Latest news with #KurtAngle
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Trick Williams: From HBCU Football to Wrestling Royalty
In a history-making moment that stunned the professional wrestling world, Trick Williams-real name Matrick Belton-etched his name into the record books by becoming the first WWE-contracted superstar to win the TNA World Championship. The victory, which occurred at NXT Battleground on May 25, 2025, is not just a milestone for Williams but also a cultural moment for HBCUs, highlighting the often-overlooked path from HBCU athletics to global superstardom. Williams began his athletic career in HBCU football at Hampton University. In 2012, he played wide receiver for the Pirates football team, making modest on-field contributions-four catches for 33 yards across six games, including a memorable 20-yard reception against Florida A&M. Though he remained on the roster in 2013, playing time eluded him. That didn't dim his drive. Williams later transferred to the University of South Carolina, where his athletic prowess blossomed. In 2015, he earned a starting role with the Gamecocks, logging 11 receptions for 121 yards. While his college football numbers weren't earth-shattering, his physical gifts and drive attracted NFL attention, and he received a minicamp invite from the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. But fate had a different arena in mind. In early 2021, Williams signed with WWE and reported to its NXT brand. With charisma that lit up the screen and a physicality rooted in years of football, it wasn't long before he captivated fans and rose through the ranks. In just a few short years, he became NXT North American Champion and then captured the NXT Championship twice-cementing his place as one of WWE's hottest rising stars. Yet it was his crossover victory at NXT Battleground that shifted the wrestling landscape. Facing TNA's Joe Hendry, Williams shocked the industry by winning the TNA World Championship, a belt historically held by legends like Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, and Sting. No WWE-contracted wrestler had ever done it before. Williams sealed the deal with his devastating finisher-"The Trick Shot"-after strategically using the title belt during the match. The moment drew comparisons to classic wrestling invasions and crossovers, but this wasn't just storyline chaos. It was a career-defining statement. The fallout from the win was immediate and unforgettable. Williams declared himself the "face of TNA" on WWE programming, cheekily rebranding the belt as the "TrickNA Championship." His swagger wasn't just for show-he issued open challenges to wrestling icons like AJ Styles and Kurt Angle, signaling he had no intention of playing it safe with his newly claimed title. Up next: Williams will defend his TrickNA crown against Mike Santana, a respected veteran with something to prove. The feud has already ignited online buzz, with fans speculating whether Williams's crossover reign is just beginning-or nearing a dramatic end. For Hampton University and the broader HBCU community, Trick Williams's meteoric rise serves as a powerful reminder of the talent cultivated within historically Black colleges and universities. His journey-from catching passes on the Pirates' gridiron to lifting one of professional wrestling's most storied titles-is a testament to perseverance, adaptability, and self-belief. HBCU athletes have long faced an uphill battle for national recognition, often overlooked by mainstream media and professional leagues. Williams's success breaks that mold. His story isn't just about athletic transition-it's about cultural elevation. He represents a new generation of HBCU alumni making waves in unconventional arenas. With WWE and TNA both placing their chips on his star power, Trick Williams is now in rare air. He's proven he can draw eyes, generate headlines, and deliver in high-pressure moments. Whether his future holds more title unifications, a main roster debut, or headlining WrestleMania, one thing is certain-Trick Williams is no longer just a rising star. He's the moment. And for HBCUs across the country, his triumph is more than just a win. It's a shining example of where grit, charisma, and HBCU pride can take you, even to the very top of the wrestling world. The post Trick Williams: From HBCU Football to Wrestling Royalty appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘I was a liability' - Kurt Angle provides honest take on his WWE comeback and more
