In an new interview conducted for CraveOnline.com at last night's premiere of the new film "Warrior," TNA Champion Kurt Angle spoke on a number of topics, including the film, and what will headline this Sunday night's TNA No Surrender PPV. The following are excerpts from the interview, which you can read in its entirety by clicking on the above link.
CraveOnline: Are you getting ready for a match today?
Kurt Angle: I do have a pay per view this Sunday called No Surrender which is for the world heavyweight title. I am now the champion of Impact wrestling so I am preparing for that match.
CraveOnline: Did you do any special training to make your body or style more like MMA?
Kurt Angle: Yes, I did. We had a two and a half month training camp. It was mandatory. Both Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy had to do it. I had to do it. Even the UFC and MMA fighters had to do it, and all the stunt guys who played the doubles for Tom and Joel. It was a good time of camaraderie. We practiced our moves, we did everything to make it really true to the sport of MMA and I thought the movie really proved itself as far as very realistic to the sport of MMA.
CraveOnline: How did Olympic wrestling, WWE wrestling and TNA wrestling influence each other?
Kurt Angle: Well, they’re complete opposites. Amateur wrestling, you can go by instinct. Pro wrestling you have to memorize and you have to go by what moves you said you were going to do. Sometimes you have to feel the crowd and do the moves at the right time and know the timing and tell a good story. They’re two completely different things but both of them helped me in the movie. One, as a fighter, you go by instinct regardless of whether you’re going over the moves or not. Two, you have to memorize your moves so that you don’t miss anything as far as the choreography is. I say that both worlds, thank God, pro wrestling and amateur wrestling helped me dramatically in the film.
CraveOnline: How will it impact your storyline if you maintain the championship at No Surrender, or if there’s a new champion?
Kurt Angle: I expect to win. Our biggest event of the year is Bound for Glory in October. I am wrestling Sting and Mr. Anderson in a triple threat match at No Surrender this Sunday, but if I am to win, at Bound for Glory, whoever wins the Bound for Glory points tournament will be the number one contender for Bound for Glory. I believe the final four is Robert Roode, Bully Ray, Gunner and James Storm. I know that they’re looking for a big star to come out of there and I will wrestle that guy. Hopefully it’ll make him into a household name and a bigger star.
Other topics discussed in the interview include Kurt's feelings on watching TNA rise, who he thinks the future stars of TNA are, and what it was like working with the other actors in "Warrior."
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
