TNA Signs Kurt Angle

[-Wolverine]

TNA = Total Nonstop Action, and is another type of wrestling brand, alternative to WWE.



Nashville, TN, September 24, 2006 – Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling announced today that Olympic gold medalist and pro wrestling megastar Kurt Angle has signed exclusively with the company. It was also announced that TNA iMPACT! will move to 9:00 PM ET/PT Thursdays on Spike TV starting November 16.

“This has been a huge week in our company’s history,” said Dixie Carter, president of TNA Entertainment, LLC. “The signing of Kurt Angle and the move of iMPACT! to 9 PM are both significant benchmarks in the growth of TNA. The history of pro wrestling is marked with events that change the landscape of the industry and I believe that this week will be viewed in that context.”

Angle, a 2-time NCAA Division I champion and a 3-time NCAA Division I All-American, capped off his illustrious amateur career by winning a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Olympics, competing with two cracked vertebrae, two herniated disks and four pulled muscles.

On November 14, 1999, Angle made his on-screen debut with the World Wrestling Federation. Since then, this 5-time WWE World Champion has held every major championship belt in WWF/E. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003.

“Kurt is considered the greatest wrestler in professional wrestling,” added Carter. “His in-ring ability is matched only by his leadership and attitude. We are thrilled Kurt is joining the TNA family and we look forward to a long, successful relationship.”

“Being with TNA feels like I found my home,” Kurt Angle commented. “TNA will be the most watched show on cable TV – it’s just a matter of time. Thank you TNA for saving my career, my life and my desire to do what I love.”

TNA also announced it will premiere in primetime on Spike TV starting Thursday, November 16, kicking-off with a two-hour extravaganza from 9:00 – 11:00 PM, ET/PT to celebrate the move. The following Thursday, TNA can be seen in its regularly scheduled timeslot (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT), with encores continuing to telecast on Saturdays (11:00 PM – Midnight, ET/PT).

“We’ve been impressed by TNA’s growth and the acquisition of Kurt Angle today continues to show us that wrestling fans, as well as professional wrestlers, know that TNA is the place to be and now primetime on Spike TV is the place for them to be,” says Kevin Kay, General Manager of Spike TV.

credit: tnawrestling.com

So yeah, this really will suck for WWE.

[Machine Head]

I though he wanted to leave to del with personal issues?

[GoldenMerc]

Good find +rep

[arouse]

Sorry, but what an idiot.

[Acidulantes]

What an absolute idiot... what the hell was wrong with smackdown!? he was awesome... until now.

[YellowParasol]

What an absolute idiot... what the hell was wrong with smackdown!? he was awesome... until now.

I agree, should of stayed with WWE..

[Wayne]

That's a stupid decision. TNA are rumoured to be bust by the end of the year, nevermind it being a rubbish federation. He should of stuck with WWE.

[-mark74-]

wwe made him who he is today
bad decision

[Acidulantes]

He didnt join wwe, wwf as it was then, when he was approached first time because he thought wrestling as entertainment was silly compaired to pro wrestling he'd done in the olympics and whatnot... now who looks silly... he was one of the best if not the best in wwe...

[Muniflex]

Didnt he go 2 ECW anyway? I havnt seen Wrestling in a few weeks.