Kurt Angle
Jerry Lawler reminds us just who Kurt Angle is before playing the awesome video package for the man.
“In less than TWO YEARS, @RealKurtAngle became the measuring stick for all @WWE Superstars!” – @JohnCena #WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/9cCmr5DqKP
— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2017
John Cena comes out to induct Kurt Angle. The fans in the arena give a loud “let’s go Miz” chant, to which we see Miz looking baffled in the crowd. Cena jokes with the crowd before saying that this next moment is long overdue. He says there aren’t words to describe just how great this next person is, because he is in a class all by himself. Never before and never again will we have someone so athletically gifted with superhuman strength, who would have you belly-laughing right before running circles around you.
Cena touts Angle’s accomplishments. saying they are of mythical proportions. Cena says that within two years, Angle became the measuring stick. His legend rose so fast that people would line-up to test if Angle was as fast and strong as they said he was. A lot of times, off camera and even more on camera. He could tie you in a knot and throw someone twice his size over his head. And damn, was he funny. He made us cheer, he made us watch, and he made us believe. Cena says that Angle is the kind of guy who you don’t believe to be a true story but it’s true, it’s damn true.
Olympic gold medalist. @WWE Champion. @RealKurtAngle is the FINAL inductee in the 2017 #WWEHOF! @WWENetwork pic.twitter.com/jO8Kyoup6W
— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2017
Angle comes out to a standing ovation and the loudest pop of the night from the crowd. He thanks everyone and starts to tear-up as the applause refuses to end. He says “it’s great to be back home.”
Angle thanks Cena for the speech and the fans chant for “one more match”. He says he has tons of respect for John Cena. In 1996 when he won his Olympic medal, Vince McMahon invited him to his office and offered him a huge contract. He said he didn’t want to pass on the offer but he told Vince if he signed he could never lose a match. He laughs and says he didn’t hear from Vince again. Two years later he fell in love with Raw Is War. He called WWE and talked to Jim Ross, who told him to come and try-out like everyone else.
He says he worked his ass off and picked it up faster than anyone, but he had a ton of help: Jim Ross, Dory Funk Jr, Tom and Bruce Pritchard, Gerry Brisco and Pat Patterson, John Lauranitis, Arn Anderson, Dean Malenko, Fit Finlay, Terry Taylor and two unsung heroes who’ve passed on: Steve Bradley and Shawn Evans.
His first PPV was 12 months after he started training, which was nothing. He says the reason he succeeded was because of unselfish people like Edge & Christian, The Hardy’s, Jericho, Eddie Guerrero, Stone Cold, The Rock, Triple H, Undertaker, Kane, Big Show, Rikishi, and more. He says he was one of the best in the business after a year or two, and he rhymes off some his best opponents.
He’s just a SEXY KURT… He’ll make your ANKLE HURT! #WWEHOF @RealKurtAngle @ShawnMichaels @WWENetwork pic.twitter.com/oWEQu1jAZ4
— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2017
Angle says he is here tonight to give some advice to the sports entertainers in the crowd. He says he’s done a lot of good and bad in his life, and he tells them to limit their mistakes. Follow protocol, follow the rules, and don’t be the person they say, “could have been the greatest of all-time, if they’d stayed out of trouble”. He knows how that feels. He goes on to tell them to take chances, especially with personality and character. Sometimes you make fun or yourself and it works in your favour. He mentions the tiny cowboy hat and out comes a stage hand with said hat. He asks if they think he really wanted to do that with Stone Cold and Vince? Then came the wig, which he dons, and says he made Hulk Hogan tap-out wearing that.
He reminds us when he drove a moped down to to wrestle the American Badass, having a battle-rap with John Cena, or singing Sexy Kurt. He tells the superstars that you’ve gotta make moments. He says fans will remember your matches but they want those character moments and they live forever. His favourite moment of all-time is the milk truck. He thanks God for doing what he does. He thanks the WWE Universe for making it fun no matter what. He thanks his brothers, sister, mom and dad. He thanks his kids and his wife, who loved him at his worst and his current best. He says he’s going to celebrate this induction the only way he knows how; he gets two cartons of milk, which he pours all over himself to end his speech.
.@RealKurtAngle is now an OFFICIAL member of the #WWEHOF Class of 2017! It’s true…. IT’S DAMN TRUE!!!! pic.twitter.com/MdzXn4jiYj
— WWE (@WWE) April 1, 2017
That’s it for the 2017 Hall Of Fame. What did you think? Who was your favourite inductee? Who do you wanna see next year? Let us know in the comments and remember to come back here tomorrow night for NXT TakeOver: Orlando! Until then, safe travels.