I don't mean to add to the speculation, but Kurt's body just doesn't look "right". I know, I know...most of the guys are probably juiced and are bulked to the maximum, but Angle just has an odd look to him. His arms are relatively tiny for his massive torso.
Go back and compare Angle today to Angle three years ago.
I know that I have heard in the past that he possibly has some sort of nerve or muscle degeneration problem, but even if that is just the case; its not healthy to be putting your neck on the line (literally) every other night.
I'm not going to put much stock into Keller's "report", but I can safely assume that there are a few guys that aren't at 100%, both mentally and physically, that are active.
But what the fuck do I know? I'm just some guy on an internet message board. But when there is smoke there is usually fire (and other tired cliches).
(edited by StevieRichards on 18.11.05 2054) Malone. Ex-Cop, Ex-CIA, Ex-plosive.
I'll always remember Kurt Angle's first interview on Off The Record.
It was 2 years after Angle's WWE debut, I think it was leading up to WrestleMania 17. The host (Michael Landsberg) talked about how wrestling was hard on the body (specifically talking about Austin's bad neck).
It went something like this...
Landsberg: You see guys like Austin with a broken neck or somebody like Dynamite Kid in a wheelchair...aren't you concerned by long term injuries.
Angle: No. It's part of the business. I will always give my all.
Landsberg: Even if it means ending in a wheelchair.
Angle: Yeah. So be it.
It sent chills down my spine. Angle then said that his wife was concerned by the long term injuries that could occur.
Good article by Bower. Just as an aside, Bret Hart had a stroke (explaining the 10% brain damage figure). I don't want to come across as a brian expert, because I'm not, but I'm reasonably sure that Hart's stroke was NOT a result of wrestling. Hart's still a fairly public figure in Calgary, is still in great shape for a 50-something year old, and is out and about. Aside from some knee surgeries he had and the punt to the head by Goldberg, Bret was relatively injury-free for 20 years.
The fact that Angle's pretty much destroyed his body in a quarter of the time is frightening to me.
DVDs; Blog Calgary Flames: 12-7-1-1 (1st in NHL Northwest Divison) Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights: 5-8-0-3 (4th in AHL West Division) Las Vegas Wranglers: 6-1-1 (4th in ECHL West Division)
Originally posted by Freeway420Good article by Bower. Just as an aside, Bret Hart had a stroke (explaining the 10% brain damage figure). I don't want to come across as a brian expert, because I'm not, but I'm reasonably sure that Hart's stroke was NOT a result of wrestling. Hart's still a fairly public figure in Calgary, is still in great shape for a 50-something year old, and is out and about. Aside from some knee surgeries he had and the punt to the head by Goldberg, Bret was relatively injury-free for 20 years.
The fact that Angle's pretty much destroyed his body in a quarter of the time is frightening to me.
This is true and I'm sure has something to do with the fact that Bret maintained a similar physique throughout his (WWF) career. Kurt Angle on the other hand got awfully big awfully quick. That fact by itself might warrant a death watch.
The only other WWF/E star I remember reading about being placed on a death watch was Kerry Von Erich. They jobbed him to Mr Perfect for the IC strap on a house show, though they didn't acknowledge it on TV for 6 weeks then quickly buried him, all to cover their own asses.
So knowing what I know abot Vince, I'm sure this "death watch" translates to finding the soap before the hands get dirty. If this is true about Angle, I really think/hope someone from outside the organization can get to him before he gets to himself. Vince's "yes-men" with the see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil mentality sure the hell aren't beneficial in times like these.
Originally posted by FreewayAside from some knee surgeries he had and the punt to the head by Goldberg, Bret was relatively injury-free for 20 years. The fact that Angle's pretty much destroyed his body in a quarter of the time is frightening to me.
Originally posted by NagThis is true and I'm sure has something to do with the fact that Bret maintained a similar physique throughout his (WWF) career. Kurt Angle on the other hand got awfully big awfully quick.
Along with the fact that Kurt had a badly deteriorated neck before he even started professional wrestling. Plus Kurt worked a bump-heavy style that took a much bigger physical toll than Bret's ever did.
I still can't understand why no one seems to remember that Bret worked TWO WEEKS on that concussion Goldberg gave him before he stopped. We'll never know if it would have been career-ending in and of itself, but to assign sole responsibility for the end of Bret's career to that kick is selective at best. He should not have been working with a concussion, especially one he knew was serious the moment he suffered it.
Let's take a look at some Kurt pics.
He's looking plenty thick here.
He's looking a bit apelike here, but a lot of that has to do with the bald head. It's hard to tell what he might look like if he still had hair.
But, here, we can see that he always kinda had an oddly-shaped cranium. I don't know. A strange camera angle can make a pretty girl look like a transvestite, so I wouldn't place Bower's assessments as necessarily cut-and-dry as he tries to make them seem. Though, I don't blame him, it's in his best interests to make his points as convincing as he possibly can, but Angle is also a health nut, and closely monitors his heart's health due to the angina in his family. He's never been a drinker, either. I'm not saying Kurt's not in danger, I am after the one who raised his name as a possibility in the first place. I just don't want to believe it's as bad as Bower made it sound. I can't handle another favourite of mine going so soon.
There was still enough in that article to scare the living hell out of me, in any case. I don't even think Angle needs to retire, he just needs some time off. A year, perhaps. He needs to take it easy for a while. On RAW is Eddie, he nearly made me piss my pants when he came off the rope like that.
Remember when Kurt had that 'revolutionary' neck fusion surgery that got him back only a couple of months after WM19? It might have been much, much more beneficial for his career and life if he had just had the regular fusion surgery, sat out the year and returned in the summer of 2004.
"Oh, gosh, you know, I'm not much on speeches, but it's so gratifying to leave you wallowing in the mess you've made. You're screwed, thank you, bye."
Thread ahead: OVW - 11/19 Next thread: 11/27 Survivor Series...How to get chairs? Previous thread: The Onion: Undertaker forced to manage Guerrero's funeral