Kurt Angle Expresses Disappointment Over Match with Mick Foley
Pittsburgh’s own wrestling giant, Kurt Angle, known for carrying WWE during its tumultuous times in the early 2000s, expressed his regret over not having the chance to wrestle with another titan of the industry, Mick Foley, in their prime. Inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, Angle’s in-ring prowess is undeniable, with several of his matches still being cited as classics for their entertainment value and the technical acumen he displayed. While Foley had retired by the time Angle had become a main event player, he continued to make sporadic appearances for the company. It was only when the paths of these two legendary wrestlers crossed in IMPACT Wrestling in 2009 that they got a chance to square off inside the ring. Reflections from the Kurt Angle Show Speaking on his podcast, The Kurt Angle Show, the Olympic Gold Medalist reflected on his rivalry with Foley and the match they had. To the disappointment of many fans, Angle admitted his dissatisfaction with how their face-off panned out. “If I was 100% healthy, I could have made the match look a lot better,” Angle lamented. “I wish Mick and I could have wrestled in our prime. At this point in time, Mick was a little bit past his prime.” Angle parted ways with Vince McMahon’s WWE in 2006 but returned for a retirement run after being inducted into the Hall of Fame 11 years later. Foley’s last in-ring appearance to date was the Royal Rumble match in 2012. The clash between Angle and Foley, albeit not in their prime, was a significant event that sent ripples through the wrestling community. With both competitors well-respected for their storied careers, many fans hoped that they would finally see a clash of titans. However, both Angle and Foley were past their prime by the time they faced off, leading to a match that, in Angle’s words, could have been better. A Missed Clash of Titans It is a sentiment echoed by many wrestling enthusiasts who would have loved to see the collision between Angle’s technical mastery and Foley’s hard-hitting, no-nonsense style at the height of their respective careers. While the face-off in IMPACT Wrestling provided a taste of what could have been, it is a bitter-sweet reminder of a missed opportunity for a dream match-up. The regret expressed by Angle underscores the fleeting nature of professional wrestling, where stars may rise and fall before dream match-ups can come to fruition. It is a stark reminder to fans and the industry alike to seize opportunities for iconic match-ups when the competitors are still in their prime, creating spectacles that would forever be etched in the annals of wrestling history.
Kurt Angle expresses regret over not fighting Mick Foley in his WWE prime
The Attitude Era of WWE was marked by unforgettable rivalries and iconic matchups that have stood the test of time. Two of the era’s biggest stars, Mick Foley and Kurt Angle, are revered for their contributions to professional wrestling. However, fate played a peculiar hand, preventing them from ever facing each other during their respective primes in WWE. The missed opportunity haunted both legends, as they eventually clashed in TNA, but circumstances didn’t allow for the dream match they both envisioned. Recently, Kurt Angle opened up about their encounter in TNA, expressing his deep regret for not having the chance to compete against Foley during the peak of their illustrious careers. Kurt Angle expresses regret over never fighting Mick Foley in his prime In a recent episode of “The Kurt Angle Show,” the WWE Hall of Famer recalled his 2009 feud with Mick Foley in TNA. Unfortunately, an injury Angle sustained during the filming of a movie severely impacted his wrestling abilities ahead of their Victory Road 2009 match. Despite his struggles, Angle pushed forward, agreeing to a shorter match as a result of his condition. Reflecting on the bout, Angle expressed pride in their effort, but the regret of not having the opportunity to compete against Foley in their primes lingered. Both Angle and Foley shared the sentiment of not being in their prime during their TNA feud. Foley even expressed being fearful of competing against Angle due to perceived in-ring shortcomings at the time. For Angle, the desire to have faced Foley at the peak of their careers remained unfulfilled. The wrestling world can only imagine the epic encounter that could have unfolded if fate had allowed them to meet during their WWE heydays. In the same episode of “The Kurt Angle Show,” Angle reminisced about the Main Event Mafia faction in TNA, which brought together wrestling legends from various promotions. Spearheaded by Kevin Nash, the group sought to elevate the younger talent in TNA by engaging in compelling storylines and memorable matches. The addition of Mick Foley to the faction was seen as a significant boost, with Angle acknowledging Foley’s immense value to the company. Mick Foley’s presence in TNA was met with admiration and respect from Kurt Angle, who likened Foley’s impact to his own contribution to the promotion. Despite not being as active in the ring at the time, Foley’s presence carried immense significance, and his involvement further enriched the wrestling landscape.