Kurt Angle's Friendship With Brock Lesnar, Explained
Highlights
- Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle had an unscripted wrestling match in 2002, showcasing their competitive spirit and athleticism.
- Lesnar and Angle have a deep respect for each other, with Angle considering Lesnar the best athlete he's ever seen.
- Their friendship is marked by humorous moments, but staying in touch with Lesnar is a challenge as he is not much of a social butterfly.
In professional wrestling, certain alliances transcend the scripted narratives, weaving tales of athleticism, respect, and unexpected camaraderie. Enter the dynamic duo of Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle, two titans whose journeys from amateur wrestling triumphs to WWE glory have etched indelible marks on the sport's history. As we delve into the unscripted chapters of their friendship, a narrative unfolds – a tale of the unspoken bonds that tethered them beyond the spotlight. From impromptu showdowns to humorous jests, their friendship has seen it all, offering a glimpse into the world where scripted rivalries give way to genuine connections, and the unexpected becomes the hallmark of an enduring friendship.
Brock Lesnar And Kurt Angle Were Both Amateur Wrestlers
Had Five Matches Against Each Other
Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle are both hailed as two of the greatest athletes in WWE history. Despite the scripted nature of their matches, an unscripted showdown in 2002 showcased their competitive spirit, with Angle revealing to Sports Illustrated that Brock once claimed he would win in a real wrestling match. Kurt revealed:
“We wrestled just once. It was during the day before a WWE show back in 2002. Dave [Shultz] taught me how to teach myself. The technique he instilled in me, that’s ultimately how I beat Brock. Brock said he’d beat my ass. So when Brawler told me that, I said, ‘Let’s go.' Brock was picking Big Show up, double legging him, just wrecking him–and that’s when I thought, ‘I don’t know if I can beat this kid, but I figured, I may as well try. It was a tight match. I didn’t dominate. But I won. There’s a big difference between a national champion and a gold medalist. I knew Brock was going to do his college wrestling with straight double legs. It was all about positioning. That’s what Dave taught me, and that’s why I hardly ever got scored on. Brock didn’t score on me.”
Other than house show dark matches, Brock and Kurt have had five one on one wrestling matches on TV and PPV. Their one-on-one encounters on wrestling TV resulted in a 3-2 record in Kurt Angle's favor.
Date | Event | Result |
|---|---|---|
March 2003 | SmackDown | Kurt Angle defeated Brock Lesnar |
March 2003 | WrestleMania 19 | Brock Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle (WWE Heavyweight Title) |
August 2003 | SummerSlam | Kurt Angle defeated Brock Lesnar |
September 2003 | SmackDown | Brock Lesnar defeated Kurt Angle (WWE Heavyweight Title) |
September 2007 | IGF Toukon Bom-Ba-Ye (Japan) | Kurt Angle defeated Brock Lesnar (IWGP Third Title Belt) |
Kurt Angle Vs. Brock Lesnar Is The Best Iron Man Match In WWE History
On SmackDown in 2003, the Olympic gold medalist and "The Next Big Thing" faced off for the WWE Championship in a grueling and physical iron man match.Brock Lesnar And Kurt Angle Have Respect For Each Other
Had A Match At WrestleMania 17
Despite the fierce competition, Lesnar and Angle share a deep respect for each other. While Lesnar has maintained his silence in public, Angle, in various interviews, has spoken highly of Lesnar's athleticism. Notably, during a True Geordie podcast appearance, Angle dubbed Lesnar as the best athlete he has ever seen. He said, “Brock was special because not only was he a great amateur wrestler, but this guy was the most powerful, quickest person I’ve ever met for his size … strongest, smartest, just overall best wrestler I’ve ever seen. It didn’t matter where Brock went, he was gonna succeed no matter what.”
Reflecting on their infamous WrestleMania 17 moment, where Lesnar's shooting star press went awry, Angle expressed genuine concern for his friend who impressively finished the match. "It shows what a badass Brock Lesnar is. Because he literally could have just laid there and just, you know, we could have did a double count out and ended up with a draw. But Brock finished the match and that's the kind of individual he is."
On "The Kurt Angle Show" podcast, Angle emphasized the value of their friendship, debunking the notion of a legitimate match. He said:
“No, I wouldn’t wanna fight Brock Lesnar, out of respect for him, and the friendship we had, ya know? If the money were right, I know he would want to fight me. I also know I would want to fight him too, because it is all about money. Sometimes it kind of sucks, ya know, you can’t take that personally. You’re trying to provide money to take care of them and that comes first before friendship.”
Kurt Angle Reveals Reason He Thinks Brock Lesnar Is Retiring
Kurt Angle is of the belief that Brock Lesnar is ready to retire from WWE and he explains why he thinks as much.The Cute Dynamic Between Brock Lesnar And Kurt Angle
Kurt Seems To Be Missing Brock!
Beyond the intensity of the ring, Lesnar and Angle's friendship is marked by humorous and endearing moments. Following a match, Lesnar jokingly kissed Angle, leading to playful banter on Angle's podcast. Kurt humorously said, “Oh, I loved it, of course (laughs)!. It shocked the sh** out of me, man! Of all people to do it, Brock Lesnar? Like, he never does this kind of stuff, so it was like, ‘Does he really like me?’ I started questioning if Brock really liked me or not!”
However, maintaining a friendship with Lesnar isn't without its challenges, as Angle revealed on his podcast. "It's always been see you when I see you. Because Brock isn't much of a social butterfly so calling him and saying 'How are you? What's going on in your life, how's your family?' Brock's not really into that stuff so if you call him, you're most likely going to get an answering machine."
Angle also shared that many former WWE colleagues, including Lesnar, have become less frequent in their communication, leaving him with a touch of nostalgia and sadness. He said:
"The wrestling business is really sad because you live with these guys and girls on the road. You’re with them more than you are with your family. But when it’s done, nobody keeps in touch. Nobody calls each other. Nobody reaches out, just the ones that are very, very close. You know, maybe Triple H and Shawn Michaels. For the most part, nobody really keeps in touch with each other. I mean, I text Triple H every couple of months. He’ll text me back, or he will get a hold of me every couple of months, but it’s not a lot. I don’t hear anything from Brock Lesnar, Undertaker, you know, all my closest friends.”
Brock, if you're reading this, please text Kurt back.
