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ANGLE COMMENTS ON WWE HOF INDUCTION

Kurt Angle spoke to ESPN (who WWE had "break" the story) about his 2017 WWE Hall of Fame induction today, which you can read by clicking here.

"I was shocked. I've been out of WWE for a long time and out of touch with them so I didn't really expect this," Angle told ESPN. "It's a huge honor. This is the only Hall of Fame that I'm not in and probably (the one) I want to be in the most. This is the one that means the most for me. I had a lot of fun entertaining the fans for seven years with WWE, and I'm glad that my hard work paid off."

The story in the article was that Triple H called Angle today to inform him of the induction, although privately Angle had been telling those close to him that a planned 3/3 match againt Cody Rhodes in a steel cage match for Northeast Wrestling in Waterbury, Connecticut would be his final independent match.  For information on that bout, visit www.NortheastWrestling.com.  So, Angle at least had an idea that 2017 would see him return in WWE in some form.

“Kurt Angle’s accomplishments both in the Olympics and WWE were extraordinary,” Triple H told ESPN. “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.”

The story also featured claims from Angle that while he had not spoken to WWE in many years after departing the company, he never held any ill will towards them.  While that will be the story that is claimed in 2017, Angle came out against Vince McMahon personally after signing with TNA with interviews knocking him and WWE on TNA TV.

During an October 2006 media conference call presented by TNA's then-cable broadcast partner SpikeTV, Angle insinuated that he worked Vince McMahon in order to get his 2005 release from WWE, which was announced with comments from Angle that he was unable to work for the company due to health concerns including his usage of pills.  Angle would go on to sign with TNA in one of the biggest stories of that year, leaving that company in March 2016 after a number of years of being the main event attraction there. 

Angle was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2013, making him the second TNA Hall of Famer to go to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, following Sting.

Angle had been trying to mend his bridge with WWE for some time, seeking a part-time schedule, but it had thus far not come to pass.  Today's announcement opens the door for WWE-released Angle merchandise and an opportunity for Angle to be included in future WWE 2K videogame releases.  Whether this Hall of Fame induction leads to Angle's in-ring return for the company, however, remains to be seen, although the use of Sting and Goldberg in recent years has shown WWE is open to using older stars in prominent part-time positions as attractions on PPV.

Either way, Angle's induction creates a "happy ending" moment for Angle's career and removes one more speck of controversy from WWE's past, as did previous inductions for names like Bruno Sammartino and The Ultimate Warrior.

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