“Took Care of Me”-Despite Vince McMahon’s Company Making Him A Main Event Star, WWE Legend Competed in Rival Promotion For “11 years”

Over the years, Vince McMahon allowed several athletes from other industries and sports to shine in WWE. Many of them were successful in turning that opportunity into gold, for example, Logan Paul. Those athletes have praised WWE for everything they’ve done for the stars in their careers. However, a WWE legend, who got his first major break in pro wrestling in the promotion, competed and still praises a rival promotion for keeping him happy for a decade. 

The rival promotion is Impact Wrestling, formerly known as TNA. Many WWE stars jumped ship to TNA in the mid-2000s and one legend praised the Nashville-based company over McMahon’s WWE.

WWE legend praises TNA over WWE

TNA had become a must-watch wrestling promotion in quick succession after its initial debut. Within a few years, the company became an alternative to WWE and a working place for many wrestlers. One of the top stars of the p was Kurt Angle, who joined TNA in 2006 with Vengeance PPV being his last one before he came back to McMahon’s company.

In the recent episode of The Kurt Angle Show, the ‘Wrestling Machine’ gave details about why he stayed in TNA for 11 years. He had a storied career in WWE but decided to leave Vince McMahon’s company for the then-Jeff Jarrett promotion.

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Angle said, “I know 11 years! 11 long years. At this point right here (Vengeance 2006) I knew I was the WWE. Yeah, I was thinking about it, but I didn’t know I’ll be gone for 11 years.”

The Olympic Hero added, “I thought maybe a year or two I take a break and come back. But I ended up signing up with TNA (Impact Wrestling) and they kept me happy for 11 years.”

A few years back, Angle shared on his podcast that things were good between him and McMahon until 2006. The WWE Hall of Famer was pretty much injured that year and wanted time off. But the 77-year-old didn’t grant the same and hence he left WWE and joined TNA.

What did TNA do for Kurt Angle that Vince McMahon owned WWE didn’t?

In the same podcast, the ‘American Hero’ shared what made his stay in TNA for 11 years. Clearly, he never expected to stay with another promotion for such a long time, but it happened. 

Angle told his co-host Paul Bromwell, “I mean I had no issues with TNA the company at all. They paid me well, they treated me well, and they let me have time off when I needed time off.”

The 12-time world champion added, “When I was injured they let me stay home at nine months and rest my body and they paid me full pay the whole time. TNA took care of me and that’s why I stayed there for 11 years.”

After becoming a six-time world champion in WWE, Angle found similar success in TNA too. He is a former six-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion and also a 2013 TNA Hall of Famer.

What are your thoughts? Was Kurt Angle right to sign with TNA? Share your views below.

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