Shane McMahon and Kurt Angle are still looking back fondly on their brutal King of the Ring 2001 classic.
Taking to X, Shane McMahon revealed that he recently spoke with Kurt Angle about their memorable Street Fight at King of the Ring 2001. The former WWE executive noted that both men remain proud of the bout and are grateful that fans continue to remember it all these years later.
“I Just got off the phone with Kurt where we reminisced about this match and how proud we both are of it and that it has withstood the test of time,” McMahon wrote. Thank you all for supporting us both over these many years. You guys are the greatest fans in the world.”
The King of the Ring 2001 Street Fight remains one of the most talked-about matches of the Attitude Era and is widely regarded as one of the toughest performances of both men’s careers.
While Angle ultimately picked up the victory, the match is best remembered for its jaw-dropping and legitimately painful moments. During the closing stretch, Angle attempted to throw McMahon through a sheet of plexiglass positioned on the stage. However, the glass failed to break on the first attempt, leading to several uncomfortable and dangerous-looking throws before McMahon finally crashed through it.
Kurt Angle Suffered Major Injury at WWE King of the Ring 2001
Angle was also far from unscathed. The Olympic gold medalist later revealed that he suffered a broken tailbone during the match but continued wrestling and completed the bout despite the injury. The willingness of both men to endure punishment helped cement the Street Fight’s legacy among wrestling fans.
The match’s most infamous moments became staples of WWE’s “Don’t Try This At Home” public service announcements during the early 2000s. The footage was often used to highlight the dangers of professional wrestling and discourage fans from attempting similar stunts.
Twenty-five years after Kurt Angle and Shane McMahon’s unforgettable Street Fight at King of the Ring 2001, the King of the Ring Tournament remains a major part of WWE programming. This Saturday, WWE will crown its latest King and Queen of the Ring winners at Night of Champions in Saudi Arabia.
On the men’s side, Oba Femi will face Jey Uso in the tournament final, while Liv Morgan and IYO SKY will battle to become the 2026 Queen of the Ring. WrestleZone will provide live coverage of Night of Champions as it airs.
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