PITTSBURGH - An Olympic gold medallist in amateur wrestling, Kurt Angle has gone on to a lucrative career in professional wrestling.

Did the 35-year-old World Wrestling Entertainment superstar sell out the amateur sport to succeed as a pro?

Not in his mind.

"I never betrayed amateur wrestling," the Mt. Lebanon High School and Clarion University graduate said. "I'm still one of its biggest fans. There's a league for guys to compete in now, and I couldn't be happier.

"In truth, I've done more to promote amateur wrestling since joining the WWE than I ever could have otherwise."

Angle is home for the first time in two years and will be part of "No Way Out," a WWE pay-per-view event Sunday night at Mellon Arena.

His role in life has changed since winning Olympic gold at the 1996 Games in Atlanta and winning a NCAA wrestling title at Clarion.

"Competing and entertaining are two totally different things," