He is one of the greatest wrestlers in recent history. An Olympic gold medallist, a five-time World Champion, Intercontinental, European, Tag Team, United States, Hardcore Champion, and the 2000 King of the Ring, these facts alone class Kurt Angle with the best. It's a bold statement to say that Kurt Angle is THE best in the entire promotion (in the last ten years, let's say). If Angle was TRULY the best in EVERYBODY'S mind, it would be saying that he draws more heat than Triple H, he is a better technical wrestler than Chris Benoit, revolutionized the business more than Shawn Michaels, made better draws than Stone Cold Steve Austin, and a greater legacy than the Undertaker. He probably isn't all those things, and for me to say that would be really stretching it. But MY opinion is that he is the best in the business

Another thing that hinders my argument is that Kurt had a really bad neck injury that pretty much killed his status as main-eventer. He hasn't won a single title since 2003, and many people thought he still couldn't do what he did before. Before. We're 19 days removed from WrestleMania 21, and by the gods, if there is one person who thought that HBK vs. Kurt Angle was NOT the best match on the card, who actually watched it, can kiss my ass. That match was a huge classic. People had their eyes glued to the action, live or on TV, to see how the match would go. If you watched it, you will agree with me. You held your breath while the Ankle Lock was being slapped on HBK to see how the match would pan out. This was the match that stole the whole freakin' show, oh it's true, it's true. If that feud had started earlier and allowed more build-up and lasted a couple of months, that feud would have been one of the greatest of all time. The few doubters say, that's one match Kurt worked, he couldn't put on another great match like that, well, look back a little bit. SummerSlam 2004, Eddie Guerrero versus Kurt Angle was again, easily the best match on the card. Kurt also put on great matches on FREE TV, against JBL, the week after Armageddon, the Eddie Guerrero matches, and especially versus Marty Janetty.

Aside from matches, his entire wrestling personality is the perfect epitome of greatness. An egotistical gold medallist who bragged about every achievement he had, made him the quintessential heel. His mike skills are up with the best, which is why I would rather watch Kurt Angle any day over Triple H or JBL as a heel. The truth about Triple H is that his last five or so title reigns have been entirely due to his political power backstage, and no one has had the power or courage to tell him to shut the hell up. Not to mention he can't wrestle for crap. You want to tell me a guy like that who is being billed as the top guy in the WWE is better than Kurt Angle, or even JBL, and every other major player in the WWE, please. I'm not making this article into something like, Kurt Angle vs. Everyone else, or even Kurt Angle vs. Triple H, because believe me, if I were here to write a HHH-hating article, I could make it a helluva lot longer than this.

If Kurt Angle is to ever become what he was earlier in his career and resume his path of greatness, that would be justice. He is truly one of the greatest to step in the squared circle. However, if he were to never hold the World Title again, he would still have his place in wrestling history. Physically, he has a guaranteed three years left in him. Don't let that go to waste, Vince.

by Bruce C. ..