The Kurt Angle Show - King of the Ring 2000 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

We’re coming off Judgment Day 2000 and before we get into what you did at that show the main event is the classic Iron Man Match with Shawn Michaels as the referee with Triple H taking on the Rock and it also features the Undertaker’s return as the American Badass in his first gimmick change. Is this your first time meeting Shawn or had you already met him?

What did you think of Taker’s change from the Deadman to the American Badass?

Now at the actual show you, Edge & Christian took on Rikishi & Too Cool of Grandmaster Sexay & Scotty Too Hotty. I bring this up because it’s written in the Observer that the pin of this match happens way before it’s supposed to. Brian Christopher legdropped Edge off the top rope - Rikishi rolls over - the pin is counted even though Edge kicks out and it’s reported in the Observer you were late getting there. What do you remember of this?

It is reported that the right team won though is that also correct?

What did you think of the Too Cool & Rikishi combination?

Coming out of that show did you know if the plan was for you to win the King of the Ring tournament?

The next night on Raw a re-do match of sorts is done with the same 6-man and this time you get the pin with a small package on Scotty 2 Hotty. Any idea why the same match happened the next night this time with you getting the win?

On SmackDown that week you take on Chris Benoit in an Intercontiental Title match that ends when Hardcore Holly interferes and hits you with a chair. Was there plans for you to feud with Holly at this time that you remember?

You’re on the road working singles matches with Rikishi. At this point are you guys getting ready for working the pay-per-view or is this just who you’re married up to on the house shows?

Any funny ribs about taking the Stinkface?

At Raw you take on Eddie Guerrero for the European Title but Chyna gives you a low blow and Eddie picks up the win. This original incarnation of “Latino Heat” with Chyna was really fun to watch. How long did it take for you to get to know the real Eddie once he came over from WCW?

At SmackDown you announce you’re going to win the King of the Ring after you qualify for the tournament - which you do after defeating Bradshaw. Right after though Bradshaw gives you a lariat and leaves you laying. What do you think of booking that sees a heel get a win and a babyface immediately after gets their comeuppance?

What is it like taking a Bradshaw lariat?

On Raw you team up with Edge & Christian to take on the Dudleys & Chris Jericho and you get the win over Bubba with the Olympic Slam but afterwards Jericho puts you in the Walls before you get a 3D through a table. Is it hard to build momentum when you’re getting wins and immediately after getting killed by babyfaces?

What’s it like working the Dudleys?

At the next SmackDown the Dudleys end up defeating you, Edge & Christian in a handicap match but I bring this show up for a different reason. It’s reported there’s a meeting that day about moves the WWF were banning including the tombstone piledriver, DDTs, brainbusters, and some suplexes. This is a major part of your moveset at the time. What do you remember of this and did it provide any issues to you?

What did you think of the companies decree to make it safer for the boys in the ring and the company had to step in because otherwise the boys wouldn’t change is that a fair assessment?

Do you remember a piledriver, brainbuster, DDT or suplex that really rung your bell?

At Raw on June 12th something interesting happens. Stephanie McMahon is defending the Women’s Title against Lita and Steph gets the win … when you come running out and hit Lita with the Olympic Slam. HHH seems happy but when you & Stephanie start hugging…he gets annoyed. This is the first circumstance of you & Stephanie being…really friendly. Is it nerve wracking at this point in time to be working like this with the boss’ daughter?

The next night at a sold out Allstate Arena you go one-on-one with the Great One - the Rock - which ends in a DQ when HHH interferes. This is a bit of an elevation for you at this point is it not?

Brock Lesnar is signed by the WWF at this time to report to OVW. Did you have any contact with Brock being a former amateur wrestler to convince him to come in or was that all handled by the office?

On June 16th you go to Puerto Rico and work for IWA Puerto Rico for their big show and you defeat Perry Saturn. Was this your first time wrestling in Puerto Rico? How different was it down there compared to the mainland of the United States?

It is reported in the Observer at this time that you were in line for a big push. When this happens does someone in the office come to you and say, this is what we’re going to be doing and where we’re going…or is it Vince or someone else? Can you talk us through that?

You open Raw in Nashville on June 19th and beat Buh Buh Ray again clean in the middle of the ring and Meltzer would put over that it’s the best match on the whole show. Are you hearing that from the agents that you’re constantly having the best match on the show at this point in time?

