In the video interview below, WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle talked about the difficulties he faced when he first arrived in WWE and how taking bumps proved to be an incredibly painful experience for him. The Olympic Gold Medallist also discussed competing in the Olympics with a broken neck and how that, and a series of subsequent neck issues, led to his substance abuse problems.
Asked if he would do it all over again, he said: "I don’t know. I mean, I’m hurting pretty badly. My knees, my back, my neck. Sometimes I think about would I go back? My quality of life right now sucks. So, I do have a lot of suffering. I had a painkiller addiction that I overcame about 6 years ago. You know, staying clean and struggling the way I have been, it’s very difficult."
When Angle made his in-ring return to WWE, it was clear that he was struggling, and while fans were disappointed that his final match was against King Corbin at
WrestleMania, he probably ended his career at the right time to ensure his long-time health. Now, he serves as a producer behind the scenes in WWE, and is passing his knowledge on to the next generation of WWE Superstars.