Olympic champion and former WWE star Kurt Angle recently sat down with OutKick Dropkick to reflect on his professional wrestling legacy. While acknowledging his six world titles and Grand Slam achievement in WWE, Angle asserted that his “better career” unfolded in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he spent nearly a decade.

Why Angle favors TNA

Angle explained that many WWE fans never witnessed his TNA work, which he feels would have reshaped their perception of his abilities. “I had an incredible career in both WWE and TNA and I believe that I had a better career in TNA,” he said. He noted that, before the rise of AEW, TNA was “a far second place to WWE” in the United States, yet it cultivated a passionate global fan base.

Signature matches and rivalries

During his TNA tenure, Angle captured six world championships, two tag team titles and an X Division championship. He highlighted his bouts with Samoa Joe and AJ Styles as career‑defining moments. “Any match with Samoa Joe or AJ Styles doesn’t really matter; they’re both outstanding,” Angle told the outlet, referencing his debut against Joe at the Bound for Glory pay‑per‑view and his high‑flying contests with Styles.

Angle praised Joe’s “ground‑and‑pound” grappling style for complementing his own freestyle wrestling background, while noting that Styles’ athleticism added a dynamic contrast when the two shared the ring.

Unique TNA concepts

Angle expressed surprise that TNA’s distinctive match types have not yet migrated to WWE. He cited the “King of the Mountain” match—a reverse ladder concept where competitors strive to hang a championship belt above the cage—as a prime example of TNA’s creativity. “WWE got really creative at a certain point, and it would be great advice to the WWE to use some of those things,” he said, adding that the concepts were likely not patented and could be adapted with new branding.

Hall of Fame honors and future inductions

In 2013, Angle was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame alongside legends such as Sting, Jeff Jarrett and Gail Kim. The promotion announced that three new members—ODB, Amazing Red and Konnan—will join the Hall of Fame at the upcoming Bound for Glory event in October.

Legacy for fans

Angle’s comments serve as a reminder that his impact extends beyond the mainstream WWE spotlight. For fans who followed his TNA journey, his matches remain a testament to his versatility and willingness to innovate within the sport. As the wrestling landscape continues to evolve, Angle’s endorsement of TNA’s creative spirit underscores the lasting influence of the promotion on professional wrestling history.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.