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Two worlds collided when mixed martial arts superstar Quinton Rampage Jackson stood face-to-face with Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle in the ring on Thursday, June 6 during TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV.
This was Jackson’s first official appearance since it was announced this week he had inked a deal that will see him competing in Bellator MMA and the pro wrestling company.
TNA Announcer Jeremy Borash introduced Rampage to the live crowd in Duluth, Ga. Jackson’s music began to play with a wolf howl. The consummate entertainer made his way down the aisle with his signature chain around his neck.
Jackson said he wanted to be the best, but to do that he had to beat the best. Cue Angle’s music, and the incoming 2013 TNA Hall of Fame inductee went to the ring.
The tension could be cut with a knife.
“You may be the best in the cage, but this is my ring,” Angle said. “This is my ring. This is my world.”
Earlier in the evening, Jackson received a nice introduction from some of TNA’s performers including tag team champs Gunner and Cowboy James Storm. However, Angle wasn’t so welcoming.
The former TNA champ let his intentions known that when Jackson felt he was ready, he would have to go through him. A strong handshake ensued as a sign of mutual respect before going nose-to-nose with each athlete keeping their eyes sternly in the others.
Rampage is a fan of pro wrestling since his days growing up in Memphis; so this was a dream come true for him.
TNA President Dixie Carter and Jackson told media on Wednesday he plans to take this new venture very seriously.
There is no set date for when the former UFC light heavyweight champion will make his TNA in-ring debut. However, Angle versus Jackson would be a good draw, and Bound for Glory, the company’s biggest pay-per-view event on Oct. 20 from San Diego, would serve as the ideal stage for such a collision. Time will tell if this occurs.
Regardless, Jackson got people talking on his first night in TNA.
• To see the confrontation between Quinton Rampage Jackson and Kurt Angle visit http://www.impactwrestling.com/.
• Follow me on Twitter @smFISHMAN, http://twitter.com/#!/smFISHMAN, where I post links and information. Opinions expressed reflect no other entity. I can also be found tweeting incessantly during wrestling shows weekly.
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