Kurt Angle Says Gable Steveson Needs To Break The Mould Of An Amateur Wrestler In WWE
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle was recently interviewed by Chris Van Vilet, where the former world champion gave his thoughts on fellow Olympic medal winner Gable Steveson and his run in WWE. Angle praised Steveson’s athleticism but expressed uncertainty about his ability to entertain.
Angle described Steveson as an incredible athlete, highlighting his skills both on the wrestling mat and in his ability to perform backflips. However, Angle questioned Steveson’s potential as an entertainer, citing concerns about his charisma and ability to convey emotions.
“I know that he loves to talk, a lot of his friends that I talked to say he’s kind of a loudmouth, which is kind of good,” Angle said. “Because you want to be able to, you don’t want to be shy when you’re in this. You have to show people emotion. You have to show if you’re scared, or if you’re mad or if you’re, you know, excited. So there’s, there’s a lot. You have to have incredible charisma. And I think that Gable has that. I just don’t know how well he’s going to translate that when he starts talking.”
Angle drew from his own experience transitioning from amateur wrestling to professional wrestling, acknowledging the challenges Steveson may face in breaking the mold of an amateur wrestler. He emphasized the importance of showing emotion and connecting with the audience in professional wrestling, a departure from the focus and stoicism required in amateur wrestling.
While Angle acknowledged that Steveson has potential and expressed optimism about his future in WWE, he also mentioned that Steveson’s performance during a pre-tape in Pittsburgh was not exceptional but showed promise.
Elsewhere in the interview, Angle discussed his own retirement from pro-wrestling and expressed a desire to have done it five years earlier. To read more about Angle’s thoughts on retirement, click here.
Overall, Angle’s comments shed light on the challenges and expectations Steveson may face as he transitions from amateur wrestling to the world of professional wrestling. While Angle expressed some reservations about Steveson’s ability to entertain, he also acknowledged his potential and charisma. Only time will tell how Steveson will fare in the WWE and whether he can break the mold of an amateur wrestler.
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