Exploring All The Angles - v 3.0

Yeah, so I went with the cheap pun this time. Rather than just rambling on about my thoughts on TNA's signing of Kurt Angle (which I will probably still do), I've instead chosen to offer the thoughts of some of the other professional wrestling writers who populate the Internet, to give a sense of the reaction from the Internet Wrestling Community as a whole. I will probably add to this list over the span of a few days, as more information becomes available and more people reflect on the news.

"TNA has made a decision to look at medical advice and the bright red warning flags with a negative attitude. They're defiant. Just look at Rhino's attitude in the promo. They will be quick to use the "three-dates-per-month" schedule as justification. Right now, any schedule is too much for Angle considering the health position he was in just three weeks ago. Don't tell TNA that. They slept well Sunday night knowing they have Angle on the roster, a prime time slot, and justification for this desperate decision." - James Caldwell, PWTorch.com, "Remember that Rhino promo? It was TNA's justification for signing Kurt Angle"

"Angle isn’t getting help. Rather, he is simply moving on to a different pro wrestling company. He won’t have to work as grueling of a schedule, which is a positive. However, TNA needs him a lot more than WWE did, which will force him to go all out in his matches to try to justify his role in the company. He will still be in the same problematic environment with the same temptations and dangers. WWE’s intervention didn’t help Angle at all." - Todd Martin, Smashmouth Driving, "Noble Intentions and Undesirable Consequences"

"Kurt Angle Update: TNA, a WWE rival, announced yesterday that they have signed Angle. This will end terribly, and possibly sooner rather than later." - Adamannapolis, "A Very Bloggy Monday"

"TNA has lost its internal voice of reason. TNA has become an enabler to wrestlers seeking an environment where they can freely continue to use performance-enhancing drugs. Kurt Angle cannot stop himself from wrestling, which sadly will lead to his death if he isn’t stopped...Since being fired by the WWE and no longer having to conform to the guidelines of WWE’s “wellness” policy, it’s no coincidence that Angle has reportedly put on 20 pounds of muscle in a little under a month. It will also be no coincidence when TNA is holding a tribute show for Kurt Angle if someone in TNA management doesn’t take appropriate action soon." - Sean Radican, PWTorch.com, "RADICAN'S BLOG: Who Will Take a Stand in TNA?"

"The real question out of all of this is whether Angle is healthy enough to even be doing it. There have been some reports that Angle has been taking the time to rest up, and repair his personal life. But once back in the ring, the problems that drove him out could come back full force.
They could come back worse. The easier schedule could actually accentuate Angles [sic] problems, letting him think he can do more than he really can, since he can “rest up”. And some of his problems, while perhaps not bothering him as much as they were, are still there. Angle does like to take short cuts. He was said to be seeing a pain specialist. Those kinds of treatment are usually to help one adapt to not being able to do as much as a person used to. They are not quick fixes. They take time to actually doe [sic] the work of healing.
One other thing to consider is that the TNA locker room is very different from the WWE. Drug testing for one, is not done. TNA also botched Sting.
Yet, Angle in TNA is a gamble worth taking for TNA. Angle is a big name. Angle has fans, fans that will want to see what this is all about. Angle in TNA does lend legitimacy to the promotion, one that needs it a lot. Not that TNA was a real promotion, but with Angle, it makes them more than just some crappy wrestling show, but one that is truly trying to compete with WWE. That has it’s own good and bad sides." - Wevv Mang, LordsofPain.net, "Snake On A Plane And Angle In TNA"

"Of course the best thing would be for Angle to probably retire, or at least sit out for several months, but anyone who has followed him and this story knows that isn't going to happen. If he was going to work, the best place would have been WWE on a special schedule, but if not, this is the best place because of the schedule. The idea that TNA would hire someone WWE fired for fear of his own health is both abhorrent, predictable and I don't think the downsides were even worried about too much because of the potential upsides. But from the minute he was let go, everyone wanted the guy." - Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter, 09/25/2006 Update

