WWE legend Kurt Angle has revealed who he believes to be the greatest wrestler of all time.
Angle himself spent two separate spells with WWE, between 1998-2006 and 2017-2019. He had 10 years between those stints with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
The American arrived in the former company as an Olympic gold medalist as an amateur wrestler. By the time his first WWE stint ended in 2006, Kurt Angle was one of the most successful and prominent performers in the business.
He won four world titles in WWE before winning seven world titles with TNA. Across both companies, he had memorable feuds with John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Triple H, AJ Styles and Jeff Jarrett.
Given all that wrestling experience, Angle has a considerable voice in the debate of who is the greatest wrestler of all time.
Kurt Angle names his greatest of all time
Previously, the Olympic gold medalist had stated that Shawn Michaels was his greatest “overall entertainer” of all time.
The ‘Heartbreak Kid’ is a fellow WWE Hall of Famer, and captivated fans with his performances for over 20 years. After his loss to The Undertaker at WrestleMania 26 in 2010, Michaels bowed out of professional wrestling before returning for a one-off – albeit unsuccessful – match at Super ShowDown in 2018.
Speaking on his podcast, The Kurt Angle Show, the 53-year-old said (quotes via TJR Wrestling): “He is not stiff, you don’t even feel it. He barely touches you. That’s what makes him such a pro.
“I don’t know if he’s ever stiffed anybody. Shawn is that good. He’s able to gauge shots, punches, kicks. His athleticism in the ring, he’s unbelievable. He does things that nobody else can do, and he’s the jack of all trades.”
However, in an interview with current AEW star – and former WWE legend – Chris Jericho, Angle changed his opinion somewhat.
He explained (quotes via WrestlingInc): “Chris, I want to tell you. I’ve always thought Shawn Michaels was the greatest of all time.
“And I’m not just saying this to blow smoke up your ass, but what you’ve been able to accomplish in AEW, and how long you’ve been able to have this career, I think that you have taken over Shawn as the greatest of all time.
“You really have, Chris. I mean that with all my heart.”
Expanding on his view in an interview with Lucha Libre Online, Angle added: “What he’s been able to do with his characters, changing and innovating himself and being able to be as effective as he is in the business this late in his career, at 51, 52 years of age, and being in the business for over 30 years. He’s put in a lot of time, a lot of effort, and he’s very talented.”
What has Chris Jericho achieved in his wrestling career?
Chris Jericho is one of the most successful performers in the history of professional wrestling.
After several years on the independent circuit, Jericho spent three years with WCW before joining the then WWF in 1999.
In 2001, the American-Canadian made wrestling history by becoming the first person to hold the Undisputed WWF Championship. He defeated The Rock and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin in separate matches on the same night.
Jericho further elevated his status in WWE before departing the company in 2005. He returned two years later before engaging in a memorable feud with Shawn Michaels.
After two more world title reigns, ‘Y2J’ had a hiatus from WWE to focus on his music career before returning again in 2012. Six years later, Jericho left the company for what is, at present, the final time before eventually moving on to AEW. He is a one-time AEW World Champion.
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