The world of professional wrestling often sees comparisons between current stars and legends of the past. Chad Gable, a prominent figure in WWE, is frequently likened to WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle. Their shared background in amateur wrestling, combined with their in-ring styles, has made this comparison a recurring theme among fans and analysts alike.
The Olympic Connection
Kurt Angle and Chad Gable share a significant connection that predates their time in WWE. Both men are former Olympic wrestlers who successfully transitioned into the world of professional wrestling. Angle famously won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games, while Gable competed in the 2012 Games. This shared amateur background, combined with their use of in-ring singlets, has not been ignored by WWE fans.
Similarities Acknowledged
Kurt Angle is well aware of the frequent comparisons WWE fans make between himself and Chad Gable. During a recent appearance on the Ariel Helwani Show, the WWE Hall of Famer was asked about his thoughts on the similarities. Angle responded that he does not mind the comparisons and is happy for Gable's success, even if the character feels familiar.
"I think he’s great. I’m just happy that he was able to find his niche. I know it’s kind of identical to mine. If it works for him, I’m happy for him. I think, regardless of whether he did my character or anyone else’s, I think the kid’s incredibly talented. So, I think he would have succeeded either way."
Angle also elaborated on what he believes might be preventing Gable from reaching the main event level in WWE. He pointed to Gable's physical stature, though he was quick to dismiss it as a valid reason.
Read also: The Life of Chad Everett Harris
"You know, I think the problem with him, and I think it’s only because the office looks at him like this, but he’s a little undersized. But that’s not an excuse. Chris Benoit was five-nine. Eddie Guerrero was five-eight. Rey Mysterio is five-five. So, someone like Chad could certainly be a main eventer."
Chad Gable: An Overview
Chad Gable, whose real name is Charles Edward Betts, was born on March 8, 1986, in Saint Michael, Minnesota. He has been signed to WWE since 2013 where he performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Chad Gable.
A prolific amateur wrestler who competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Betts signed with WWE in late 2013 and tested training before he was deployed to WWE's developmental branch, NXT.
Here's a summary of Chad Gable's wrestling achievements:
Early Career and Tag Team Success
Starting in May 2015, NXT newcomer Chad Gable began a storyline with Jason Jordan, in which he tried to convince Jordan to form a new partnership, following the dissolution of Jordan's team with Tye Dillinger. On the July 15 episode of NXT, Jordan and Gable were successful in their official debut together against the team of Elias Samson and Steve Cutler. The pair won the NXT Tag Team Championship at the event. As a result of the 2016 WWE Draft on July 19, the team was drafted to the SmackDown brand, being their first tag team pick overall.
Read also: "Married to Evil": Chad Graves
On the December 27 episode of SmackDown Live, they defeated Randy Orton and Luke Harper of The Wyatt Family, Heath Slater and Rhyno, and The Usos in a four corners elimination match to become the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions, celebrating with their families afterward. On the March 21 episode of SmackDown Live, American Alpha lost the SmackDown Tag Team Championship to The Usos after suffering a non-title match loss to the pair the prior week.
Tag Team with Shelton Benjamin
On the August 22 episode of SmackDown Live, General Manager Daniel Bryan announced that he had signed a returning Shelton Benjamin to team up with Gable, therefore creating a tag team between the two. The following week on SmackDown Live, Gable and Benjamin picked up a win over The Ascension in their first match as a tag team; this was also Benjamin's first WWE match since 2010.
Move to Raw and Forming a Team with Bobby Roode
On April 16, Gable was moved to Raw as part of the 2018 WWE Superstar Shake-Up, thus disbanding with Benjamin. On the April 23 episode of Raw, Gable turned face after he took offense at Jinder Mahal insulting Raw General Manager Kurt Angle. Gable would defeat Mahal on his first match on the brand. On the September 3 episode of Raw, Gable formed a tag team with Bobby Roode and went on to defeat The Ascension.
Shorty G
At Crown Jewel on October 31, Shorty G competed in a 10-man tag team match as a part of Team Hogan, defeating Team Flair. After this event, Shorty G continued to wrestle in the tag team division with Mustafa Ali as his partner.
Alpha Academy and Recent Storylines
On the March 13, 2023 episode of Raw, Gable found Otis backstage taking part in a photo shoot with Maximum Male Models (ma.çé and mån.sôör, managed by Maxxine Dupri). Otis then decided to leave with Maximum Male Models instead of Gable, which began a series of segments between Gable and Dupri, who both wanted Otis to be on their respective teams.
Read also: Vallow-Daybell Trial: Key Evidence
During the build to WrestleMania XL, Gable was involved in a storyline where he trained Sami Zayn for his Intercontinental Championship match against Gunther. After Zayn won the title on Night 1 of the event, Zayn gave Gable a title shot on the April 15 episode of Raw, but Gable failed to win the title. After the match, Gable attacked Zayn as he was celebrating with his wife at ringside, turning heel in the process.
On the June 24 episode of Raw, Gable defeated Braun Strowman and Reed to qualify for the Money in the Bank ladder match at the titular event on July 6, which was won by Drew McIntyre. After continuously being hounded by The Wyatt Sicks, Gable called out Bo Dallas, who was walking to the ring when The Creed Brothers (Brutus Creed and Julius Creed) attacked him from behind, aligning themselves with Gable in the process.
AMERICAN ALPHA | The Chad Gable Story (Full Career Documentary)
The Heel Turn and Angle's Formula
WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle has shared his perspective on Chad Gable's recent heel turn and betrayal of current Intercontinental Champion, Sami Zayn. Angle declared, "Well listen, the Kurt Angle formula worked the first time, the Kurt Angle formula will work today."
Angle also shared his thoughts on being a potential manager or advocate for Gable, explaining that it has always been an idea he's interested in, but WWE never seemed to want to give it any consideration. "Believe it or not, they never considered that at least with Chad. I know that they made Jason my son, and that was cool, but for some reason they never decided to do another Team Angle or me team up with Alpha Academy.
The "El Grande Americano" Gimmick
In Gable's absence, the "El Grande Americano" gimmick, a masked luchador persona Gable briefly used in NXT, has reportedly been revived.
Popular articles:
tags: #Chad
