The Kurt Angle Show - Royal Rumble Megasode [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Coming off Armageddon 99 and your victory over Steve Blackman you’re programmed to keep getting wins but at the same time the WWF is promoting a big debut and it will be of former ECW Champion Tazz. When your winning streak begins, were you told of a specific end date?

Was there any worry - considering you weren’t really sure why you would ever have to lose back in 1996 - of anyone coming to you asking for you to lose?

To open 2000, you’re beating the likes of Kane and the Rock by DQ to keep your undefeated streak going. You had to feel like you’re being groomed for a top spot when you’re going over these guys right?

When are you told in the run up to the Rumble that you would be wrestling Tazz and putting him over?

Had you ever had a real conversation with Tazz in the run up to the show? Or is the first time you sit down and work it all out is that night in the Garden?

Is it a disappointment to lose or the fact that you were able to help launch a star that night - even if creative didn’t really do anything with him afterwards - a crowning achievement for you?

Do you know if you were ever considered for the actual Rumble itself?

From the Observer review: “1. Tazz beat Kurt Angle in 3:16 with the choke. Angle looked like a total superstar coming out. Everything they did was really good, with a lot of good suplexes thrown in, but they were so rushed they were doing near falls before anyone even cared about the match. Angle took a great backdrop over the top rope and one time landed almost on his head from a suplex. After the suplex on his head, Taz delivered a head-and-arm suplex and a t-bone suplex before putting on the choke and the ref stopped the match. The gimmick they are doing is whether it's a choke or a sleeper. Angle in his post-match interview didn't know what happened and still thought he was undefeated. **”

First off for just under 5 minutes it’s a god damn shame. You two could’ve went much longer and had a great match could you not?

Tazz always had the reputation of being hard to deal with. Any issues with him?

The angle coming out of this was that you still thought you were undefeated because he used an illegal choke. Was there going to be a big return between you & Tazz planned or do you not know?

Moving on to 2001 the next Rumble and it’s a drastic change Kurt. In 2000 it’s you and Tazz in the opener and now at Rumble 2001 … you’re the World Wrestling Federation champion. At Armageddon you retain your title in a 6-way Hell in a Cell match. What a difference a year makes right Kurt?

In the Observer you’re called the most improved performer both in and out of the ring in the industry. That’s a high compliment from the notorious hard to please Dave Meltzer. Are you feeling that way as you move into 2001?

You’re mostly teaming with Edge and Christian at this time and they are your heaters I guess is the best way to put it. How much fun is it to work with them and the promos?

You’re put together with Trish Stratus to take on Triple H at the Rumble with Stephanie in Hunter’s corner. Before we get there in San Jose on Raw you steal the show as you cut the best promo while in the ring with two of the greatest promo men in the business - Vince McMahon & Steve Austin. How does it feel to be in the ring with these two and blow them away?

In the main event of that show Austin beats you by DQ in what is considered one of the best Raw main events in a couple of months. You invent Suplex City in this one as you hit Austin without about 10 different suplexes! This is after Austin’s neck injury … How much faith did Steve have in you to do these types of moves?

You lose via DQ when Hunter interferes and attacks Austin.

You’re working injured here as its reported in the Observer you have a strained shoulder. How does that affect you?

You’re moving back to a program that just had a cold end when your love triangle with Hunter and Stephanie ended and now Trish is kind of wedged in there. Did you feel comfortable with Trish being involved and do you think it fit the story?

Was there any talk of going back to the love triangle or is it a dead issue at that point?

Jim Ross wrote in the Ross Report at the time that he expected HHH to be the heel in your match. Is it tough to go into the match not knowing how the crowd is going to react?

From the Observer: “The WWF title match, where Kurt Angle retained the title over HHH due to interference from Austin, lacked a little in crowd reaction because both were heels. Even though the TV storyline seemed to push the idea of Angle as the face, the crowd seemed more towards cheering HHH.”

You’re put on before the Rumble. Do you feel the World Title match should’ve gone on last there?

Is it a struggle and battle to work heel vs. heel?

Are you disappointed or happy with the match when it’s over?

