Kurt Angle made his first “official” comments on his release in this interview with WWE.com Editor Michael Cole.
It’s a very interesting read, but being on WWE.com, likely includes some inaccuracies/embellishments, while leaving out any details on the release that they don’t want to share publicly. One example of this is claiming this about the 8/13 ECW house show match vs. RVD — in which Angle sustained his most recent injuries: “Ironically that would be Angle’s last match.” In fact, Aaron Wheatley reported the following to PWInsider in a house show recap from the 8/14 ECW event in Salsbury, MD — taking place a day after the match in which Angle was injured:
Match 3 – Danny Doring vs. Kurt Angle
Doring came out and cut a promo talking about how he was so great we should all line up to kiss his feet. Angle’s music hit (his old music, which allowed for some You Suck chants) and out comes the Olympic champion. Angle headbutts Doring and puts him in the Ankle Lock and makes him tap after an 8 second squash match.
That being said, here are some excerpts from the interview, in which Cole writes that “Angle and WWE officials mutually agreed to end Angle’s relationship with the company on Friday.”
Kurt Angle on the release:
“I need my body to reheal and rehab, I have done this for too long without a break. I haven’t been able to really enjoy my life. I haven’t seen my family, I’ve had problems with medication – I’m just fried physically and mentally.”
Angle’s business manager David Hawk, on Angle’s health:
“Kurt’s in a tremendous amount of pain, he’s used prescription medication to deal with it. Kurt has come to the conclusion that unless he can get in the ring without the use of pain medication then he doesn’t need to be in there. He realizes he was just endangering himself and his opponents.”
Angle on getting injured on 8/13:
“The crowd was wild … Early on in the match, I pulled my groin, but I kept going, feeding off the crowd. Then I pulled my abdominal muscle off the pelvic bone, but I kept going as the crowd grew more wild. Finally, I blew out my hamstring, but we finished the match. The crowd stood and applauded – a standing ovation and that meant so much to me.”
Angle on a possible return:
“… I need to heal up mentally and physically. Until then, I can’t even think about returning … Vince says when I’m ready, if I’m ever ready, to come back just sign on the dotted line. I’ll tell you if I do return I’m going back to my roots, training on the mat like my amateur days. Longevity is the key … Don’t be concerned, this move was for the best. It was a privilege to be able to compete for all of you. I’d like to say thank you.”
We wish Kurt Angle the best, and will have more on this story as there are new developments. You can talk about this huge news here.
