Kurt Angle recently did an interview with SCNow.com that you can view HERE. The following are a few of his comments regarding TNA compared to the WWE, the politics in each company, his interest in working MMA, and more:
Whatâ<80><99>s TNA like compared to the WWE?
“Thereâ<80><99>s no comparison, talent-wise, to WWE. Weâ<80><99>ve got much more talented wrestlers. Since Iâ<80><99>ve been here, itâ<80><99>s probably progressed 200 percent. Itâ<80><99>s not me, though. The folks who started TNA have really built it up. WWE still makes over $100 million a year, but eventually weâ<80><99>ll get there. Now they have a real competitor.
So I take it you believe, wrestling-wise, TNA trumps WWE?
Yes. and I think a lot of it is the athleticism. We recruit the best wrestlers from around the world. TNA doesnâ<80><99>t discriminate. We look for the best athletes. A lot of our guys are under 6-feet (tall).
You donâ<80><99>t think hiring smaller guys may hurt your fan base?
Not at all. Wrestlingâ<80><99>s an illusion itself, and fans realize it. Weâ<80><99>re coming into a more real world. We have a good mixture of wrestlers. We have (high fliers) like Rey Mysterio Jr., but we also have guys like me and Samoa Joe who are more of a ground-and-pound style, more mixed martial arts oriented.
In 2006, you left WWE for TNA. Why did you leave WWE?
TNA takes better care of me. They donâ<80><99>t want to overwork me. They want to make sure I can stay wrestling for another five to eight years. Thereâ<80><99>s a lot of politics in wrestling, wanting to be the top guy. Thereâ<80><99>s no politics here. That was more important than anything. I canâ<80><99>t say the same about WWE. Iâ<80><99>ve seen guys who could elevate quicker, but because of politics, didnâ<80><99>t.
Youâ<80><99>ve mentioned in other interviews that you would like to try mixed martial arts. Is that still a possibility?
Well, my first priority is TNA. A lot of companies have asked me. In mixed martial arts, the danger is always there. If he puts me in a submission hold and Iâ<80><99>m too proud to tap out and he snaps my arm, Iâ<80><99>m out for a year or two. If I were to do it, the money would have to be unbelievable because if I get injured and Iâ<80><99>m out, I need to provide for my family. If the money I get in mixed martial arts does not exceed the money I make in TNA, itâ<80><99>s not worth it.
