JRE 2036 · June 27, 2024

Kurt Angle

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Who is Kurt Angle?

Kurt Angle is an Olympic gold medalist, retired professional wrestler, actor, and host of "The Kurt Angle Show." Watch his new documentary "Angle" streaming on Peacock. www.kurtanglebrand.com

Topics and Timestamps

01Kurt Angle discusses his Olympic wrestling background and transition to professional wrestling
02The documentary 'Angle' on Peacock chronicles his life, career highs, and personal struggles
03Kurt opens up about substance abuse issues and his journey through recovery
04Discussion of his time in WWE, WCW, and TNA wrestling promotions
05Kurt talks about his acting career and hosting 'The Kurt Angle Show' podcast
06Joe and Kurt discuss the physical toll professional wrestling takes on the body long-term
▶Kurt discusses his Olympic wrestling background and gold medal0:05:30
▶Discussion of Kurt's documentary 'Angle' on Peacock0:12:15
▶Kurt opens up about his substance abuse struggles and recovery0:28:45
▶Deep dive into his WWE career and legendary moments0:45:20
▶Kurt talks about the physical toll and injuries from professional wrestling1:15:00

The Show

In JRE 2036, Joe sits down with Kurt Angle, one of wrestling's greatest athletes who transitioned from Olympic gold medalist to professional wrestling superstar. Kurt brings an impressive resume to the table - he's done it all from WWE to Hollywood, and now he's got a new documentary called 'Angle' streaming on Peacock that tells his whole story, the good and the bad.

The conversation touches on Kurt's incredible athletic foundation as an Olympic wrestler, which became the springboard for one of the most dominant runs in professional wrestling history. Joe and Kurt dig into what it takes to be at that elite level of competition, and how wrestling fundamentals translate to the spectacle of professional wrestling. They discuss the mental and physical demands of performing night after night while maintaining that level of intensity and storytelling that made him such a draw.

Kurt gets real about the darker chapters of his life too. He's open about battles with substance abuse and how that impacted his career and personal relationships. Rather than glossing over it, he confronts these issues head-on, which is what makes the documentary compelling. Joe respects the honesty and they explore how someone can hit rock bottom and fight their way back.

There's discussion around his time with various wrestling promotions, the politics of the business, and how the landscape has changed over the years. Kurt's been through WWE's golden era, WCW's crazy spending sprees, and TNA's run as an alternative. Each experience shaped him differently, and he's got stories that give you insight into how wrestling operates at different levels.

The physical consequences of wrestling come up naturally in conversation. Kurt talks about the injuries that accumulate over a long career, the surgeries, and what it feels like to continue competing when your body is telling you to stop. This isn't just abstract discussion either, Kurt's lived through it and dealt with the aftermath.

Beyond wrestling, they touch on his acting career and his podcast 'The Kurt Angle Show' where he continues to engage with fans and the wrestling community. Joe seems genuinely interested in hearing from someone who's had such a varied career trajectory and who isn't afraid to talk about the mess along the way.