On this day 15 years ago we saw one of the greatest brawls in WWE history!! Though in modern WWE the King of the Ring has really fallen on not just hard times but is completely meaningless at this time this KOTR is one of the best in lineage of the PPV with an action packed tournament and a fantastic street fight between Kurt Angle & Shane McMahon. This match also included one of the most seen botches in the WWE when Kurt went for an over head belly to belly on Shane into the panes of glass and the glass didn't break and Shane hit the ground hard on the top of his head.

​I always loved the wrestling tournament because of the mystery and the possibilities that come out of the tournament. It is very disappointing that the WWE doesn't still value the tournament as much as they used or could. Think back to how things used to be as the KOTR was used to springboard the "Texas Rattlesnake" and the "Hitman" I mean yesterday was the 20 year anniversary of famous Austin 3:16 speech.

​Below is the match that stole the show on this night between Kurt Angle and Shane McMahon. But let's not forget that the winner of King of the Ring 2001 was the future "Rated R Superstar" Edge and on this night the former 5 time WCW World Champion and future WWE Legend Booker, T makes his debut in the main event planting Steve Austin with the 110 Street Slam through the Spanish announce table.

Over the years it's happened more then once that we fans have wanted a variety of talent to return to the company especially after a long time away from the company. In June of 2006 the standing relationship between the WWE and the only "Olympic Gold Medalist in Wrestling History" ended after 9 years with the company due to a disagreement with management. A few months later the biggest announcement in TNA History came out that Kurt Angle would be arriving in TNA Wrestling very soon. Angle sparked up a feud with then unbeaten Samoa Joe and the rest as they say is history.

​Kurt would then remain with the company from 2007-2016 once again remaining with the company for nine years just like his tenure with the WWE prior to his stay in TNA. I will also mention that Kurt would become the first ever TNA World Champion in June of 2007 after TNA left the NWA.
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​Now with his contract finished in TNA and now him being on the Indies and giving us fans some of our dream matches like his contest against Zack Sabre Jr in England and later this summer when he steps in the ring against Cody Rhodes on August 27 with Northeast Wrestling. But now with the Brand Split on the horizon and now WWE is hastily trying to improve their lack of depth by bringing back former talent like a certain gold medal winner.

He hasn't helped the rumors especially by him saying that he has been in contact with Triple H and whatever past issues the two had have been resolved and are behind them. Because as of a few days ago after appearing on Mark Madden's radio show when asked if he would return to the WWE he said "Will I return? Yes, I don't know when." He went on to say that it isn't a matter of if it's a matter of when and he would also mention that he hasn't spoken to Hunter in around a month and a half as of this writing.


​Note:
​There have been heavy rumors for months that Kurt would be back in the WWE eventually and with him free it is only a matter of time. As Kurt has stated that not only does he not plan to wrestle much longer, but he would love to work part-time for WWE and also lend a hand as a trainer and possibly even the future manager of American Alpha. Wouldn't that be Sick!!!