All-American Similarities

Your Olympic Hero, Kurt Angle
Courtesy of WWE

There is only one individual within this writer's mind that embodies the world of professional wrestling more than Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle. Angle entered into the WWE (then World Wrestling Federation) with a decorated amateur background in professional wrestling in high school, Clarion University of Pennsylavnia, and being a two-time gold medalist, once in the World Wrestling Championships, and went further to wrestle in the 1996 Summer Olympics, suffering a neck injury with two fractured vertebrae and still winning the Gold medal.

Kurt Angle first experienced the world of wrestling entertainment as a guest commentator for Extreme Championship Wrestling in 1996. Being of an amateur background and well known already as an Olympic wrestler, Shane Douglas invited Angle to attend ECW's High Incident, but was highly shocked by the controversial ending to the Sandman's barbed wire "crucifixion" by ECW wrestler Raven.

Two years later, Kurt Angle went to sign on the WWE (then the World Wrestling Federation), marking his first match victory in April against Jerry Lawler's son, Brian Christopher, among several more throughout his tenure of the WWF/E. Kurt Angle made his mark as a new face and taking on the likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, Undertaker, and even the Rock for multiple championships throughout his career in the WWE.

Angle then went on, after his run as the "Wrestling Machine" in the newly formed "WWECW", to ask for his release from the WWE. Being such a workhouse as he was, Angle asked for his release as he was working hurt, sometimes at a severe limit. Angle also left to free up some payroll within the WWE being at the top of the budget list as top talent. Kurt had signed a deal with WWE's direct competition, Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling to limit his time in the ring and allow him to re-cooperate with a limited schedule. Since being with TNA in 2006, Kurt Angle has accomplished quite a bit, even becoming the WWE's fifth Grand Slam champion, the WWE's tenth Triple Crown champion, and TNA's second Triple Crown Champion.

But after all this, after everything that Kurt Angle has done, what more can one do with being so decorated? TNA is Kurt's current home, but should Kurt return to the WWE for one last run? This writer honestly believes that Kurt Angle could have one last successful run within the WWE, being appropriately paid, and make a showcase of his return. I believe that Kurt Angle is one of, if not the best versatile wrestlers in the business, and can continue to being so for quite some time. Returning to the WWE and giving the level of experience to the young wrestlers of today would really benefit both Angle and whoever he is working with, and give the newer generation the "Olympic" rub and shoot their star higher into main-event status. As it stands, there are several wrestlers who have been adapted one way or another, and there is one in particular that stands out in my mind--the "All-American American," Jack Swagger.

Jack Swagger has been seemingly been modeled after Angle and the "American" status quo.
Courtesy of the WWE

Swagger returning on his victory
against Kofi Kingston.
Courtesy of WWE

Swagger himself mirrors Angle's own beginning college amateur wrestling career, along with being a defensive tackle for the University of Oklahoma. Being the Head of Talent Relations at the time, and a fellow supporter of the Sooners, Jim Ross contacted Swagger and offered him a contract as the All-American. Swagger then adapted the use of Angle's ankle lock, branding it as his own "Patriot Act". Similarities between Swagger and Angle would eventually lead to an established college wrestling background, branded as an "American" Hero, and down to the ankle lock. When one really thinks down to the wire, the subject brings to mind, if Kurt Angle is not returning to the WWE, are they packaging Swagger as a tuned-down version of Angle? There isn't any ability to overcome lisps and weak promo spots, but if used with efficiency, Swagger could very well be the next "American Hero".

With Swagger re-emerging on SmackDown not even five days ago, he demanded to have a spot in the Elimination Chamber Pay-Per-View, and subsequently defeated Kofi Kingston. At this point in Swagger's career, an Elimination Chamber spot for the World Heavyweight Title, or even a face turn for the United States Championship against Antonio Cesaro. Who knows what will happen, but needless to say, with slight tweaking to his character, Swagger can be the new generation's Kurt Angle.

Only time will tell.