Ric Flair Interviews Kurt Angle, Talk Working Together, Flair Telling Angle To Avoid WCW, More
Ric Flair debuted his new podcast WOOOO NATION! today, and spoke to TNA World Champion Kurt Angle about a variety of subjects. Here are the highlights:
* Flair says he took a year off to get in shape and "feel sorry for himself."
* Flair said that he met Kurt Angle in Memphis and Angle said he was thinking about going to WCW. Flair told him not to go to WCW, and gave him Vince McMahon's number.
* Angle said he only really trained with Dory Funk for 3 months, with 5 days of training her month. He was just getting the basics.
* Angle didn't watch pro wrestling growing up. He knew who the big stars were, but didn't watch it until 1999.
* Kurt said that he came in at a good time, and became a leader by working with Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, The Rock, Undertaker, Triple H, Steve Austin and The Rock.
* Ric Flair called a 40-minute match between Kurt Angle and The Undertaker in Tokyo, Japan one of the best matches he's ever seen in his life.
* Kurt Angle said he learned how to work heel by watching tapes of Ric Flair and Arn Anderson.
* Flair says he was told the day of that he was going to work for 18 minutes against Kurt Angle. He said that he was exhausted during the match, and Angle doesn't get tired.
* Ric Flair said that he thought Kurt Angle's ankle lock was a shoot hold, and had never seen it. While they didn't mention it on the podcast, it is a shoot hold, and has been used in catch wrestling for ages as a "toe hold."
* Angle was asked about his shoot wrestling match with Lesnar, and he wanted to do it because Lesnar had said he was too small. Angle said that he saw Lesnar tossing Big Show around before Raw, and it was scary, and made him a little nervous. Angle told Big Show to get out of the ring, and he and Lensar went at it. He said he's never wrestled anyone like Lesnar before or since. He said he wasn't the best technical wrestler, but had the tools he needed. Angle said he took him down twice in fifteen minutes, but it was a tough match. He said technique was the only reason he came out on top. He said he won, but never wanted to go with him again.
* Angle thinks Lesnar would have been an All-Pro in the NFL if he'd have continued to pursue it.
* Ric Flair says he knew Steve Austin was walking out in 2002 because he worked with him the night before and Austin told him. This led to Flair working with Lesnar instead of Austin. Flair says he was terrified going in to that match.
* Angle says if MMA would have been bigger in 1997, he would have went into it. He said he hated to admit that because he loves pro wrestling.
* Angle met with UFC President Dana White after leaving WWE, and White wanted him to quit wrestling. Angle had just signed with TNA, and Angle wasn't willing to quit a week after signing with TNA.
* Angle was looking to get out of pro wrestling in 2010 amid the Karen Angle and Jeff Jarrett. He was supposed to be on The Ultimate Fighter with Kimbo Slice, but White wanted him to be ready in four weeks. They decided it wasn't enough time to get ready. White offered him money and a 6-fight deal to be on the show.
* Kurt Angle thought Foxcatcher was a great movie, but there were things about the movie that weren't true. He said he understands why they did it because that's what movies do for drama. He said as far as the storyline, it was accurate. He didn't want to watch the movie because of the scene where Dave Schultz was killed, but he had to do it to finally come to grips with it.
* Angle says he thinks he's had a better career in the ring since moving to TNA. He doens't regret going to TNA, because of the rigors of WWE's schedule. He put over John Cena and wonders how he does it. He says Cena is a perfect example of what a pro wrestler should be. Angle said he personally couldn't cut it on the road. Angle said he would have stayed to work one TV per week and the PPVs.
* Angle said he met with Vince McMahon last year, but didn't offer details.
* Angle and Flair joke about how Triple H and John Cena don't do cardio, but never get tired. Flair says he's never worried about getting hurt, but always worried about getting tired in the ring.
* Flair talking about Verne Gagne's rough training methods and said they helped him transform himself.
* Angle said his favorite moment in wrestling was his first WWF title victory
* Angle said he and Shawn Michaels didn't practice their match at WrestleMania. He also said he got paid more for that match than any other he's done.
* Angle said that he's accomplished everything on his wrestling bucket list. He wishes he could have a career as long as Ric Flair, but he's nearing the end.
Flair was a natural at podcast hosting, and this is more than worth the listen. Flair and Angle shared tons of additional stories about their years in wrestling and experiences together. You can listen to the full podcast at this link.