Kurt Angle, during his in-ring career, was renowned for the mantra of the “Three I’s” — Intensity, Integrity, and Intelligence. Now that the former Olympic Champion, and multi-time World Champion has retired from the ring, you can add another “I” to his mantra … “Icon.”
There will never be another Kurt Angle — an athlete that seamlessly transitioned from one sport to the world of professional wrestling and became not only one of the best in-ring performers to ever grace the squared circle, but a performer who was an absolute legend on the microphone.
After a near 20 year career, Angle called it a career after Wrestlemania 35. However, he didn’t leave the world of wrestling for good — he recently was hired as a producer for WWE. And who better to help the stars (both current and future) of WWE than a man who created so many iconic moments and matches in the WWE and TNA.
Over the weekend we caught up with Angle at New Jersey Horror Con and Film Festival in Atlantic City, New Jersey for a brief chat. We spoke to him about interacting with the fans, transitioning to his new role as a producer in WWE, Baron Corbin, and what advice he has for independent wrestlers.
It’s an absolute honor to be sitting here next to you at New Jersey Horror Con today. What’s it like for you to be out here today interacting with all these fans?
It’s been a lot of fun. It’s good to get out there and mingle with the fans. And talk to them about different events, movies, wrestling, so many different subjects. It’s cool to see different people from different walks of life come here and do what they love to do. And that’s get autographs from people that they grew up watching.
You’ve had phenomenal matches over the years with the likes of Rey Mysterio, Eddie Guerrero, Brock Lesnar … the list goes on and on. You’ve stepped out of the ring and now you’re taking more of a behind the scenes approach. What’s it like for you in this new role?
Right now it’s a little hard to watch. I mean when you make the transition from wrestling to retirement, you still want to be out there. So it’s a little difficult, but I’ve been handling it pretty well. It keeps me busy.
We saw you at Wrestlemania taking on Baron Corbin in your retirement match. Tell us what it was like working with Baron and what you see for the future of Baron in this business.
Baron’s a good kid. I think he’s gonna have a great future. He’s obviously King of the Ring now. I always knew he was would be really good, and I know Vince McMahon really likes him a lot. And I’m happy to see him having the success that he’s been having.
What advice you would give to a lot of indie guys that we support on the show (site) who are trying to make a name for themselves?
Learn how to bump properly and learn how to sell. Those two things will give you a lot of success and they will help you make money, and help make the business money. If you sell really well, you’re going to be a great wrestler.
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