WWE Hall of Fame 2017: Kurt Angle acceptance speech (Video)
Kurt Angle is finally in the WWE Hall of Fame and delivered an unforgettable speech in his return to the company at the 2017 ceremony
Long overdue doesn’t even begin to describe the feeling about Kurt Angle being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on Saturday night as the headlining member of the 2017 class. He was first introduced by John Cena. That was a fitting choice for who should do the honors. Among the many achievements of Kurt Angle’s career, one of them was helping to make Cena a star in the business.
Then, after many years away from the company and many battles with demons outside of the ring, Angle finally returned with his trademark music. And sure enough, the chants of “YOU SUCK!” rang throughout the Amway Center in Orlando, FL. A chant normally reserved for being an insult was endearing and said with the utmost respect on Saturday night.
Whatever anyone was expecting Angle to say during his WWE Hall of Fame speech, though, he far exceeded it. He talked about taking risks and being true to yourself in the business, while thanking those who worked with him and helped him.
But most nostalgically and amazingly, he ran through many of his iconic moments throughout his career. That included putting on the little cowboy hat and signing “Jimmy Crack Corn,” rapping to John Cena, a refrain of “Sexy Kurt,” and then the ultimate finale with a milk chug in his tux. In a night of great speeches, Kurt Angle still managed to outshine them all:
Thank everything and everyone that Kurt Angle exists and is in our lives.
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Reliving all of the great moments and matches that Kurt Angle was a part of would take an absolute eternity. However, he himself did a marvelous job of encapsulating what made him so special. He was fearless and charismatic in a way that few in the business have ever been. Long overdue may be an understatement, but at least we got to see it now.