From the Observer: “4. Kurt Angle pinned HHH to retain the WWF title in 24:15. Although HHH had more cheers than Angle, fans overall didn't seem to know how to react, as it was quiet. Because they were going so long, they did long building spots, mainly based around HHH working Angle's left leg. He did a great job in that aspect. HHH went for the figure four, including doing the Ric Flair trick of grabbing the ropes. This set up Stratus jumping in to try and alert the ref and Stephanie attacking Stratus. They brawled, rolling over the Spanish announcers table. Vince came out to separate them, but he couldn't break them up. At one point Vince put Trish on his shoulders and was carrying her away, but Stephanie attacked Trish and Vince took a bump underneath. Actually all three did a really good job even with this segment taking several minutes. In a sense it broke the momentum of a good match, but the people were given the payoff of the angle teased between the women, and it also got them out of the way of being a focal part of the finish, which was necessary since Austin had to be. Hunter set up the pedigree, but this one was blocked. Angle did an inadvertent low blow and did a high-arching moonsault for a near fall. Give HHH credit for that one since Angle always misses his moonsault, and the one time he did hit it, it broke the forearm of Bob Holly. Ref Earl Hebner took a bump. Angle did a armdrag superplex but no ref to count. HHH smashed Angle's head into the steps and Hebner got caught in there and took a second bump. HHH grabbed the belt from Mark Eaton but before he could use it, Angle gave him a belly to belly. HHH came back with a pedigree after blocking Angle's belt shot but again no ref. Austin came out and attacked HHH, nailing him with a belt shot, and he bladed. Angle was still selling the pedigree stronger than the belt shot, so Austin hit HHH with the stunner and left, and Angle got the arm over him for the pin. ***¾”

Do you think the Trish - Stephanie - Vince drama took away from your match?

Do you think you needed the Austin interference or was it a necessary evil to get where they were going for WrestleMania?

Are you told at this point what your plan for Mania is considering you’re going to be working Kane? How much did that plan change considering you’re champion at the Rumble?

Moving on now Kurt to your first actual Royal Rumble in 2002. We’re coming off Vengeance where you help Chris Jericho become the first Undisputed Champion in professional wrestling. The next night on Raw - you have a new mix for your music. What do you remember of this and why was it changed?

At Raw you wrestle Rikishi and get stink faced, and then the next SmackDown you & Regal team up to lose to Rikishi & Edge. Are you feeling like you’ve been moved all the way down the card as you work the first match on each show?

You wrestle Chris Jericho and the Rock on a Raw episode from Miami. Being in the ring when the Rock’s music hits in his hometown has to be an experience does it not?

Jericho gets the win after you hit Rock with a DDT and Jericho steals the pin. How is it working with these two?

At Madison Square Garden Triple H returns and you’re the one who talks about how it shouldn’t be a big deal that HHH is returning. You said it took Hunter 8 months to return from a torn quad and you won a gold medal with a broken freaking neck. This is one of those promos that are long remembered. You’re in the building though - I’m assuming in Gorilla - when Hunter’s music hits for his return since you’re going to interrupt him. Do you remember the pop and the building shaking?

You also freaked out when Goldust is announced as participating in the Rumble. Do you think you’re back to being the geeky self instead of the top guy heavy heel?

It’s being reported that the nWo - Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash - are coming into the company. What do you remember hearing about this and were you concerned about them coming in?

You never worked with any of those guys - was anyone coming up to you regarding it telling you what to expect?

OK Kurt we’re at your first Rumble. For those of us who don’t know and really not many have ever talked about it…explain how the match is put together.

Is everyone in one room going over everything?

How much is called out in the ring or in the back?

You enter at #26. You throw out Kane and then get hit with one of the biggest frog splashes RVD ever did. You hit an Angle Slam on HHH, hit Austin with a bunch of Germans and then you toss out Austin. That’s a big moment is it not Kurt?

There’s always been talk that there are eliminations that are setting up WrestleMania. Do you know if there was ever any talk of you and Austin together at Mania before everything changes?

You get crushed with a chair shot from Austin and it’s down to just 3 people left…you…Hunter…AND MR PERFECT. Kurt were you surprised that Curt Hennig himself was part of the last 3?

You even take some of his old spots before HHH dumps him out. What was it like working with Curt?

You and Hunter go for another 2 minutes and the injury redemption story of Hunter is capped off by him eliminating you and winning the Rumble.

How hectic is working one of these matches and not trying to get hurt with all those bodies in there?

So Kurt out of your first 3 Rumbles … is the one where you retain the World Title your favorite?