Kurt Angle is one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, but does not appear on the top of any five-star match list.
The list in question used by fans to gauge match quality is a series of matches, rated by wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer.
The long-time editor of the Wrestling Observer gives star ratings weekly in his newsletter, awarding matches a rating based on the in-ring action.
While many thought that the scale was out of five, but the ratings have gone up to six and seven star so far (and could even go higher).
But has Kurt Angle ever had a five-star match? And if not, why? In this article, we’ll explain everything.
Did Kurt Angle Have A Five-Star Match?
Shockingly, Kurt Angle never had a five-star match, according to Dave Meltzer. This includes his work in WWE and TNA, as well as his indie run following his TNA exit.
The Wrestling Observer never thought his matches could break the five-star barrier, despite Kurt Angle being one of the best wrestlers in the world.
He has come close, getting awarded 4.5 and 4.75-star matches in his career, but never managed to get over the line with a five-star match.
Many fans have argued that he has had matches that should be considered at a five-star level.
His bout with The Undertaker at No Way Out 2006 is considered one of the best WWE matches. It was so good that Kurt Angle was even considered to end The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak, although that honor eventually went to Brock Lesnar.
Speaking of Brock Lesnar, his 60-minute Iron Man match against Angle on Smackdown is considered a fantastic match, and one many think should have broken the five-star threshold.
Other matches that many think should have awarded a higher mark include his Lockdown match with Samoa Joe in TNA, as well as many of his matches with the likes of Triple H and Steve Austin in the Attitude Era.
Why Didn’t Kurt Angle Have A Five-Star Match?
Kurt Angle has never had a five-star match in his career, and there is a very good reason why.
The Olympic Gold Medalist has had some incredible matches in his career, but Dave Meltzer does not put his matches at an “Elite” level.
Speaking in an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Dave Meltzer defended his rating system, stating that anything over four stars is “great”.
He also states that a lot of matches came “pretty damn close” to five-stars, and that it’s really just splitting hairs on a personal matter, rather than anything objective.
“Yeah but he’s had tonnes of four and three-quarters which is basically the same thing. […] Anything over four is great. Could you say the Chris Benoit match at the Royal Rumble was a five-star match? It was pretty damn close! […] Five stars to me, that’s like elite level,”
Van Vliet noted that the difference between 4.75 and 5 stars, is huge for many fans, to which Meltzer simply replied “well it shouldn’t”.
“Well, it shouldn’t be, because if you’re at four and three-quarters that means I’m thinking that you should be considered for Match of the Year.”