In advance of tonight’s TNA (Total Nonstop Action) Wrestling event at the Times Union Center in Albany, Times Union writer and American Idol aficionado Steve Barnes got an interview with controversial wrestler Kurt Angle.

It being the fringe world of professional wrestling, Angle was able to dictate the narrative of the piece. Thus, it became all about Angle’s insistence that he’ll make the 2012 Olympic wrestling team.

Kurt Angle, circa 2003.

Those of us who have been (or like in my case used to identify as) pro wrestling fans have heard this tune before. It seems that Angle makes the claim every four years that he’d like another run at Olympic glory. When it’s not that, it’s the claim that he’ll go to the UFC. Neither ever come to fruition, though, and likely never will due to a combination of health issues and drug abuse.

In 2003, just a few years into his career with WWE, Angle suffered an injury that compounded due to the horrific physical demands of the company’s schedule. The damage was severe: calcium build-ups, bone spurs, and extensive nerve damage. Rather than take the proper route and time to recover, Angle and his doctor went with a less traditional surgery that, rather than remove the damaged discs, removed just their damaged portions. He was back in the ring, putting his body through unheard of punishment, less than ninety days after being discharged. The continued abuse he put his body through for the sake of entertainment led to a dependence on prescription painkillers.

In 2006, the sudden death of former WWE champion Eddie Guerrero caused to a media firestorm. Suddenly everyone knew what fans had known for a long time: that the sport was legitimately dangerous and the life expectancy of its participants had plummeted in the last two decades. Increased scrutiny led to WWE taking more proactive measures, including instituting a drug policy and publicly announcing when its wrestlers (who the company still classifies as independent contractors) failed drug tests. To their credit, the company’s “Wellness Policy” is still in effect, although its effectiveness is up for debate.

One of the early consequences of the new program was the company’s release of Angle after he refused to take time off after concerns were raised about his physical health and increasing dependency on painkillers. The release was presented, publicly, as an amicable intervention.

Kurt Angle after a September 2011 DWI arrest

Yet just a month later, he had signed a contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), a company helmed by Dixie Carter, daughter of Panda Energy International CEO Robert Carter. The Carters bought the company to compete with WWE, emptying their pockets and welcoming Angle with open arms. They drew ire and criticism from many who thought they were showing disregard for the well-being of athletes by encouraging Angle to return so soon. It wouldn’t be the last time, either. After Angle’s signing, the company has become a magnet for former WWE stars, many of whom were released due to issues with substance abuse. One of the their main stars, Jeff Hardy, has been fired from both TNA and WWE on several occasions for Wellness violations and showing up in to events under the influence of illegal substances and in no shape to perform. TNA itself fired Hardy after he came out intoxicated for a pay-per-view match, but then hired him back weeks later.

All this is to say that there’s no way in Hell that Kurt Angle is going to be competing at the Olympics in 2012, because his body simply won’t allow it.

Dana White, President of the UFC, recently addressed other tall claims made by Kurt Angle that he wanted to fight in the UFC and simply opted not to. The video:

Dana White: “Now, I like Kurt Angle. HE’s a nice guy, I’ve never had any problems with Kurt Angle. Nice guy. Kurt Angle was calling me to fight in the UFC. He wanted to fight in the UFC, he wanted to come over here, and whatever. And especially after Brock [Lesnar] in. When I let Brock in, it was ‘you know I beat Brock, I can outwrestle him, I can do this and that’… [Dana takes a long pause.] Let me word this so I dont end up dissing the guy, I don’t want to do that because I like him and everything else, but—what I offered him was, I said, here’s what I’ll do – come over and I’ll put you on “The Ultimate Fighter.” During the Heavyweight season, when Kimbo [Slice] was on. I was gonna put him on “The Ultimate Fighter.” He wanted to do it, we worked out a deal. He didn’t pass medicals.”

Reporter: ”…what do you mean he didn’t pass medicals?”

Dana: “—that’s it. That’s all I’m saying.”

Note: the claim of beating Lesnar comes from an impromptu catch wrestling challenge the two did in private before a show in front of witnesses from the WWE lockerroom where Angle reportedly bested the much larger Lesnar.

Again, it’s not Steve Barnes’ fault that he fell victim to Angle’s ridiculous claims. Angle himself probably believes it. The professional wrestling industry is populated by carnies who see everyone, especially reporters, as marks. What makes it stranger than a carnival atmosphere, however, is that carnies themselves eventually swallow the bullshit. They become convinced of their own exaggerations, and the line between reality and fantasy is blurred.

Kurt Angle likely does believe he has a shot at making the Olympic teams. But reality, his body, and his own personal demons are insurmountable obstacles, regardless of whether or not he acknowledges them.