Kurt Angle was recently interviewed by Wrestling Reality. He spoke about how it feels to be back home in the WWE, and more specifically, if there was any lingering acrimony about the way he left the company eleven years ago.
He says he spoke with Vince McMahon and all is forgiven.
"We touched briefly on the past and what went wrong. Vince said it was all water under the bridge. He was always like a father figure. We had a great relationship, then we didn’t talk for 11 years," Angle said.
"The problem is in 2006, when we (had the meeting), I asked for my released and WWE released me. We both didn’t get what we wanted. I wanted to continue to take my drugs and wrestle for the company on a part-time basis. Vince wanted me to go to rehab and wrestle full-time. We both wanted me to stay, but we both had different views on how I wanted to stay. Neither got what they wanted so I left the company. Vince wasn’t happy, I wasn’t happy."
Angle left the company and began headlining shows for WWE's top competitor at the time, TNA Impact Wrestling. He left that company in March of last year, and oddly enough, he last three matches were against two current WWE NXT wrestlers, Drew McIntyre and Bobby Roode, and one former WWE superstar, Bobby Lashley. Angle continued wrestling, and had several successful bouts on the independent circuit, before returning to the WWE fold, now as a Hall of Famer. It meant a lot to Angle to be invited back, and to have his return attached to such an honor.
"11 years later, (for Vince) to say it was water under the bridge and let’s move on, Vince showed me the type of person he really is. He’s always been giving and caring. He can be a hard ass, but when you’re a successful CEO like him you have to be. But he has a big heart and he takes care of the talent and I appreciate that about him. I just wish I would have done what he wanted me to do 11 years ago and I didn’t."
Angle is now the RAW General Manager, having taken over the position from the recently fired Mick Foley.
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