Kurt Angle went into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017 as one of the most popular wrestlers of his generation. 

But it wasn't always like that. For much of his in-ring career, the American Hero was a heel. 

He was jeered so much that his entrance music became famous for the 'YOU SUCK!' chants worked into it by every live crowd. 

When Angle debuted in WWF two years after winning Olympic gold, fans still booed him because he was yet to prove himself to them inside the squared circle.

Plus, previous reports that he saw professional wrestling as 'beneath him' didn't help and thus begun a long run as a heel. 

Speaking ahead of WWE's move to BT Sport, Angle opened up about the reaction to his debut and what Vince McMahon told him when he first arrived in the company. 

"I didn’t mind [the boos]. I didn’t know, but Vince knew that the fans wouldn’t accept me," he exclusively told GIVEMESPORT. 

"[He told me] they’re a very harsh group of fans and you have to prove yourself to them and as a professional wrestler, I hadn’t done that yet." 

Vince knew they were going to boo me right away and he was right. I think it’s easier to be a heel when you start out because you won’t be accepted.

"You want the fans to either cheer you or boo you. If they do nothing they don’t care about you. It was good I started as a heel and spent most of my career as one. I enjoyed it." 

Of course, during his career, Angle had plenty of face turns too and he mentioned how much easier life is when the WWE fans respect you. 

"Being a face is always good. Your popularity rises, you make more money, sell more merchandise. Being a face is always a better pick but I enjoyed both of them." 

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