If Kurt Angle is known for one thing, it’s that he won an Olympic gold medal with a broken freakin’ neck. If he’s known for two things, it’s that he’s one of the all-time greats in the ring as a pro wrestler. And if he’s known for three things, the third is probably that he’s one of the very best comedic actors and performers that wrestling has ever seen.
Now that Angle is a regular part of WWE as Raw’s general manager, it seems like today’s Superstars would want to plumb the depths of the rich Angle mine (so to speak) of wrestling and character knowledge. Probably don’t need advice on how to win the gold with a broken neck, but if he offers that up as well, you should listen. You just never know.
In an interview with The Dallas Observer, Angle named names on who has specifically come to him to sit under his learning tree. And the three people he lists are just delightful, and some of the brightest parts of WWE’s current product.
“Well, it’s not only the wrestler’s responsibility [to seek out advice] but also the writing staff. There are guys today that I love. Sami Zayn and the Fashion Police are a couple examples of guys who approached me for advice on how to improve their characters. It’s about taking chances. Rarely do fans approach me and say, ‘I remember the classic match you had against so-and-so.’ Instead, fans usually say to me, ‘I remember that time you drove a milk truck to the ring. Or when you wore a tiny cowboy hat and sang with Stone Cold Steve Austin.’ It’s the moments that the fans love and remember. It goes well beyond just wrestling.”
Now, there’s no telling whether Zayn’s current nebbishy persona in promos and backstage segments is owed somewhat to Angle, but it really warms by heart to know that Breezango and frigging El Generico are trying to learn all they can from one of the absolute masters. It seems like things are in very good hands.
