He’s back!
After 11 years away, Kurt Angle returned to the WWE ring on Sunday night and his hand was raised in the main event of the TLC pay-per-view at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Angle joined forces with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins to defeat the team of The Miz, Cesaro, Sheamus, Kane, and Braun Strowman.
It was announced last week that the six-time WWE world champion would replace the unfit Roman Reigns for Sunday night’s event, sparking concerns among fans.
While Angle rejoined the WWE earlier this year in a capacity as general manager of Raw, he didn’t compete until this past weekend.
But viewers couldn’t contain their nerves at the sight of the 48-year-old, who has had a worrying history of neck injuries as he emerged from the crowd with two-thirds of The Shield.
Was anyone else thinking here "Please don't kill Kurt Angle"? #WWETLC pic.twitter.com/IQZWV3vfpd
— Just Talk Wrestling (@JustTalkWrestle) October 23, 2017
Please don't let Kurt Angle get hurt. I'm so worried.
— Jimmy Clarke (@JimmyClarke) October 23, 2017
Kurt Angle… I'm praying… PLEASE DON'T GET HURT. #WWETLC
— Aheggs (@Aheggs12) October 23, 2017
I’m scared for Kurt Angle. Please protect him #WWETLC
— Kendall B. (@kendallb511) October 23, 2017
Kurt Angle! Please don't break your freaking neck
— Nando 🇸🇻 (@Thedude505) October 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/KoonGriffeyJr/status/922285860263026688
Please don't get Kurt Angle an injury in this match!! #WWETLC
— 𝕲𝖊𝖔𝖋𝖋 ♏️ (@GeoffRhymer) October 23, 2017
Thankfully, Angle escaped any serious injury in the match despite taking some heavy bumps on his return to action.
Angle reminded long-time fans just why he is considered one of the greatest of all time while newer viewers were treated to a stunning show of athleticism that doesn’t seem to have dwindled one bit in the past decade.
.@mikethemiz: YOU get a #GermanSuplex!@WWESheamus: YOU get a #GermanSuplex!@WWECesaro: YOU get a #GermanSuplex!@RealKurtAngle #WWETLC pic.twitter.com/eQ4aOH8hov
— WWE (@WWE) October 23, 2017
Before Sunday, plenty of fans felt it was irresponsible to allow Angle to take part in the event because of established concerns about his health.
While he was medically cleared to compete, reports claimed that the powers-that-be in the WWE were worried that Angle would go too far on his return in order to prove his worth among younger members of the current roster.
Thank you WWE Universe for a memorable night. #TLC #TheShield
— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) October 23, 2017
In recent years, Angle admitted that he’d struggled with the physical demands required of professional wrestlers and the gruelling schedule is what ultimately resulted in his decision to leave the WWE in 2006.
“I didn’t have a choice,” Angle told WrestleTalk TV in 2015. “Vince McMahon wanted me to continue to go full time, and I couldn’t do the full time anymore. I look at John Cena now, and I don’t know how he’s done it for 11 years. I did it for six and a half.”
Deals do exist for certain superstars – most notably Brock Lesnar and The Rock – to wrestle sporadically for the WWE rather than tour throughout the year.
And after performing so admirably on Sunday night, fans are now crying out for Angle to be rewarded with such a contract.
All’s well that ends well.
