Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle is one of the most gifted and accomplished athletes to ever step into a WWE ring. A legitimate Olympic gold medalist in wrestling (which he famously won with a broken neck at the 1996 Games), Angle brought unmatched technical skill, intensity, and credibility when he debuted in WWE in 1999.

What made Angle stand out wasn’t just his wrestling ability—it was his surprising knack for comedy, character work, and storytelling. He could play the straight-laced, “three I’s” (Intensity, Integrity, Intelligence) role one moment and turn around to deliver hilarious, over-the-top promos the next. His character often mixed arrogance with cluelessness, making him both a villain and a fan favorite at different times.

Inside the ring, Angle had classic matches with the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Shawn Michaels, Brock Lesnar, Eddie Guerrero, and Chris Benoit. He held multiple world titles and is considered one of the best all-around performers of his generation.

Whether he was suplexing opponents across the ring or making them tap out to the Ankle Lock, Kurt Angle combined real athleticism with pure entertainment, earning a spot among the all-time greats in professional wrestling.