Kurt Angle Reveals Gable Steveson’s Bold WWE Claim in First Meeting

One big thing: Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson told WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle he wanted to be “better than” him in their first conversation.

The details:

• Kurt Angle shared this story on his podcast, The Kurt Angle Show.
• Steveson, who signed with WWE in 2021, was recently released and has now joined the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.
• Angle compared Steveson’s athleticism favorably to Brock Lesnar’s, calling him a “250-pound monster.”

What they’re saying:

Angle recounted Steveson’s words: “Hey, Kurt Angle, I just want to tell you, I respect your career, and I want to be just like you… You know what? No, I want to be better than you.”

Why it matters:

Steveson’s bold claim and subsequent WWE release highlight the challenges of transitioning from amateur wrestling to professional wrestling, even for highly-touted prospects.

By the numbers:

• Steveson signed with WWE in 2021
• He was released on May 3, 2023
• He weighs approximately 250 pounds

The big picture:

Steveson’s move to the NFL demonstrates the diverse career paths available to elite athletes, even after brief stints in professional wrestling.

What’s next:

Fans and industry insiders will be watching Steveson’s NFL career closely, wondering if he might return to professional wrestling in the future.

What do you think about Gable Steveson’s bold claim to Kurt Angle? Do you believe he could have lived up to it in WWE? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.