The Kurt Angle Show - Genesis 2006 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

So you discussed your debut at No Surrender but now we’re going to talk about the build of you and Samoa Joe at Genesis 2006. We have a lot to cover so let’s get started.

You debut at the pay-per-view after filming the vignettes. Let’s break down what’s next. What are you told your creative is going to be?

Were you watching TNA at the time at any point?

Let’s talk a little bit about the talent roster at the time. You have guys like Samoa Joe, Jeff Jarrett, AJ Styles, Christopher Daniels, Hernandez, Homicide, Christian Cage, Rhino, Senshi (Low-Ki), Chris Sabin, Abyss, Raven, Sting. This is a loaded talent roster Kurt, did you request to work with anyone in particular right off the bat?

You’re probably paid the most of any TNA wrestler at that point which Jeff Jarrett confirmed on his podcast a few weeks ago...you’re going to be a top guy. Did you have any discussions about title runs or anything like that? The legend is always when you hear about guys signing with companies that they’re going to be promised this and that...what are you promised?

Your first match announced for TNA is for Arena Monterrey for November 25th against Christian Cage. How big a deal is it for you to headline a TNA show in an arena that size because for those that don’t know it can hold 18,000 people?

It’s reported in the Observer … and I think this is hilarious … that the WWE sent a nasty legal letter to you with a series of demands. It’s noted that you’re not allowed to use the term “Angle Lock” for your Ankle Lock which I never remember them ever using either … you can’t be called “The Wrestling Machine” and you can’t have “Machine” on your mouthpiece. Do you remember anything else the WWE listed and what did you think of the letter?

It’s also said in the Observer that the Olympic Committee was the reason why the Olympic Slam was changed to the Angle Slam. Is that right?

On September 28th it’s announced by Jim Cornette that you were to be the Special Guest Enforcer at Bound for Glory for the Jeff Jarrett vs. Sting Title vs. Career match. Was this done to give you a spot in the main event on the biggest pay-per-view in TNA’s history without having your first match overshadow the rest of the show?

Your debut on TNA TV is a sit down interview spliced together into a 2 minute segment. Did you film this the first night in Nashville?

Here’s what aired: TNA: The Kurt Angle Interview From Impact

Was this the best way to put yourself on TV?

You do an interview with Bubba the Love Sponge and some media appearances and Kurt I’ll be honest in my research it seems like a lot of what you were talking about wasn’t TNA but it was about your release from the WWE, and Vince McMahon. Were you in the right state of mind to be doing media appearances at this point?

Were you really ready to be the top guy for TNA after everything you had and were going through?

What is your body’s status at this point? You’re off the road for a long period of time and not taking bumps...are you healed?

On October 19th your first in-ring segment for TNA airs. Samoa Joe is in the ring with Mike Tenay about him still having possession of the NWA World Title when your music hits and you come out to confront him. You’re eye to eye. Face to face with the NWA World Title between you. The crowd is at a fever pitch and then boom...head butt and Angle Slam. The crowd goes banana...and all of a sudden Samoa Joe appears behind you busted open while you’re holding the NWA World Title and everyone can see your Impact mouthpiece...and Joe spins you around hits an enziguri and while you two roll around Jarrett steals the belt back.

Kurt Angle TNA Debut [2006] confronts Samoa Joe

What do you remember of this? How excited were you? Any heat from Joe regarding the head butt? What did everyone think of it in terms of TNA office?

After the taping went off the air you announced that Vince McMahon could kiss your Olympic gold medal ass. Was this just a heat of the moment type of thing or was that really your mindset towards Vince at the time?

At Bound for Glory it’s written in the Observer that tickets for the show started to move faster once you’re announced for the show and is credited with the biggest pay-per-view buyrate in TNA’s history at that point. Do you think your presence was the reason for it?

Jim Cornette comes out and then you come out and cut a promo against Samoa Joe who also comes out and there’s a pull-apart brawl between you two. Did you know right away you two were going to be electric in the ring together?

It’s reported in the Observer that when Sting gets to the building for Bound for Glory he had no idea you were added to the match. Is that how you remember it?

From the Observer for the main event: “Ref Rudy Charles was

about to count to ten, ending the match, when Angle ran in and gave Charles the

Angle slam and took over as

ref. Sting used a Stinger splash and Scorpion death drop, but Jarrett kicked out.

Jarrett used a stroke on Sting and he kicked out. Jarrett was about to use an object,

but Sting took it away. Angle then took it from Sting, while Jarrett grabbed the

guitar and hit Sting. Sting no-sold the guitar shot and used the scorpion deathlock

for the submission.”

What did you think of this match and your role in it?

You’re used to working small shows in the WWE when you were in ECW but this is 3,800 people in an arena. Did you know how big it was going to be to help build the TNA brand when their biggest pay-per-view of the year draws 3,800 people?

TNA announces that their move to prime time and 2 hours will start on November 16th. Was this important to you when you signed regarding this?

From the Observer: “Kurt Angle and Vince Russo have been talking a lot because

Angle is being given a lot of power over his own programs. In many ways, it

appears that Angle is going to be the new Jeff Jarrett, as far as being the person the

shows are built around, which as long as he's healthy, is for the better.”

