Bobby Lashley has credited Kurt Angle as the man who opened the door for him to WWE after a shooting ended his amateur wrestling dreams.
Lashley had hopes of competing at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics before he was caught up in an armed robbery at his local bank that shattered his knee.
In a recent interview with “Talk Sport,” Lashley spoke about meeting Angle after the shooting when the Olympian came to Colorado to film WWE Confidential. He said,
“He saw me running around with the group and training and everything. He pulled me off to the side and was like, ‘Man, you’ve got a good look, have you ever thought about doing professional wrestling?’ I was a big fan of Kurt, so I was trying to hold it in, and I was a big fan of professional wrestling, but there was always a stigma between [amateur and professional wrestling].
“All I knew was [WWE], so I didn’t know if there was a transition or how they even got there. Kurt was the one that opened up all those doors for me.”
Lashley would make his WWE TV debut in 2005 and remained with the company until 2008. He returned in 2018 and is a two-time former WWE Champion.
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Bobby Lashley Credits Kurt Angle for Opening the Door to WWE
Bobby Lashley, a prominent figure in the world of professional wrestling, recently revealed that it was Kurt Angle who played a crucial role in his journey to WWE. Lashley, who had dreams of competing in the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics as an amateur wrestler, saw his aspirations shattered after being involved in an armed robbery that resulted in a devastating knee injury.
In a recent interview with Talk Sport, Lashley shared the story of how he met Kurt Angle after the shooting incident. Angle, an Olympic gold medalist and professional wrestler, came to Colorado to film WWE Confidential. Lashley recalled, “He saw me running around with the group and training and everything. He pulled me off to the side and was like, ‘Man, you’ve got a good look, have you ever thought about doing professional wrestling?'”
Lashley admitted that he was a big fan of Kurt Angle and professional wrestling but was unsure about making the transition from amateur to professional wrestling. He explained, “There was always a stigma between [amateur and professional wrestling]. All I knew was [WWE], so I didn’t know if there was a transition or how they even got there. Kurt was the one that opened up all those doors for me.”
Thanks to Angle’s encouragement and guidance, Lashley made his WWE TV debut in 2005. He remained with the company until 2008 before taking a break from wrestling. Lashley returned to WWE in 2018 and has since become a two-time former WWE Champion.
Lashley’s story is a testament to the impact that mentors and role models can have on an individual’s life. Kurt Angle’s belief in Lashley’s potential and his willingness to offer guidance and support paved the way for Lashley’s successful career in professional wrestling.
It is important to recognize the role that mentors play in shaping the lives of aspiring individuals. Their guidance and encouragement can make a significant difference, opening doors that may have otherwise remained closed. Lashley’s story serves as a reminder to never underestimate the power of a mentor’s influence.
For wrestling enthusiasts and fans, eWrestlingNews.com provides a platform to stay updated with all the latest wrestling news. Additionally, their Twitter and Facebook pages offer further avenues to connect with fellow fans and engage in discussions about the sport.
In conclusion, Bobby Lashley’s journey from amateur wrestling to WWE is a testament to the transformative power of mentorship. Kurt Angle’s belief in Lashley’s potential and his willingness to guide him opened doors that led to a successful career in professional wrestling. Lashley’s story serves as an inspiration and highlights the importance of mentors in shaping the lives of aspiring individuals.