Image via WWE Wrestling icon Kurt Angle has never shied away from telling it like it is. In a recent series of interviews, the Olympic gold medallist pulled no punches as he opened up on his complex WWE journey, controversial creative calls, and why he still hopes WWE acquires TNA Wrestling's library. Angle kicked things off by taking a light-hearted dig at The Undertaker's long-held backstage image. 'He said, 'Kid, I don't rib, and I don't like to be ribbed.' But that mother**r ribs people! He's full of sh*t,' Angle said with a grin on Inside the Ropes. While he acknowledged Undertaker's intimidating presence, Angle shared that he earned the Deadman's respect early on, thanks to his humble attitude and gold-medal pedigree. Kurt Angle reflects on disturbing Sharmell plotline But the tone turned serious as Angle revisited one of the lowest points of his WWE career, the infamous 2005 storyline where he was made to stalk Booker T's wife, Sharmell, on live TV. Calling it the 'worst storyline' of his career, Angle didn't hold back on where the idea came from. Kurt Angle SHOOTS On The Undertaker's Backstage Advice 'Vince McMahon had this thing… I dated a Black girl once. So he was like, 'Hey, I'll have you stalk Sharmell.' It made me miserable,' he revealed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Stylish New Mobility Scooters Available for Seniors (Take a Look) Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Search Now Undo Angle admitted the storyline was deeply uncomfortable, especially given his respect for Booker T and Sharmell. 'God, I hope you guys didn't enjoy that,' he added. Kurt Angle feels WWE mishandled his comeback The WWE Hall of Famer also addressed his underwhelming 2017 comeback, which began with a Hall of Fame induction instead of an in-ring return. According to him, WWE viewed him as a 'liability' due to his past exit and opted for a cautious approach. 'They didn't really do much with me,' Angle admitted. 'I didn't win a lot of matches, and they flipped the traditional order - Hall of Fame first, wrestling later.' Looking ahead, Angle hopes more fans will get to see his lesser-known but highly acclaimed TNA Wrestling work. He's optimistic WWE will eventually buy the TNA tape library, bringing classic matches against stars like Sting and Samoa Joe to a broader audience. 'When I was in TNA, a lot of WWE fans never saw that side of me. Now that WWE and TNA are working together, I hope they make it happen,' he said. For Angle, the spotlight has never been about just titles - it's also about telling the whole story. These quotes were first transcribed and published by Ringside News . Also Read: Carlito declares he's 'Back in Business' after WWE exit
USA Today
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Royal Rumble winners: Full list of who won WWE event
Royal Rumble winners: Full list of who won WWE event Show Caption Hide Caption Kurt Angle on WWE's Roman Reigns: He's the best wrestler today Former Olympic gold medalist and WWE wrestler Kurt Angle weighs in on his favorite part of WWE today. Who will be the next person to etch their name in WWE history at the Royal Rumble? Aside from championship bouts, there aren't many matches that are as prestigious as the Royal Rumble match. With a spot at WrestleMania on the line, 30 people make their way into the ring and only one person will be left standing with a championship opportunity and pointing to the WrestleMania sign. Even if the winner doesn't end up with a title at WrestleMania, they still become a major part of WWE lore and cement their legacy in the iconic match. Whoever emerges victorious on Saturday will join an elite group of wrestlers who can say the defied the odds and became a Royal Rumble winner: Men's Royal Rumble winner history Whoever ends up on top of the 2025 Royal Rumble will be the 39th winner in the match's history − even though it will be the 38th event (there were two winners one year). Another feat is while the Royal Rumble was introduced in 1988, it wasn't until 1993 that the winner received a championship opportunity at WrestleMania. Of the 39 winners, 10 of them have won it multiple times, including a record three victories by Stone Cold Steve Austin. Here is the full list of men's Royal Rumble winners from each year: 1988: 'Hacksaw' Jim Duggan 1989: Big John Studd 1990: Hulk Hogan 1991: Hulk Hogan (second win) 1992: Ric Flair 1993: Yokozuna 1994: Lex Luger and Bret Hart 1995: Shawn Michaels 1996: Shawn Michaels (second win) 1997: Stone Cold Steve Austin 1998: Stone Cold Steve Austin (second win) 1999: Vince McMahon 2000: The Rock 2001: Stone Cold Steve Austin (third win) 2002: Triple H 2003: Brock Lesnar 2004: Chris Benoit 2005: Batista 2006: Rey Mysterio 2007: The Undertaker 2008: John Cena 2009: Randy Orton 2010: Edge 2011: Alberto Del Rio 2012: Sheamus 2013: John Cena (second win) 2014: Batista (second win) 2015: Roman Reigns 2016: Triple H (second win) 2017: Randy Orton (second win) 2018: Shinsuke Nakamura 2019: Seth Rollins 2020: Drew McIntyre 2021: Edge (second win) 2022: Brock Lesnar (second win) 2023: Cody Rhodes 2024: Cody Rhodes (second win) Women's Royal Rumble winner history This year will be the seventh women's Royal Rumble match after it was introduced in 2018. With the young history of the women's match, there hasn't been a repeat winner yet. Here is the full list of women's Royal Rumble winners from each year: 2018: Asuka 2019: Becky Lynch 2020: Charlotte Flair 2021: Bianca Belair 2022: Ronda Rousey 2023: Rhea Ripley 2024: Bayley When is Royal Rumble 2025? The 2025 Royal Rumble will be held Saturday, Feb. 1, beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