In Memphis for the SmackDown tapings you’re part of a 3-man tag team gauntlet match. The Rock, Kane & Undertaker - who are scheduled to take on Triple H & the McMahons in the main event of the pay-per-view first take on DX & Bull Buchanan and then defeat you, Edge & Christian and then also defeat T&A and Val Venis before you all beat them down and help the McMahons get the win. There’s a lot going on when there’s almost 15 guys in a ring - what’s your goal? Not to get hurt?

It’s reported in the Observer that the plan is to move you away from the comedy of Edge & Christian and more to a serious role as you’re getting prepared for your push. Are you told directly to tone down certain aspects or is it more just moving you away from Edge & Christian?

You head to OVW to work the Louisville Gardens for their big show and you defeat The Collector, real name Sylvester Terkay. This is one of Terkay’s first pro matches and Terkay is an interesting man with his history with you. He lost to you in the NCAA finals in 1992. It’s reported that since Terkay was so green you two would work a “shootfight” in the beginning before it moved into a traditional wrestling match that you would win. What do you remember of this - and do you think Terkay ever had a chance to make it in professional wrestling?

You wrestle Rikishi the night before the pay-per-view in Madison Square Garden and Rikishi gets the win. You two are ready for the next night right?

Well we’re here Kurt! King of the Ring 2000 from Boston, Mass. The story of the show is Rikishi defeats Benoit via DQ when Benoit hits him with a chair and injures his shoulder.

Next we have you vs. Jericho. From the Observer: “4. Kurt Angle pinned Chris Jericho in 9:50. This was a really good match with a somewhat weak finish. Both did a lot of great moves. Jericho hit the lionsault but Angle got his foot on the ropes. Jericho hit a missile dropkick and a springboard dropkick as well as a Frankensteiner off the top. Angle crossed up Jericho's usual facebuster spot with a hard clothesline. Jericho got out of the slam, then put Angle in the lion tamer when Stephanie McMahon came out. Angle was tapping but ref Teddy Long missed it, and was then bumped. Stephanie went to hit Jericho with the belt, but he moved and she hit Angle. Actually, she missed Angle by way too much, but he took the bump anyway, being that this is slapstick entertainment and you can do things like that. Jericho kissed Stephanie, but when he turned around, Angle used the Olympic slam for the pin. ***¼”

I mean Kurt here you are with Stephanie McMahon coming out to save you! What did you think of the match with Chris?

Now you’re one match through. How difficult is it putting three matches together in one night considering you have three different opponents?

Rikishi defeats Val Venis in the semi-finals but once again Val does some more damage to Rikishi’s shoulder leaving him to a disadvantage for the finals.

You get to the finals by defeating Crash Holly. From the Observer: “7. Angle pinned Crash in 3:58. Angle threw all kinds of great suplexes. Fans really didn't care. Angle scored the clean pin with a hotshot and an Olympic slam. It was real good while it lasted, but was way too short. **¼”

For those that don’t know Crash Holly - Erin O’Grady - was really one of the better workers. What did you think of working with Crash here and Crash as a person in general?

The next match Kurt I have to bring up. The Evening Gown Mask between Pat Patterson against Gerald Brisco for the Hardcore title…did you watch this godawful mess?

In the finals of King of the Ring tournament…you take on Rikishi. From the Observer: “10. Angle pinned Rikishi with a belly-to-belly superplex in 5:56. Rikishi came out throwing blow after blow with the right arm that both Benoit and Venis had destroyed in their post-match attacks until finally starting to sell it. Rikishi kicked out of the Olympic splash before the finish. Very disappointing finale. *¾”

Was it disappointing to you? Did you guys just not have enough time? Or was Rikishi so blown up from working two previous matches you guys had to just get your shit in and get out?

Is it tough to work a guy the size of Rikishi?

The next night on Raw you’ve got a ridiculously large rown, a robe and scepter and you’re officially King of the Ring! You’re supposed to have a coronation but first Shawn Michaels breaks your throne and later HHH beats you up wearing the crown!

Do you still have any of the king props still Kurt?

How big a deal is this to you at this point in your career? I know you’ve already won the IC and European title but still this is an accomplishment for you is it not?