Kurt Angle is a retired professional wrestler with a net worth of $5 million. He is most recognized for his time in WWE and TNA, where he became a legendary figure. Angle is also a gold medalist in freestyle wrestling from the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. His wrestling career spans numerous championships, including 13 world titles, cementing his place as one of the greatest wrestlers in history.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in 1968 in Mt. Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania, Kurt Angle grew up with four older brothers. Angle’s interest in wrestling began at seven years old. He competed in high school wrestling and football before transferring to Canon-McMillan High School, where he went undefeated. He became the Pennsylvania State Wrestling Champion in 1987, and later attended Clarion University, where he excelled in college wrestling, becoming a two-time NCAA Division I champion and a three-time All-American.In 1995, Kurt Angle won a gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the World Championships in Atlanta. The following year, he triumphed in the 1996 Olympics with a broken neck, making him one of the few wrestlers to achieve the amateur wrestling Grand Slam. Despite initially dismissing professional wrestling, Angle was eventually drawn to it and signed a deal with WWF in 1998 after watching “Monday Night Raw.”
WWF Career and Success
Angle’s WWF debut came in 1999 when he faced Shawn Stasiak at Survivor Series. By the end of his first year, Angle had captured both the European and Intercontinental Championships and won the King of the Ring tournament. His ascent continued rapidly, as he claimed the WWF Championship in 2000. Throughout his career, Angle amassed multiple titles, including the WWF/WWE Championship four times, as well as the WCW and World Heavyweight Championships. His impact was so profound that he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017.
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
After leaving WWE in 2006, Angle joined TNA, where he made history by becoming the inaugural TNA World Heavyweight Champion. He successfully defended the title six times and earned the TNA Triple Crown. Angle also won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in 2007. He was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2013, joining Sting as one of the few to be honored in both the WWE and TNA Hall of Fame.
Beyond his time in WWE and TNA, Angle has competed in various wrestling promotions. In 2012, he made his debut for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide at Triplemania XX. He also wrestled for URFight in 2016 against Rey Mysterio and competed in Revolution Pro Wrestling, where he defeated Zack Sabre Jr. Additionally, Angle participated in events with Insane Championship Wrestling and Northeast Wrestling.
Film and Television Appearances
Outside wrestling, Angle pursued acting. He made his film debut in the short film “Chains” in 2008, later playing a serial killer in “End Game” and a Russian MMA champion in “Warrior.” His other film roles include “Pain & Gain,” “Pro Wrestlers vs Zombies,” and “The Last Witch Hunter.” On television, Angle appeared in reality shows like “The Weakest Link” and “Duck Dynasty,” and played a wrestling coach on “Those Who Can’t.”
Kurt Angle married Karen Smedley in 1998, and they had two children before divorcing in 2008. He then married actress Giovanna Yannotti, with whom he has four children, including an adopted son from Bulgaria. Angle has faced several legal issues, including multiple DUI arrests and allegations of stalking his former girlfriend, leading to a protection order in 2009.