kurt make it even if he doesn't win, it would be a great achievement for the man considering his age.

 

[Honkey_Kong]

I looked at the rules for the trials, Verner has an automatic bye to the finals. He faces the guy who wins the tournament. Still Kurt has to beat Brester, Henke, Kilgore and some others before he even gets to face Varner.

 

[mb47]

If that's how it is and Kurt would only get Varner in the finals I believe that Kurt does have a great chance. I mean there is some great wrestlers that are going to be in there but hopefully Kurt's fitness is going to be good and he will have got back in to amateur wrestling pretty quickly and has just gone on to get better on his weaknesses.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

I figured Angle's chances were slim to none when he first announced his intentions to try for a spot on the U.S. Olympic wrestling team. Angle's something of a macho minded kind of guy, he's a fierce competitor and extremely proud. When you look at all he's accomplished, it's not difficult to understand why.

However, the fact of the matter is that this isn't 1996. Angle is 15.5 years older and during that time, he's put his body through a lot of wear & tear that one would expect for someone that's become one of the biggest names in wrestling history. He's been injured as a pro, including aggravating injuries he got during his amateur days, and he's put off taking time off to rest up & heal when he shouldn't have. Taking all that into consideration and coupling it with just how physical amateur wrestling is, Kurt Angle simply isn't the same person physically as he was back in ' 96 because nature won't allow him to be.

I was surprised to hear Angle himself come out and comment on what his chances are realistically. It's just not something he's been known to do. He's going to be competing against young men that haven't gone through what he has, are in their physical primes and a good couple decades younger than he is. I hope Angle doesn't get hurt during all this and, personally, I think Angle being taken down a few pegs and having reality kick him in the nuts could be good for him in the long run as a person.

 

[Rayne]

And remember Randy Couture won the UFC Heavyweight championship at 43 and Kurt Angle is a way better wrestler/athlete than he is.

Two things.

One, when Randy Couture won the heavyweight championship in UFC, the division was considered one of the weakest in all of combat sports. The situation isn't exactly analogous to this year's Olympic Trials, which does not suffer from a weak class.

Two, what on earth gives you the idea that Angle is a better athlete than Randy Couture? I'm interested in hearing the defense of this particular argument.

 

[Honkey_Kong]

Two things.

One, when Randy Couture won the heavyweight championship in UFC, the division was considered one of the weakest in all of combat sports. The situation isn't exactly analogous to this year's Olympic Trials, which does not suffer from a weak class.

Two, what on earth gives you the idea that Angle is a better athlete than Randy Couture? I'm interested in hearing the defense of this particular argument.

It isn't exactly analogous, however it is to show that people his age can be on the top of his sport. And you're saying Tim Silva wasn't a good fighter? Come on.

And Two, Kurt Angle has a gold medal in wrestling and he was a two time NCAA div 1 champion. The best Couture did was be a two time NCAA runner up. And watch the two compete in their sports. Kurt displays more athleticism hands down. That's not to take anything from Randy though. Just admit it, you know damn well Kurt is the better athlete.

 

[Pedigree1]

Kurt Angle love him or hate him is the man!! At 41 years old still trying to make a run at the olympics at his age is incredible!! In 1996 when he won the gold as an underdog that was well fucking amazing beating abbas jadidi! For Kurt to admit his chances are slim to none and drawing jake varner is indeed almost impossible right now!! Numerous neck injuries and just plain wear and tear on kurts body IMO kurt shouldnt wrestle not one match until after this is all over!!

I applaud Kurt angle i do!! Mad respect for him to try and do this at his age and numerous injuries he suffered!! Do i think he can do it i am not betting against him thats for sure!! IMO kurt angle is the greatest pro/amateur wrestler there is!! Go Kurt

 

[Otacon]

His game plan should be to get ahead early and just try to hold on to his lead. Not try to go for takedowns unless the other guys make mistakes. Just be conservative. The guys he's wrestling don't just want to make the team, they want to BEAT Angle for all the prestige that brings.

And remember Randy Couture won the UFC Heavyweight championship at 43 and Kurt Angle is a way better wrestler/athlete than he is.

Here is a link to the video of Kurt winning it all:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQ17NKEQ69A

are you serious bro?

