HOUSTON – Kurt Angle will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017.
“Kurt Angle’s accomplishments both in the Olympics and WWE were extraordinary,” said WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative Paul Levesque. “He was one of the most gifted athletes to ever enter the ring, and we are honored to welcome him into the WWE Hall of Fame.”
Angle, a Pittsburgh native, is a two-time All-American and a two-time NCAA champion while wrestling for Clarion University, according to the WWE. He competed in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, winning a gold medal for the United States.
In 1998, Angle made the jump from amateur to professional wrestling when he signed with the WWE.
One year later, Angle made his debut at Survivor Series 1999, picking up the first win of an undefeated streak that saw Angle capture the European and Intercontinental Championships.
His rookie campaign culminated at WWE No Mercy in October 2000, where he defeated The Rock to capture his first WWE Championship.
In a release about the induction, the WWE wrote, “Though his wrestling ability was unparalleled, Angle adapted to the entertainment side of sports-entertainment better than anyone could have expected. Whether it was preaching his ‘three Is’ – intensity, integrity and intelligence – taking part in a five-second pose with Edge & Christian or joining ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin for a backstage sing-along, The Olympic Hero was able to make the WWE Universe laugh when he wasn’t wowing them with his athleticism.”
Angle left the WWE in 2006 after four reigns as WWE Champion, a World Heavyweight Championship, the WCW, United States, Hardcore, Intercontinental and World Tag Team Championships. He was also named the 2000 King of the Ring and served as general manager of SmackDown.