Angle thanks fans after being named as Hall of Fame inductee
Tuesday 7 February 2017 10:36, UK
Kurt Angle says he would like "Stone Cold" Steve Austin to induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Angle reckons it would be a "no-brainer" for Austin, who entered the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009, to welcome him into the exclusive club on March 31.
Angle and Austin battled numerous times while the former wrestled for WWE between 1998 and 2006, including for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam in 2001.
"We had some memorable feuds and some very funny segments, so he [Austin] is at the top of my list," Angle told Sports Illustrated.
"I had just started with WWE and had a programme with Austin right after I beat Rock for the world title. That's a no-brainer [that he inducts me].
"Steve was one of the most giving individuals - he took me in and allowed me to shine even when it was still his time. He is one of the guys who had the biggest impact on my career.
"I don't ever compare myself to Stone Cold - he is the guy who elevated wrestling to a level that nobody ever went before, but he enabled me to show my talents when he very well could have said no."
Angle admits he was anxious before a video confirming his induction into the Hall of Fame was broadcast on Monday night as he was not sure how the audience would react.
The 48-year-old - who won freestyle wrestling gold at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta - was delighted to see the crowd go "insane" and feels the support of fans may have convinced WWE to honour him.
"I was nervous when my music played," he added. "I didn't know if the people would respond [but] everybody went insane when the song started.
"That reminded me of the impact I had on a lot of people - I was very excited and it actually brought a tear to my eye.
"Without the people, I don't know if I'd be in the Hall of Fame - I really believe that had influence on the WWE. The fans spoke, and the WWE responded.
"The people have always been good to me, whether they loved me or hated my guts. I have a lot of fans who say, 'Kurt, I hated you growing up, but now I think you're one of the best of all time'.
"That's the best compliment you can get from the fans."
