The Kurt Angle Show - Kurt in Developmental [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Today we're talking about when you got started in developmental!

Can you tell us how the WWF described Developmental to you?

Were you told you were sent to various promotions until you were ready for the main roster?

Were you going to these buildings in the beginning going - what the hell am I doing here?

The first match we could find for you was in New England for a promotion called WWA where you would take on Bruce’s brother Tom Prichard in Salem, Mass and he would get the win. Any memories of this match or working with Tom?

How much training did you have with him personally?

Did you work it all out ahead of time?

Wrestling him in front of a crowd - what was it like to do it for the first time?

How important was it to work Tom in that first match?

The next night, you defeated Shawn Stasiak in Newburyport, MA

What was different about wrestling Shawn compared to Tom?

How did it feel to get your first victory?

Any memories of Shawn Stasiak - your future first pay-per-view opponent in the WWF?

The following night you would defeat Christian in Quincy, Mass - it’s crazy to see Christian back in the ring in AEW now isn’t it?

How good was he back then?

You would also win a battle royal later that night. Working twice in one night that early in the career huh?

How were you feeling after your first few matches?

Any funny ribs - or did anyone try anything with you being the gold medalist?

You would wrestle Tiger Ali Singh in the Northeast as well and would continue working before wrestling Steve Bradley at a pretty big time indie promotion - PCW in Pennsylvania. Steve Bradley would play a big role in your time during this process wouldn’t he?

Were you surprised he never made it to the main roster at any point in time for the WWF?

You’d also wrestle various indies as well as ECWA where Dok Hendrix - Michael Hayes - was on the show. Was this your first time meeting him?

In March you would do your angle with Tiger Ali Singh on Sunday Night in Pittsburgh.

From the Observer

Tiger Ali Singh came to the ring and did his anti–American bit. He offered $500 to anyone in the crowd who would blow his nose on the American flag. He called Olympian Kurt Angle (who just happened to be sitting in the crowd) into the ring. Angle refused so Tiger upped the offer a couple of times and finally hit $5,000. Angle teased blowing his nose on the American flag but instead blew it on the Indian flag. Tiger got mad and went after Angle but Angle tossed him around the ring like a rag doll. A pretty good debut for Angle.

This was a good debut but you got some heat about the indian flag didn’t you?

Did anything change for you after appearing on TV?

You would be sent to Memphis and wrestle for Power Pro Wrestling. What was it like in Memphis?

Everyone has always told these horror stories regarding Memphis - how were you treated considering you were an Olympic gold medalist and signed to the main roster?

Let’s take a look at your debut against the Yellow Jacket! Any idea who that was?

Kurt Angle beat The Yellow Jacket. Angle hit a belly–to–belly suplex and immediately scored the pin.

Man do you even recognize that guy (being Kurt)

The next week you’re wrestling Tony Falk but first you have to cut a promo…

From the Observer

Dave Brown called out Kurt Angle. Evidently Angle’s interview last week came off too heelish so he said he sounded like a cocky jerk the week before. He claimed that the pro’s in the back made him feel that way. He told the fans he appreciated their support…

Is this just you learning how to be a character?

“PPW Memphis 4/3/99:

Kurt Angle beat Bulldog Raines with the belly–to–belly suplex. Angle and Raines shook hands before the match. During the match, a soundbite aired of Angle telling Mic Tierny he wasn’t through with him yet. Angle wrestled his longest match to date.”

Was the plan to get you acclimated before you would go any farther?

“PPW Memphis 4/10/99:

Kurt Angle beat Steve Bradley by countout. Angle wore a mouth–guard during the match. Late in the match, Bradley hit a moonsault and choked Angle on the ropes. Angle came back and hit a bodypress and a belly–to–belly. Bradley left the ring, told the crowd he wanted better competition, and was counted out.”

How good was Steve Bradley Kurt?

Why did you wear the mouth guard here? Was that something you wish you did more of in your main roster run?

When you’re not working Memphis you’re working dark matches at the WWF TV tapings. What can you tell us were the differences between doing the WWF and Memphis?

Anybody give you any shit while you were in Memphis and going to the WWF?

Some of the names you would work while at the WWF TVs were Brian Christopher, Scott Taylor, Owen Hart, Terry Taylor, Nick Dinsmore, Rob Conway, Hardcore Holly, Matt Hardy, Shawn Stasiak (as Meat), Funaki, Taka Michinoku, Ace Darling, Stevie Richards and Joey Abs of the Mean Street Posse.

Any of those matches stick out more than others?

Any awful matches that when you got done you were like - what am I doing here?

Did you ever question what you were doing while you were going through this process?

Who was your main office contact? JR, Bruce Prichard, someone else?

How often would they check in?

You continue your time in Memphis and on April 16th you would defeat Mic Tierney but Bruce Prichard was in attendance. Did you get a status update on your work while you were there?

One of your opponents would eventually be Crash Holly but he was known then as Erin O’Grady. Any memories of working with Crash?

You would make a save for Baldo - the future Albert/Tensai - aka Matt Bloom of the WWE PC - from Vic Grimes and would deliver a massive belly-to-belly suplex. It’s weird having cooperation for that type of stuff considering for years everybody would be fighting you!

Glen Kulka had a cult following coming from Canada and being associated with Canadian football - what did you think of him?

