Transcript Credit: Haydn
Gleed and Prowrestling.net
Kurt Angle recently appeared
on Jim Ross’ podcast, here are the highlights…
Would Angle be
interested in returning to the WWE?: “Without a doubt, it’s hard in
the business now, you really want security, not that I’m hurting financially,
TNA has treated me well, but nobody is allowed to talk. I can’t approach WWE
right now, not under my contract, I believe there was a lawsuit a couple of
years ago. I can’t really go there and meet with Vince or Triple H or Stephanie,
it’s almost like if I wait out my contract and talk to them then, do I know if
they are interested? They really haven’t told me, can I call somebody to ask
somebody, I’m not going to get a complete 100 percent answer. So, are they
interested? If they are, how do I find out? I don’t know. So do I sign with TNA?
I could sign tomorrow.”
On how things have
been in TNA recently and the impact of John Gaburick: “This past year
has been a really tough roller coaster ride for me. Six months ago I would have
told you, yes, I’m going back to WWE, I’m tired of this crap. I didn’t like the
way I was being booked. A guy named John Gaburick came into TNA and he’s been
doing things a lot better, it’s hard for him as he has a lot hats right now. He
is a hard worker and he knows what he’s doing, and I have a great relationship
with him. I have a great relationship with Dixie (Carter), from financial points
to communication, but at the same time I got tired of the way I was being booked
and I just wanted out. This past six months I kinda looked at it and said it’s
not so bad, let me see if I can really help this company.”
Would the WWE
medical testing be an issue: “Not at this point. A year ago, yes. I
was under a lot of doctor prescription, but still, I was taking pain killers, I
was taking Xanax, and drinking alcohol – not that that’s illegal, but I got
myself into a lot of trouble. It was time for me to go clean, it wasn’t just for
me but for my family, it was about my career, I’ve been clean and sober for 11
months now, and I enjoy it. I have a better time with my family, I’m more clear
minded, I’m listening to my body. As for the physical, I’ve seen and heard
rumors – Kurt Angle can’t pass the physical, gosh dang, I don’t have a problem
passing the physical. My neck has no issues. Yeah, my knee I’ve just had it
done, but I’m going bounce back. I already know right now with my progression,
I’m going to be just fine. There isn’t a physical I won’t pass. I will pass it.
The drug testing? I’m clean, I’m not taking anything, so I don’t really have
anything to be afraid of.”
What he believes led
to the Benoit family tragedy: “It’s hard, you try to think about it,
you try to think how was his marriage, was he really that affected by his
wrestling? I didn’t see it, and for WWE to have take any kind of blame for
Chris’s decision, for whatever reason he did it, I think that’s a shame. I don’t
think WWE is at fault. I believe that, whatever Chris did, whatever issues he
had, I believe it was from relationship standards. I’m not saying that, I would
never even thought that Chris would have think about doing something like that.
I’m not a doctor. I’m not a professional, I don’t know why he did it. Whether he
had head trauma or whatever it is, all I know Chris seemed to be okay. He didn’t
have any health issues that you could see.”
