The Kurt Angle Show - Vengeance 2006 [Show Notes] (Patreon)

We’re going to get right into it - and we’re talking about 2006 and starting off your run in ECW. One Night Stand takes place on June 11th and you’re working with Randy Orton…was Randy one of your favorite opponents?

You would get the win to launch your run in ECW via submission with the ankle lock at the Hammerstein Ballroom, and be sure to check that episode out in our archives - but the run you were about to prepare for in ECW - you’re still going to be working against Randy at the upcoming pay-per-view on Vengeance as announced on Raw. Do you think you were worried about not being on Raw and being on ECW about your exposure?

After One Night Stand on Raw, Orton challenges you to a rematch at Vengeance…do you think it was too soon to come back to this match, could you had waited longer do you think?

The ECW on Sci-Fi debut - June 13, 2006 from Trenton, NJ takes place with you and Justin Credible. You eat Credible alive and beat him in 2 minutes. That was the direction you were given by Paul Heyman right?

From the Torch:

Angle's new role is pure wrestling, mostly doing suplex after suplex. It's limiting, but he's awesome at it.

This is the first time you’re portrayed as a machine really in the WWE - was this a welcome change to you?

Also from the Torch:

“The idea with Kurt Angle is to portray him as the centerpiece of the brand. His new character will not include any of the soft, light–hearted, jokester side of personality. His intro music has been edited so there isn’t an opportunity for fans to chant “You suck!” as he walks to the ring.

Says one wrestler: “He is determined to make this work. There are so many people in his ear, brainwashing him, telling him how to act, he’s almost too intense.”

Who was in your ear do you think? Was it Heyman?

What did Vince think of the transition in your character?

Were you taking it too serious? Were you too intense?

On Raw - Randy Orton beat Snitsky and Jerry Lawler interviewed Randy about facing you at Vengeance…and its announced that you’ll be teaming with Rob Van Dam to take on Rated RKO in Edge & Randy Orton the next night on ECW. Do you think ECW was hurt by being so closely tied in with WWE instead of a separate brand?

Van Dam is the ECW & WWE Champion at the time - what did you think of Rob in this role?

Did you two feel like you had the weight of the world on your shoulders to carry the ECW brand?

The tag match between you & RVD taking on Edge & Randy Orton is a 15 minute match and is a really good tag match you should go check out on the WWE Network. Lita is involved a lot in the match due to it being “ECW rules” - what did you think of the Edge & Lita gimmick together?

You would hit her with the Angle Slam in the match - how was Lita to work with?

Van Dam gets the pin on Edge after the Five Star Frog Splash as they’ll also be facing off at Vengeance. What’d you think of the match?

Before we get to the pay-per-view there’s a stop at the ECW Arena - and I think it’s your first appearance there since that fateful night where Raven and Sandman did their crucifixion gimmick - is that right?

You would challenge Rob Van Dam that night for the ECW Title!

From the Torch

Dean Malenko was the special ref.

What did Dean mean to you back then in WWE?

“Some fans were hostile toward Angle as an “outsider,” but eventually they were quieted by pro–Angle fans and a great match. They traded holds early back and forth. Then RVD posted Angle on the railing and hit his corkscrew legdrop off the apron onto Angle. Later, Angle hit a belly–to–belly on the floor. Back in the ring, RVD hit a split–legged moonsault for a near fall. RVD brought a chair into the ring, but Angle hit a back suplex for a near fall. RVD turned an Angle Slam attempt into a DDT for a near fall. RVD then did a slidekick into a chair and got a near fall on Angle. Angle then hit an Angle Slam for a near fall. RVD hit Rolling Thunder later, but was caught on the top rope as he set up a Five–Star Frogsplash. Angle suplexed him off the top rope to the mat, then slapped on the Anklelock. A loud “Please don’t tap” chant began. RVD broke the hold by hitting Angle with a chair. Angle picked up a chair, but RVD hit the Van Daminator on Angle followed by a successful Five–Star for the win. A heck of a match considering both were scheduled to wrestle the next night on PPV.”

You guys went hard and after it - is that the building you’re in - the legacy it has - Rob’s pushing - or just your mentality?

What’s the travel like going from Philadelphia to Charlotte? Is that something you’re cutting close?

You’re opening the pay-per-view that night against Randy - did you have a preference where you were at on the card?

From the Torch

1) Randy Orton beat Kurt Angle in 12:00.

Angle dominated the first four minutes as Orton tried to bail out of the ring several times. Orton came back with a thumb to the eye followed by a standing dropkick, which drew surprising cheers from the crowd. Orton grounded Angle on the mat with his patented reverse chinlock.

He kept it locked in for several moments and smiled to the crowd. After a back and forth exchange, Orton unhooked the top turnbuckle padding. Angle came up behind him and hit a lengthy series of eight German Suplexes followed by an Angleslam. He applied the Anklelock on Orton, but Orton shoved Angle off and Angle flew into the exposed turnbuckle. He stumbled backwards into the RKO for the win. The fans cheered. Orton held his ankle after winning the match. Disappointing match based on the talent in the ring. Angle’s suplexes probably looked good on paper, but they dragged down the match similar to Orton’s chinlocks. (*1/2)

Do you think you guys held back considering you were first?

How was your body holding up at this point?

Are you happy with the match when all is said and done?

Would you change anything?

Is it crazy looking back that this would be your last pay-per-view match for the WWE until your return in 2017 as a member of the Shield?