On a recent edition of “The Kurt Angle Show” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle and Shelton Benjamin discussed the rise and fall of the Team Angle stable with Charlie Haas in WWE.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
Benjamin on winning the Tag Team Titles with Charlie Haas so early in their run: “I did not expect that that would happen so fast. And it’s one of those things where going into pro wrestling, my goal was just to be a tag team champion. I had — I didn’t think about US Title; in my head, I was gonna be a tag team champion. The Rock n’ Roll Epxress were tag team champions, those were my fave. I was going to be a tag team champion. And another part of that is just — which is an issue for me to this day still, there was a lack of diversity in the heavyweight world champion scene. So because I never saw it, it never crossed my mind that I could do this. That I could be the world champion like that. But a tag team champion, I knew, ‘Okay, this is what I’m going to get.’ So my goal going into WWE was, ‘Okay, be an tag team champion.’ And I did that. We debuted the very last Smackdown of 2002. By Wrestlemania, we were defending the Tag Team Championship. That was a whirlwind. It was crazy, and I was like — I remember taking that Bill home for the first time and going, ‘Holy cow, I did it.’ I could not believe I had accomplished my goal that early. So it was like, you know, kind of like the dog chasing the car. ‘Okay, what do I do now? No goals.’ Set new goals!
”But yeah, during that time, and maybe that whole first year or two, like I could not wait to get to work. I absolutely cannot wait to get to work. And honestly, like, Kurt was our captain. He was our leader. He made us feel like we mattered. We were part of a team. It was Team Angle, but Kurt was like a brother. He’s our big brother. He’s not treating us like his lackeys or anything like that. Kurt is treating us like equals, and I think that played into why things worked so well between us. Like, we all just get along. And one of the biggest honors that I personally had that early on was, at one point I remember Kurt un had asked me and Charlie, ‘Hey, how do you do something like that?’ So it’s like, ‘Whoa!’ In my head, he’s, he’s already phenomenal but he’s asking for my advice or our advice. So it wasn’t just a, ‘Hey, follow my lead.’ It’s like, ‘Hey, guys, what did you guys think?’ So we were all having so much fun. And like I said, Kurt couldn’t have a better guy to helm. He was awesome.”
Angle on Team Angle breaking up: “It was my fault. I broke my neck. And when I came back, they were like, ‘Hey, we need to change stuff up, and we’re gonna have you faced Charlie and Shelton.’ And it was like, ‘Wait a minute, we just started this.’ Like, we only went for what six months before they kind of split us up? Maybe seven months? It wasn’t long at all, and it could have been really, really good. I mean, we could have had one of the greatest factions in history. I mean, this thing was special. We had something really cool going on. And it just sucks that I got injured. And that’s the reason why.”
Benjamin on Team Angle breaking up: “1,000% [the faction breaking up quickly]. Yeah, it was not long at all. It didn’t take a year. Yeah, it was disappointing for us too. Like I said, we were having so much fun with it. The fans loved it. We loved it. And honestly, I felt like we still had so much more to learn from Kurt, just being on his tutelage. But you know, things happen and whoever made the decisions weren’t budging on it. And yeah, we I think we’re all — I think I speak for Charlie when I say we all felt like yeah, they broke us up way too soon.”
The Rise and Fall of Team Angle: A Look Back at WWE’s Iconic Stable
In the world of professional wrestling, stables have always played a significant role in shaping storylines and creating memorable moments. One such stable that left a lasting impact on WWE was Team Angle, consisting of Kurt Angle, Shelton Benjamin, and Charlie Haas. On a recent episode of “The Kurt Angle Show” podcast, Angle and Benjamin reminisced about their time as a part of Team Angle and shed light on why the faction disbanded so quickly.
Team Angle burst onto the scene in WWE in late 2002, with Benjamin and Haas aligning themselves with the Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle. Benjamin revealed that winning the Tag Team Titles so early in their run was unexpected but incredibly fulfilling. He had always aspired to be a tag team champion, and achieving that goal within a few months of their debut was a dream come true. Benjamin expressed his excitement and gratitude towards Angle for being a supportive leader who made them feel valued and equal members of the team.
Angle, the veteran of the group, played a crucial role in guiding Benjamin and Haas. He treated them like brothers rather than lackeys, which fostered a strong bond among the trio. Benjamin recalled an instance where Angle sought their advice, which made him feel honored and validated. The chemistry between the three wrestlers was evident both inside and outside the ring, making Team Angle a force to be reckoned with.
However, Team Angle’s promising journey was cut short due to an unfortunate incident. Angle suffered a neck injury that forced him to take time off from wrestling. When he returned, WWE management decided to change things up and had Angle face off against Benjamin and Haas instead of continuing with the faction. Angle took responsibility for the breakup, stating that his injury was the reason behind it. He expressed his disappointment at not being able to explore the full potential of Team Angle, believing that they could have become one of the greatest factions in WWE history.
Benjamin echoed Angle’s sentiments, emphasizing that the faction’s breakup happened too soon. They had only been together for a few months, and there was still so much they could have learned from Angle’s mentorship. Benjamin acknowledged the fans’ love for Team Angle and their own enjoyment of being a part of the stable. However, the decision-makers in WWE were adamant about breaking them up, leaving the wrestlers feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.
The legacy of Team Angle lives on as fans fondly remember their time together and the impact they made during their short stint. The chemistry between Angle, Benjamin, and Haas was undeniable, and their potential as a dominant faction was evident. Despite the premature breakup, their contributions to WWE’s tag team division and the wrestling industry as a whole should not be overlooked.
As wrestling fans, we can only wonder what could have been if Team Angle had been given more time to flourish. Nevertheless, their story serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling and the fleeting nature of stables. Team Angle may have disbanded prematurely, but their impact on WWE’s history remains indelible.