It wasn’t big knowledge until the WWE often referenced it in stories involving Kurt Angle and ECW, but one of the Olympic Hero’s first ever appearances in professional wrestling was in the original ECW. Angle arrived and there was talk of him joining the promotion until he stormed out disgusted from the company.
Angle had arrived on the night ECW shot their famous crucifixion angle, the night Raven crucified The Sandman at the world famous ECW Arena. The storyline left Angle disgusted and Angle never appeared in ECW again, resurfacing in the WWE.
Angle talked about that night on his Kurt Angle Show podcast, talking about how he already had a strong idea Heyman was full of it when he said he had no idea that would happen. Angle also recalled how he threatened legal action at Heyman should footage of him at the show appear on TV.
”Back then, I didn’t get all that. I didn’t understand it. When I saw it I was like, “Oh my God. This is someone portraying Jesus on the cross. I can’t believe I’m here.” I was really upset and I went to Paul Heyman and said, “I can’t be on the same show as this. You can’t air this show with me on it. If you do, you’re going to hear from my attorney.”
“I didn’t even know it was going to happen. Ok, he’s the promoter. It’s the main event and he doesn’t know it’s going to happen. He’s full of sh*t. Paul, I love Paul. He’s a great guy, but he basically lied to me. I understand why. He’s just trying to take the heat off himself.”
WWE has used the footage in the past in ECW and Angle retrospectives, but obviously Angle’s thoughts of pro wrestling have changed significantly since that night. Understandably, Angle was uncomfortable with it because of his Catholic upbringing. However, years later, Angle has a much different perspective on that night and of Paul Heyman.
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