If there weren't already enough backstage issues in TNA, world champion Kurt Angle has been arrested for stalking one of the female wrestlers in the company.
Kurt Angle Arrested
On Saturday morning, Kurt Angle was arrested in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on a bevy of charges. He was charged with harrassment, driving on a suspended license, and possession.
According to reports, he was harrassing a woman who also worked as a wrestler for TNA. The incident occurred at a Starbucks, where the woman claimed that Kurt Angle was driving around the block.
While it hasn't been 100% confirmed yet, the majority of people are under the belief that the woman is Rhaka Khan. The two have been dating on and off for quite some time now (they were spotted at the Comic-Con convention in San Diego together not too long ago).
Apparently, the relationship had gone sour, and Rhaka Khan had a restraining order against the former Olympic gold medalist.
Police officers also stated that they found a capped syringe and two vials of HGH. Kurt Angle has informed them that he does have a legal prescription for this and he does have proof.
Quite a Saturday morning for Kurt Angle, to say the least.
Effect On Hard Justice
Since the big Hard Justice pay per view is taking place on Sunday night, the first question that comes to mind is how this arrest will affect things.
Kurt Angle has been booked in the main event triple threat title match against Sting and Matt Morgan for quite a few weeks now. For him to not be able to make the match, it could prove disastrous for TNA.
Fortunately, though, it does appear that Kurt Angle will be able to make it out to Orlando for the pay per view. The scheduled TNA World Heavyweight Championship match will go on as advertised.
Effect On Jeff Jarrett
In case you've been living underneath a rock (is that even possible?), the headlines for the past few weeks have revealed that Jeff Jarrett is currently involved in a relationship with Karen Angle; the relationship has caused all sorts of issues for TNA's front office.
Kurt Angle's arrest isn't going to change Jeff Jarrett's spot with the company whatsoever. He's still going to be punished for what he did. The belief is that Dixie Carter has bought out all of the shares that Jeff Jarrett had owned.
It also won't affect Jeff Jarrett's ability to return to the company as solely an in-ring performer. Dixie Carter has reportedly offered him a chance to return without any backstage powers whatsoever.
The only thing that this arrest affects is how the public views the story.
If Kurt Angle is painted as an abusive husband/boyfriend, then Karen Angle is going to gain just a little more sympathy from the internet wrestling community.
However, that still won't change how Jeff Jarrett, a member of management that had an affair with an employee's wife, is viewed.
Closing Thoughts
This is an unfortunate story. Backstage issues are taking up more of the spotlight than what the compay is actually doing. That's a horrible thing because TNA has been doing some pretty interesting things lately. |