Kurt, did you have power over your own programs and what was your relationship like with Vince Russo at the time?

Also from the Observer: “Angle's

situation is interesting because he's watching everything closely and giving his

opinions on everything. His mentality is that they need to be a more serious edged

promotion. Unlike in ECW, where the wrestlers weren't in awe of him because

most had more experience then he did, and didn't like his giving advice and

suggestions, most of the guys here see him as a legit superstar and have a 180

degree different reaction when he takes time to give them suggestions”

Was it important to you to speak your mind and give your advice on the product? Who were the younger guys on the roster that were looking up to you that you took under your wing?

It’s announced that you and Joe will face off in a Dream Match at Genesis. Was there anybody else even considered to be your first big opponent?

You return to the former ECW Arena for your first match inside a TNA ring. You’re in the main event against Abyss. What do you remember of this and putting it together?

I have to ask...this is your first match in the 6-sided ring. What did you think of working in the ring and how different is it as a wrestler to not be in a squared circle?

You face off again against Abyss for your first match on TNA TV on the first two hour prime time episode of Impact. The show draws a 1.02 rating and 1.2 million viewers which is a 20% increase on the average rating at the time. The show is taped ahead of time though not live.

A lot to unpack here as I like to say. Is the rating a disappointment for you? Do you think it being taped ahead of time and having spoilers out there hurts that? Where do you stand on that issue?

You defeat Abyss in 14:30 which Meltzer rated ***¾ and you even used thumbtacks! Afterwards Joe lays you out and bloodies you up while Sting and Abyss brawl. Was this something you think you & Joe needed to heat up the match for the pay-per-view even though it’s your first pay-per-view match against Joe’s 17 month unbeaten streak?

Before we get to Genesis I have to ask Kurt about this story in the Observer. “Angle told Sabin that he was a great wrestler but that he didn’t like his look. Angle said he looked too dirty and didn’t stand out.

Angle later made the suggestion, and apparently was serious, that Sabin do a gimmick where he would be like Pig Pen in the old

“Peanuts” comic strip and have food and dirt all over him.”

Kurt, I want to take it one step further...not only did the Observer say this, but a good friend of yours had some comments in 2014 on a Highspots shoot interview...I want to hear what AJ Styles had to say about your arrival and then get your thoughts on all of this...PLAY CLIP

Well we’re here now Kurt! Your pay-per-view debut against Samoa Joe in the Impact Zone in front of 900 fans in Orlando. It’s the first time you’ve wrestled twice in a row in front of a television audience at the same place. What struck you as different in this type of setting?

From the Observer regarding your match… “Kurt Angle beat Samoa Joe in 13:31. The crowd was super hyped for this one. They started chanting “This is awesome” when they

locked up. Angle used an overhead belly-to-belly suplex and a clothesline over the top. The one thing about Angle is that he is so

intense in the ring he brings a level of believability in his matches that nobody else matches. Fans cheered both men, and there were

loud chants of “Joe is gonna kill you” and “Angle is gonna kill you.” Joe whipped Angle’s head hard into the guard rail. Joe used an

elbow suicida and then Angle came up bleeding badly after a nasty blade job, after being thrown hard into the ring steps. He was

bleeding all over the place. Joe was head-butting Angle as well as digging his fingers into the cut and spreading it. Joe got a near fall

with a powerslam. Angle was sitting on the top rope and caught Joe in a guillotine. Joe tried to slam Angle out of it, but Angle turned

it into a DDT. Angle used three German suplexes but Joe kicked out. Joe used the muscle buster but Angle kicked out. Angle used the

Olympic slam but Joe kicked out. Angle went for the ankle lock, but Joe escaped and turned it into a choke. Angle reversed it back into

the ankle lock, but Joe kicked out of it. Joe missed a tackle and Angle used the Olympic slam a second time. It was funny, because

when Angle went for the ankle lock the first time he had pulled down his straps. So he had to pull up his straps, and then pull them

back down and put on the ankle lock. Joe struggled until he was near the ropes but never got to the ropes and finally tapped out. Fans

started chanting “You tapped out” at Joe. Joe said that on this day, Angle was the better man, but he wanted a rematch and wanted to

shake his hand. Angle blew him off and left, and went to the heel entrance. Joe then vowed that they would have to do things the hard

way. ****¼

The match was booked to go long, and everyone on the

undercard was given strong warnings not to go over their allotted time because they needed time for Angle vs. Joe. Angle was calling

the match and it was his call to go home way early. If it was because he felt going longer would hurt the match, or it’s a physical issue,

nobody really knows, other than it was a surprise and the show ended 10-15 minutes earlier than scheduled. “

Kurt tell me about the match. Why did you call it to end it early? Was it an injury or you just felt it was time to go home?

The rumor and innuendo is that there was a spot in your match where you had planned to German Joe 10 times and you only did it 3. Did you gas out from not working as often and as usual you had built your body used to from the WWE road schedule?

Did Joe have any issue with his winning streak ending against you?

Why act heelish here? Was this what you wanted as a character to be a heel and you knew you were going to be a babyface in the beginning?

What did you think of the match? Was it what you wanted it to be as your first big match?

Did you know after this first match with Joe...My god, there is something special here with this guy and we are going to do great business together...or did that come later?