Who is Kurt Angle? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Kurt Steven Angle

Age: 54 Years, 54 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Giovanna Yannotti (m. 2012), Karen Jarrett (m. 1998–2008)

father: Dave Angle

mother: Jackie Angle

siblings: David Angle, Eric Angle, Johnny Angle, Le'Anne Angle, Mark Angle

children: Giuliana Marie Angle, Kody Angle, Kyra Angle, Nikoletta Sky Angle, Sophia Laine Angle

Born Country: United States

Wrestlers WWE Wrestlers

Height: 6'0" (183 cm), 6'0" Males

Notable Alumni: Clarion University Of Pennsylvania

U.S. State: Pennsylvania

More Facts

education: Clarion University Of Pennsylvania

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Childhood & Early Life

Kurt Angle was born on December 9, 1968, in the Pittsburgh suburb of Mt. Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania, USA. He is the youngest son of Jackie and Dave Angle. He has four older brothers, Eric, Mark, David, and Johnny. His sister Le'Anne passed away in 2003. He lost his father in 1984 when he was 16 years old. He would later dedicate both his career and his autobiography ‘It’s True! It’s True!’ (published in 2001) to his father.

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Career as an Amateur Wrestler

While studying at ‘Mt. Lebanon High School,’ in Pittsburgh, Kurt Angle started wrestling at the age of seven. He also played football simultaneously and earned varsity letters in both sports. He later enrolled at the ‘Clarion University of Pennsylvania’ to study Education and kept wrestling at the amateur level.

After graduating from college in 1993, he began to train for the 1996 ‘Summer Olympics’ under Coach Dave Schultz at the ‘Pennsylvanian Foxcatcher Club.’ While participating in the Olympic trials, he severely injured his neck. It was revealed that he had fractured two of his cervical vertebrae, herniated two discs, and pulled four muscles. Despite his injury, he won the trial. After five months of rehabilitation, he had a successful campaign at the 1996 ‘Atlanta Olympics.’

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Career as a Professional Wrestler

In 1996, Kurt Angle met WWF chairman Vince McMahon who offered him a ten-year contract. Angle agreed to sign the contract under the condition that he would never lose. McMahon did not call him back after hearing the condition.

He was invited to an ‘Extreme Championship Wrestling’ (ECW) event in October 1996. At the event, he was horrified after seeing a professional wrestler “crucifying” his fellow wrestler with barbed wire. He competed in a battle royal at the National Wrestling Alliance's (NWA) 50th anniversary show. Eventually, he found his way back into WWF.

After spending months in training, he debuted in a match against Shawn Stasiak at the 1999 ‘Survivor Series.’ Throughout his first tenure with WWF, Angle received a major push, virtually winning every championship there was. He had memorable matches against Triple H, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Brock Lesnar, and others. His mic skills were among the best at a time when there was no dearth of talent in that department. He was equally good at being a heel and a face.

By 2006, he had become increasingly restive. His relationship with McMahon was gradually deteriorating, he was in severe pain, and he desperately needed a break. WWE ultimately released him. He had his last match against Sabu on August 8. Angle has since stated that he has come to regret the decision.

He joined TNA following his departure from WWE. In those years, TNA was the only worthwhile competitor of Angle’s former promotion, who had all but monopolized the industry. He was their biggest star and the most hard-working performer. He left TNA in 2016, after being defeated by Bobby Lashley in his last match.

Besides the two major American promotions, he has also wrestled for the ‘New Japan Pro-Wrestling’ (NJPW) (2007–2009), ‘Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide’ (2012), and various other promotions in the independent circuit.

On March 31, 2017, he was inducted into the ‘WWE Hall of Fame’ by John Cena. On the April 3rd episode of Raw, Angle became the new general manager of the brand. For the first time in 11 years, he wrestled inside a WWE ring in a five-on-three handicap Tables, Ladders, and Chairs match at ‘TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs’ pay-per-view event. He also led Team Raw at the 2017 ‘Survivor Series.’

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In July 2019, Angle appeared on the Raw Reunion episode and raised a toast alongside Triple H, Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin and various other wrestlers of his era.

Other Activities

In 1997, following his Olympic triumph, he was employed as a sportscaster for a year at Pittsburgh's local Fox affiliate WPGH-TV.

He made his acting debut in the 2009 film ‘End Game.’ He has also appeared in movies, such as horror fantasy ‘River of Darkness’ (2011), Gavin O'Connor’s ‘Warrior’ (2011), Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson-starrer ‘Pain & Gain’ (2013), critically acclaimed ‘Sharknado 2: The Second One’ (2013), and dark fantasy film ‘The Last Witch Hunter.’

Awards & Achievements

For his accomplishments in amateur wrestling, Kurt Angle has been inducted into the ‘National Amateur Wrestling Hall of Fame’ (Class of 2001), ‘USA Wrestling Hall of Fame’ (Class of 2001), and the ‘International Sports Hall of Fame’ (Class of 2016).

He was picked as the greatest shoot wrestler by ‘USA Wrestling’ in 2006.

He is among the four individuals to complete amateur wrestling Grand Slam (Junior Nationals, NCAA, World Championships, and Olympics).

As a WWF/WWE talent, he has won, among other accolades, WWF/WWE Championship four times (2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003), World Heavyweight Championship (2006), and WCW World Heavyweight Championship (2001).

During his time in TNA, he was TNA World Heavyweight Champion six times (thrice in 2007, once in 2009, once in 2011, and once in 2015)

He was inducted into the ‘TNA Hall of Fame’ (class of 2013).

Angle was inducted into the ‘WWE Hall of Fame’ on March 31, 2017.

Personal Life

On December 19, 1998, Kurt Angle married his girlfriend Karen Smedley. She gave birth to their daughter Kyra on December 2, 2002 and son Kody on October 26, 2006. Smedley filed for divorce in September 2008 after almost 10 years of marriage.

He met actress Giovanna Yannotti on the sets of ‘End Game.’ According to several reports, they got engaged in 2010. Their first child, a daughter named Giuliana Marie, was born on January 22, 2011. The couple married on July 20, 2012. They had two more daughters, Sophia Laine (born December 31, 2012) and Nikoletta Sky (November 5, 2016). It was said that Angle and his wife were adopting a son named Ivan from Bulgaria.

Despite allegations from multiple third parties, especially news outlets, such as ‘Sports Illustrated,’ Angle never failed a drug test for pain killers. He did, however, not pass a test for steroid under WWE’s Wellness Policy in 2006, but that was only due to the expiration of his prescription for nandrolone.

Angle has had a few run-ins with the law over the years, mostly because of driving under the influence of alcohol. He was first charged in 2008, then twice in 2011, and then once more in 2013. He has paid fines for his offence and even served a ten-day suspended sentence. After the 2013 incident, he checked into a rehabilitation center.

He was arrested in August 2009 after his then girlfriend model Trenesha Biggers filed a protection from abuse order against him. The charges that he faced were "driving while operating privilege is suspended, prohibited acts-possession, harassment and prohibited acts." Eventually, those charges were dropped. Angle and Biggers came to an agreement of never contacting each other.

Trivia

Angle is a devout Christian and Republican.

Kurt Angle Biography