Kurt Angle is to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame

Speaking to ESPN.com, he said: "I was shocked. I've been out of WWE for a long time and out of touch with them so I didn't really expect this. It's a huge honour.

"This is the only Hall of Fame that I'm not in and probably [the one] I want to be in the most. This is the one that means the most for me. I had a lot of fun entertaining the fans for seven years with WWE, and I'm glad that my hard work paid off."

Whilst WWE’s ex ecutive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative Paul Levesque - also known as Triple H - added in a statement: "Kurt Angle’s accomplishments both in the Olympics and WWE were extraordinary. He was one of the most gifted athletes to ever enter the ring, and we are honoured to welcome him into the WWE Hall of Fame."

And Triple H personally called Angle to let him know about his induction.

He added: "I figured they either decided they didn't want to do anything with me or they forgot. Hunter said they never forgot and he called and told me this is the first thing they want to do.

"And whether I wrestle or not after this - which is irrelevant right now - I'm just really proud to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. I gave a lot of energy and time to WWE those first seven years, and I'm grateful that they recognised it."

Angle began his wrestling career with Clarion University, Pennsylvania and won a handful of amateur competitions before securing a gold medal for the United States in the 1996 Olympic Games.

In 1998, Angle signed up to WWE and made his debut at the Survivor Series a year later. In 2000, he won his first WWE Championship by beating The Rock.

He was also well known for his personality outside the ring, where he made the crowds laugh with various comic moments including an infamous sing-along with fellow wrestler Stone Cold Steve Austin backstage.

Angle left WWE in 2006 as one of the most decorated stars on their books to date.