Kurt Angle Skipped 2004 Olympics Because He Didn’t Want To Risk Losing

Kurt Angle might be known as one of the best amateur wrestlers of his time. He is also considered one of the greatest pro-wrestlers during his time in WWE and TNA/IMPACT. Angle has gone head-to-head in epic feuds against Brock Lensar, Eddie Guerrero, and The Undertaker, among others. However, many wondered why he didn’t compete in the Olympics again.

Speaking on The Kurt Angle Show, the 53-year-old icon detailed why he didn’t take part in another go-round at the Olympics. According to Angle, he was at a crossroads with the pros and cons of possibly competing again.

“Yes, I was seriously considering it. I thought about it day and night all the time. The problem is what Dave Meltzer said, he’s right. If I would have won the Olympic gold medal in 2004, I would have become the biggest star of all time. But if I don’t win the Olympic gold medal, even a bronze or a silver, I’m screwed.”

“So I didn’t want to take that chance by leaving the company and going to the Olympics, and it was a long shot. I mean, I really for me to win the gold medal, it was like 1000 to 1 odds, it really was because I was out of the sport for eight years and come back and get yourself ready, It’s gonna take a lot more than a year of training to do that.

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We may never know if Angle would’ve returned and earned more gold medals. However, pro wrestling fans are glad to see Angle as “The Wrestling Machine” and dominated any promotion he was in from the late 90s to the 2010s. Those are stories to reflect on for years to come.

What’s your take on this? Sound off in the comments!