The Kurt Angle Show - TNA Lockdown 2012 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Today we’re here to discuss your match with Jeff Hardy at Lockdown 2012 and the build to it. You have to always enjoy working Jeff don’t you?

At Victory Road to build to this match you defeated Jeff Hardy by cradling him but you also grab the ropes for the pin. I’m assuming this is done to continue to build to another match right?

Ric Flair appears to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame for the second time as a member of the Four Horsemen. Are you surprised TNA let him do the Hall of Fame while under contract with them?

The talk at the time was that WWE offered anyone at any point in time to TNA to get Flair to come in. Were you ever asked about what TNA should do?

It’s reported in the Observer that you’re in two three-way main events at live events against James Storm & Bully Ray and that you were taking it easy. Do you remember what your body’s condition was at this time? How bad are you hurting?

Supposedly you were only doing these live events because of how close they were to Pittsburgh. Was it important for you to still make these shows?

In previous weeks you had Garett Bischoff take you the distance in a 5 minute Angle challenge and you come back on Impact and challenge him this time to a 3 minute challenge. Do you think it made sense to include you in the Bischoff program?

Gunner attacks Garett in under 3 minutes and it ends in a DQ but this is some weird odd stuff here Kurt.
You help Mr. Anderson defeat Jeff on Impact and the match is designed that if Hardy loses you will not give him a rematch at Lockdown. The story has always been that Impact hoped Mr. Anderson would be their “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Do you think it was booking or Anderson himself that prevented that from happening?

On Impact Jeff Hardy challenges you to a cage match at Lockdown. When you’re in the ring with Jeff you know you’re going to be a part of some death defying stuff. But being inside a cage you know there’s got to be the idea of something happening from high up top. Are you worried or excited for that type of scenario?

Edge is the main eventer of the WWE Hall of Fame. We know later on he’ll return to the company but you had to be proud to see him inducted right? He did mention you in his speech so that had to be a highlight did it not?

Brock Lesnar returns to the WWE the night after WrestleMania. After all his issues with the company, lawsuits, etc...that had to be a glimmer of hope that one day you’d be able to work it all over right?

Do you remember if you had a relationship with Brock around this time? Were you surprised he returned after everything he had gone through with the WWE?

During this time period it’s reported you are actively training for the Olympic trials but you had to pull out when you injured your hamstring. How serious were you about pursuing the Olympics here?

Hulk Hogan is back being the babyface commissioner for Impact and decides to make you vs. Jeff on Impact. Did you like Hogan in this position for Impact? Was this the best one for him to be in?

In the match on Impact you end up bleeding and bump Brian Hebner. Hardy hits the twist of fate on you and you roll out of the ring and get counted out. Meltzer pays you a hell of a compliment

in the match, “Kurt may be the one guy who could jump into a drained swimming pool, break all kinds of bones, tape himself up, and do a *** match, but that doesn’t mean that it is recommended behavior.”

Were you just forcing yourself out there in regards to your health?

Since you walk out Hogan makes you vs. Hardy in the cage at Lockdown

We’re here at the match now Kurt!

Jeff Hardy Vs. Kurt Angle (Lockdown 2012)

The match between you & Jeff is rated as the best match from the Wrestling Observer readers.

“6. Jeff Hardy beat Kurt Angle after a swanton off the top of the cage in 14:50. Dueling chants with the men cheering for Angle and the women for Hardy, but not a lot of women go to TNA shows so Angle was the favorite. Hardy juiced about 5:00 into the match. Hardy used the whisper in the wind for a near fall. He hit the twist of fate and went to the top. Angle got up and ran up the ropes and gave Hardy an Olympic slam off the top rope. Hardy used a Vader reverse splash off the top for a near fall. Crowd was chanting “this is awesome.” Hardy considered leaving the cage to win but Angle grabbed his ankle and put on the ankle lock. Hardy reversed into an ankle lock of his own. Angle teased tapping out but refused and escaped. Hardy delivered a twist of fate again. He climbed to the top for a swanton, hit it and Angle kicked out. Hardy then climbed to the top of the cage, delivered the swanton off the top of the cage for the pin. Angle was then helped to the back. ***3⁄4”

What did you think of the match?

Were these mutual ideas or did Jeff come up with more or did you?

Is it easier working someone with a body type like Jeff?

How did it feel taking the Swanton off the top of the cage compared to the top rope?