In May you would win a battle royal to earn a shot for the PPW Title. Did you think you would ever be champion while you were down there?

Were the WWF getting tapes of your work and letting you know what they would like you do to differently or any advice?

Who was your main coach while in Memphis? Dr. Tom?

You would never be beaten during this run - was that plan from the beginning?

In late July - Bruce would become an on-screen talent…

“Dave Brown and Corey Maclin hyped the show and introduced Bruce Prichard. Prichard talked about the great talent in PPW and said he keeps a close eye on them for the WWF. Prichard called out Kurt Angle and Steve Bradley. Only Angle came out which seemed to legitimately confuse everyone. Prichard told Angle he looked sharp and just needed to get more aggressive. Angle challenged J.R. Smooth to a title match. Smooth, his lady, and “Black Sheep” Bobby Doll came out. Smooth cut a promo on Angle and told Prichard not to “eye my girl.” Smooth agreed to give Angle a title match but told him, “You better eat your Wheaties.” Angle thanked Smooth for the title match... “

You’d win the match with a belly-to-belly suplex off the top and the title! Was this a big deal to you?

Was the Olympic Slam even a consideration for a finisher at this point?

You’d wrestle Vic Grimes as your first title defense. Any memories of working with a big guy like Vic?

How different was it to works someone of his size?

In early August you’d finally lose for the first time when Jim Cornette came out and helped Bradley get the win and the title from you. Was it different losing?

What was Cornette like to work with here?

On the next TV show…

Highlights aired of Cornette helping Steve Bradley win the PPW Title from Kurt Angle at the New Daisy Theater show... Cornette and Bradley came out for a promo. Bradley claimed to be the best wrestler in the country and ripped on Bruce Prichard. Cornette said Bradley has the ability to outshine Rock and Shawn Michaels. Cornette called out Randy Hales and told him to sign over half of the company to him. Hales declined and ordered a rematch between Bradley and Angle. Kevin Christian ran out and said he didn’t sign that match but Hales vetoed him and said the match would take place…

Kurt Angle (w/Brandon Baxter) beat Steve Bradley (w/Jim Cornette) by a DQ. Angle hit a belly–to–back suplex. Bradley came back with a headstand springboard elbow and a suplex on Angle. [C] Cornette hit Angle with a tennis racket while the ref was distracted by Bradley. Angle came back with a superplex and followed up with a powerslam and a belly–to–belly suplex. Angle went for the pin but Cornette pulled the ref out of the ring. Baxter ran over and attacked Cornette. In the ring, Bradley hit Angle with the tennis racket which the ref saw. The ref DQ’d Bradley but was then laid out by Cornette.

This is the best way to learn isn’t it? Just get in the ring, cut the promos, work with good wrestlers and great managers like Cornette right?

Did you know at this point your time in Memphis was going to be winding down?

Were you ready to get out of Memphis? Did you like or hate it there?

What did you think of all this? Was this entertaining to you?

You’re booked in your first 30-minute marathon match against Steve Bradley and Bradley would get the win. Were you nervous about working for 30 minutes?

In September:

Kurt Angle & Vic Grimes & Wolfie D beat Mic Tierney & Steve Bradley & Glen Kulka (w/Kevin Christian). The heels continued to gang up on Wolfie until he made the hot tag to Angle. Tony Falk ran in to help the heels but Angle hit him with a belly–to–belly. Baxter ran in and beat up Christian. In the ring, Wolfie hit Bradley with a hubcap and Angle hit Bradley with his finisher and got the pin... Angle came out for a promo and said he wants a shot at Bradley’s belt. Wolfie ran out and complained that he helped Angle win the match. Angle said he deserves the title match because he’s been in PPW longer. Wolfie got hot and ran down his Memphis history. Corey Maclin told them to have a match to determine the number one contender and both men agreed...

Wolfie D has quite the reputation in Memphis. Any issues with him?

Kurt Angle fought Wolfie D to a no–contest. Good action. Wolfie was the first to break the rules in the match between two babyfaces when he raked Angle’s eyes. Angle came back with an Angleplex. Angle set up for the belly–to–belly but Wolfie bit his nose to stop the move. Wolfie came back with a bodypress for a nearfall. In the end, Angle hit Wolfie with a top rope belly–to–belly but the ref was accidentally bumped. Bradley, Tierney, and Kulka ran in to end the match. The heels beat up Angle and Wolfie until Grimes ran them off

Was this when you really started to learn how to be a babyface?

In early October you’d finish up with PPW as you’d make the transition to the main roster.

“4) Kurt Angle beat Mic Tierney. Good action throughout the match. Late in the match, Tierney locked in his submission finisher on Angle, but Angle got to the ropes. Angle hit the belly–to–belly for the win...

Angle cut a promo and said his match with Wolfie (at the NDT) was just a warm–up for his title match with Bradley. Angle said Wolfie’s PG13 gimmick died three years ago. He said while Wolfie carries around a hub–cap, he carries around an Olympic gold medal. A very good interview. The best Angle has done as he is developing a cocky persona... Wolfie cut a promo and said Angle’s medal never won him a match, unlike his hub–cap

Were there plans for more appearances with them because it really seemed like you were destined to go back?

Who were some of the people you missed when you left Memphis?

Looking back - how much did you learn from your time in Memphis? Was it invaluable?