"The concept of putting Angle in the X Division was something that came to me when I was leaving the pay per view and was talking to some friends of mine about possibilities for matches involving Kurt Angle with the wrestlers in TNA as well as some independent matches if Kurt Angle would be available to work independent shows for companies like Ring of Honor, Full Impact Pro, or Pro Wrestling Guerilla." - Richard Trionfo, PWInsider.com, "From the Pit: What To Do With Kurt Angle in TNA" (Popup/Potential Malware Warning)

"I’m scared for Kurt Angle. I was scared for him in WWE, and I was happy when they released him, hoping he would finally deal with the problems and issues in his life. And maybe be able to return to the company that made him some day when he was ready. But it’s obvious now that he hasn’t done that, and I don’t see this turning out very well at all. I hate to say it, and I hate to be morbid. But I’m just being honest, something Kurt hasn’t done with himself in a long time. I don’t see this story ending well. I sincerely hope to God that I’m wrong....I do know the answer to one question, and that is when it comes to morals, ethics, and doing what’s right, The Carter’s, Panda Energy, and TNA are no better than Vince McMahon. Vince is not known for his morals and ethics in the wrestling business, and even he knew he couldn’t keep Angle on the roster. Even he knew that Angle’s problems were too big to just sweep under the carpet, and that he would have to part ways with one of his best homegrown creations for the betterment of everyone involved. TNA apparently didn’t see it that way. What does it say about them when Vince McMahon looks like the moral and ethical one of the bunch? Chew on that one for a while." - Dan Wahlers, WrestlingObserver.com, "It's On Your Head Now, Dixie"

"Lastly, one thing that we all agree on is for Kurt to turn around the things that brought him down in WWE. While only time and probably a surgery can do anything about his neck, what he can do is his dependency on pills. How much those two are inter-related only he knows. Kurt is a well-educated man and he knows his body and well being better than anyone. He has made more money than the vast majority of us will ever see. I do not think that he has blown all of it and the money he is making with TNA could not be so much that he would endanger his future. Hopefully his new job can allow his body some rest some and allow him to be the performer he wants. I know I will be watching and despite what many have said so will you." - Scott Whitt, The Great Scottland, "See Kurt Jump"

What is the over/under on how long Kurt Angle stays in TNA? I think the world of Kurt and hope he gets totally healthy much sooner than later. Perhaps being a part of TNA will work for Kurt as it relates to travel and in ring demands. I do think this genre is much better suited for Angle than mixed martial arts, UFC, etc. I wish Kurt well on his new opportunity and that is true, damn true. - Jim Ross, JR's Blog, "The Night the Lights Went Out in OKC"

"Kurt Angle- This matter is really getting a great deal of feedback and may be borderline over analyzed. Kurt needed time off to deal issues he has throughly discussed on his own website. As I understand it the WWE and Kurt mutually agreed to release Kurt so he could heal physically and mentally and then puruse other options including coming back to the WWE if he was healthy and chose to. No one betrayed anyone here. Kurt needed to step away from the WWE and heal. It was that simple. For anyone to say Kurt was “held back” is a little far fetched to me. Kurt made a ton of money in the WWE and earned a worldwide reputation. What else was he supposed to do while in the WWE? This business is about making cash, plain and simple. Kurt made big money and got famous in the WWE. He deserved all his accolades and the rewards that went with them. TNA is not going to become an overnight sensation with or without Kurt Angle. One man does not a company make. I perceive and am told that there are conflicts of interest issues in TNA but that’s hearsay because I am not there. I hope everyone in TNA are all successful and finally reach profitability." - Jim Ross, JR's Blog, "Still Responding to Emails"

"Kurt Angle was one of the most talent performers in recent WWE history. If he was healthy, I'd be all for him headlining in TNA. But last time I checked, Kurt Angle has a badly damaged neck, and is risking his continued mobility every time he steps in the ring. There hasn't been an announcement as to the date of Angle's first TNA match. Maybe it won't happen at all. Angle's a driven man, who badly needs to find a career that doesn't involve taking bumps." - Pat McNeill, PWTorch.com, "McNEILL: The State of Things: Holly, DX, Angle & Russo"