Kurt Angle is a retired American professional and collegiate wrestler.
He won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Olympic Games. Presently, he is signed to WWE under a Legends contract and is also recognized for his time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
Early life and Education
Kurt Steven Angle was born in December 9, 1968 in Mt. Lebanon Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to parents Jackie and David Angle. He has German, English, Irish, Italian, and Lithuanian heritage. Angle has four older brothers, including Eric, who is also a wrestler, and a sister named Le’Anne, who passed away in 2003. He attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania, earning a degree in education in 1993. His father, a crane operator, died in a construction accident on Fifth Avenue Place when Angle was 16. Angle dedicated his career and autobiography to his father. After his father’s death, Angle looked up to his wrestling coach, David Schultz, as a father figure. Schultz was tragically murdered in January 1996 by John Eleuthère du Pont, who sponsored Schultz’s Olympic prospects team. Angle’s mother died of cancer in 2015.
Career
Kurt Angle began amateur wrestling at age seven and attended Mt. Lebanon High School, where he excelled in both football and wrestling, winning the Pennsylvania State Wrestling Championship as a senior in 1987. He continued his wrestling career at Clarion University, becoming a two-time NCAA Division I champion and three-time All-American. Angle also won various USA Wrestling titles and a gold medal at the 1995 FILA Wrestling World Championships.
In preparation for the 1996 Summer Olympics, Angle trained under Dave Schultz at the Foxcatcher Club but left after Schultz’s murder, joining the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club instead. Despite a severe neck injury, he won the Olympic gold medal in the heavyweight division, defeating Iranian Abbas Jadidi by officials’ decision.
Named the greatest shoot wrestler of all time by USA Wrestling in 2006, Angle briefly considered a comeback for the 2012 Olympics but was sidelined by a knee injury. He was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
Initially dismissive of professional wrestling, Angle changed his mind after watching WWE and signed with the company in 1998. He trained under Dory Funk Jr. and made his debut in WWE’s developmental territory before progressing to WWE’s main roster, where he became a celebrated wrestler.
Kurt Angle quickly rose to prominence in WWE, showcasing his exceptional technical wrestling skills and charismatic personality. He won numerous championships, including the WWE Championship, the Intercontinental Championship, the European Championship, and the Tag Team Championship. Angle became known for his intense rivalries with top WWE stars such as The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, Brock Lesnar, and Shawn Michaels. His matches, particularly those against Chris Benoit and Shawn Michaels, are often regarded as some of the best in WWE history.
In 2006, Angle left WWE and joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he continued his successful career. In TNA, he became a cornerstone of the promotion, winning the TNA World Heavyweight Championship multiple times and engaging in memorable feuds with wrestlers like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Sting. Angle’s presence in TNA helped elevate the promotion’s profile and credibility.
Angle returned to WWE in 2017, being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. He served as the Raw General Manager and made occasional in-ring appearances, including a notable match at WrestleMania 34. He officially retired from in-ring competition in 2019 after a career-spanning over two decades in professional wrestling.
Outside the ring, Angle has pursued acting, appearing in several films and television shows. He has also been involved in various fitness and nutrition ventures. Angle has been open about his struggles with substance abuse, particularly his addiction to painkillers following his neck injuries, and has worked towards overcoming these challenges.
Personal life
Kurt Angle married Karen Smedley in 1998, and they have two children together. However, they divorced in 2008. In 2010, Angle got engaged to actress Giovanna Yannotti, and they married in 2012, subsequently having three children, one of whom is adopted.
Angle is a Christian and has been involved in political support, backing Marco Rubio in the 2016 Republican Party presidential primaries. He is a fan of sports teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Coventry City Football Club.
In 2015, Angle underwent emergency surgery to remove fluid buildup on his spinal cord and had surgery a week earlier to remove a benign tumor from his neck.
Controversies
In 2007, Angle’s name was linked to a Florida wellness center suspected of distributing performance-enhancing drugs. He denied the allegations but admitted to struggles with addiction to prescription pain medication, which led to a 2013 DUI arrest. Angle claims to have been clean and sober since completing rehabilitation.
Legal issues
In September 2007, Kurt Angle was arrested by the Moon Township Police Department in the Greater Pittsburgh area on a DUI charge. This followed a report of an erratic driver leaving a local bar. However, Angle was later found not guilty when the complaining witness failed to corroborate her story.
On August 15, 2009, Angle faced another arrest by the Moon Township Police Department after his girlfriend accused him of stalking her in the Robinson area. He was charged with various offenses, including driving with a suspended license and possession of a human growth hormone, Hygetropin, which he claimed to have a prescription for. The harassment, license suspension, and drug charges were dropped, and the PFA charges were dismissed after an agreement was reached between Angle and his former girlfriend.
In March 2011, Angle was arrested in Thompson, North Dakota, for being in control of a motor vehicle while intoxicated. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to probation, a fine, and a suspended sentence.
In September 2011, Angle was arrested in Virginia for allegedly driving under the influence. While his initial breath test showed a blood-alcohol concentration above the legal limit, the test was later ruled inadmissible. Angle was ultimately charged with reckless driving and fined.
In August 2013, Angle was arrested by Texas Highway Patrol officers for driving while intoxicated in Decatur, Texas. Following this incident, he announced that he would immediately enter a drug rehabilitation center.
Legacy and Influence 
Angle’s journey from an accomplished amateur wrestler to an Olympic gold medalist serves as inspiration to aspiring wrestlers worldwide.
His success helped promote the sport of wrestling, encouraging participation and highlighting its importance in athletic development.
Angle’s technical wrestling prowess set a high standard for in-ring performance, influencing a generation of wrestlers to prioritize skill and athleticism.
He showcased versatility by seamlessly transitioning between heroic and villainous roles, demonstrating his ability to connect with audiences regardless of character alignment.
Angle’s ability to tell compelling stories through his matches and promos influenced the storytelling aspect of professional wrestling, emphasizing the importance of narrative in captivating audiences.
His success as an Olympic gold medalist added credibility to professional wrestling, showcasing the legitimacy and athleticism of wrestlers with amateur background
His popularity transcended wrestling circles, earning him recognition among mainstream audiences and contributing to the global appeal of professional wrestling.
Despite his personal struggles, Angle’s commitment to redemption and sobriety has positioned him as a role model for perseverance and overcoming adversity.
Net Worth
Estimated to be over 25 million dollars