Josh Alexander has reminded fans of Kurt Angle with his gear and wrestling style, and Alexander has even borrowed a bit of Angle's moveset, utilizing the ankle lock as one of his trademark submissions.
Angle was not the first to use the ankle lock submission, but he perfected it and many opponents tap out during his in-ring career.
Alexander was a guest on the Kurt Angle Show and formally asked Angle if he could continue using the ankle lock.
"I will keep putting on the ankle lock, in proper form. Kurt, when I went to my singles career, I had approached Ken Shamrock, who was still with the company, and I asked him, 'Do you mind if I use the ankle lock?' He was leaving the company that week. He said, 'Yeah, I appreciate you asking.' I said, 'I'm old school in a sense, I wouldn't do it if you didn't give me the blessing. Is that okay?' 'I'd be honored, absolutely.' I started using it then. Are you okay with me using?" asked Alexander.
Angle replied, "Yes, Kenny let me use it, I asked him just like you did. I asked him too and he said, 'Go ahead, I'd be happy for you to use it.' I didn't invent it. It's a cool move, a great submission move. It should be going on in professional wrestling forever and you're carrying it on and keeping it going."
Alexander closed by saying, "I'm just happy I got the blessing from the two people who perfected using it before me."
Shamrock used the hold when he wrestled for WWE in the late 90s and brought the hold to IMPACT during his run from 2019 to 2021.
Alexander is the reigning IMPACT World Champion and is set to defend the title against Frankie Kazarian at IMPACT Over Drive on November 18. Fans can check out the current lineup for the show by clicking here.
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