As the holiday season unfolds, we revisit one of the most unexpected moments in WWE history: Kurt Angle’s 25-second match against none other than Santa Claus.
The encounter took place at the 2004 Armageddon pay-per-view and remains one of the more unusual bouts in the Hall of Famer’s illustrious career. Known for his technical prowess and unforgettable rivalries, Angle surprised fans by issuing an open challenge to Santa during the event. With his Olympic gold medal on the line, Angle made his way to the ring and called out the holiday icon. Santa answered the challenge, entering the ring to face off against the Olympic hero.
Before the match began, Angle wasted no time berating Santa, taunting him in front of the crowd. When the bell rang, the festive face-off was short-lived. Angle swiftly took control, delivering his signature moves in rapid succession. A devastating Angle Slam brought Santa to the mat, followed by an Ankle Lock that forced the holiday legend to tap out. The match was over in just 25 seconds, with Angle retaining his Olympic gold medal.
Later that night, Angle faced a more challenging task in a Handicap Match. Teaming with Mark Jindrak and Luther Reigns, he squared off against The Big Show. Despite their numbers advantage, Angle and his team were defeated by the 7-foot giant.
Kurt Angle vs Santa Claus pic.twitter.com/fllaLD6hZ0
— 2000's WWE (@2000s_WWE) December 23, 2023
Which WWE Match Did Kurt Angle Say He Was “Scared To Death” About?
Kurt Angle spoke about how he was “scared to death” before his 2002 WWE SummerSlam match with Rey Mysterio and said the reason that he was scared was that he had never wrestled a luchador before so he was unsure what to expect when the two squared off. Despite this, although the match only lasted just over 9 minutes it is regarded as one of the best opening matches in the company’s history.
H/t to TJRWrestling.net