 

[steinerscrewdriver]

It isn't exactly analogous, however it is to show that people his age can be on the top of his sport. And you're saying Tim Silva wasn't a good fighter? Come on.

And Two, Kurt Angle has a gold medal in wrestling and he was a two time NCAA div 1 champion. The best Couture did was be a two time NCAA runner up. And watch the two compete in their sports. Kurt displays more athleticism hands down. That's not to take anything from Randy though. Just admit it, you know damn well Kurt is the better athlete.

A. Sylvia

B. The sports are two different things. I dont see how this can be any kind of comparison FFS. Do you want Randy Couture to do a damn moonsault. Couture made a career of pummling guys against the fence, something that is highly athletic but not flashy. Throwing a bigger man against the cage holding him there and punching him in the face is very athletic.

And back on topic kudos to Kurt for trying to get the Olympics again but I dont see much of a chance. He's going against stronger, younger and less beat up men. Best of luck and it would be a great story but dont see it happening.

 

[Rayne]

It isn't exactly analogous, however it is to show that people his age can be on the top of his sport. And you're saying Tim Silva wasn't a good fighter? Come on.

I never said Tim Sylvia wasn't a good fighter. I even know how to spell his name. I'm saying that the heavyweight division in UFC at the time of Randy Couture's HW title win was the weakest in professional combat sports. It's still professional combat sports. Randy Couture is a natural light heavyweight- there's a reason he didn't quest after that belt, instead going after the heavyweight title. He wouldn't have been able to hang with Chuck Liddell or Tito Ortiz while they were tearing up that division.

And Two, Kurt Angle has a gold medal in wrestling and he was a two time NCAA div 1 champion. The best Couture did was be a two time NCAA runner up.

So, we're going to discuss what these guys did in their early-20's to determine factually who is a better athlete in their mid-40's??? Your point, is no valid.

You also forgot about Randy Couture's UFC championship, which you had mentioned in the past paragraph. It's really easy to compare two athletes and have the comparison come out the way you want when you pick and choose what to pay attention to.

And watch the two compete in their sports. Kurt displays more athleticism hands down. That's not to take anything from Randy though. Just admit it, you know damn well Kurt is the better athlete.

Yes. It is a lot easier to look "athletic" when your "opponent" lets you grab him around the waist and throw him backwards over your head. If I thought Kurt Angle was the better athlete, I wouldn't be having this discussion with you. I think you are entirely wrong, which is why I asked why you thought Kurt Angle was the better athlete today.

Apparently, the answer is because Kurt Angle was a better wrestler twenty years ago, and "well you should just know I'm right". I've heard more convincing arguments.

 

[JoonDaGr8One]

Kurt is a great athlete and i give him credit for trying but those boys are young and wrestle on a regular basis. If he goes through with it, it may get ugly for him, Michael Jordan was a beast in his day but 2 laps up the floor would kill him right now. Father time waits for no man, and this shit ain't scripted so it could be over before it even starts.

 

[kor420]

Now, with that said, I really hope Angle makes the team. At the very least as an alternate. You have to admit, what better way to end your stellar amateur/pro wrestling career than by winning the gold medal at the Olympics when everybody thinks you can't.

I Agree with everything you said, but if he made the team and wins a gold medal, i would seriously cry because it would be a real life rocky moment.

 

[sTyLnK]

That's funny considering Kurt's words were very different when he first said he would be training. He obviously found out just how much work it takes and once he did, realized he's a step behind because of his age. Still though at least he's admitting it.

 

[Serious Mozzarella]

Even ignoring all the completely valid points about his age, he would have to overcome all the latent injuries he's had to deal with since the beginning of his pro-wrestling career. Broken neck, broken back, 300 years of abuse on the road, etc. Even if his first Olympic opponent WEREN'T goddamn Hercules, he would still have an extremely slim chance of making it.

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

Well a cynic could say that he is preping his fans and supporters not to expect much from his run for London. Then again I think he is speaking honestly because no matter how aggressive and competitive he maybe, there are younger hungrier kids who want their chance to shine.





I do look forward to his matches and qualifications and would like to see him in the Olympics. He seems like he is trying to get his life on track and focus on a new goal. But I do think the young'uns will stretch him good.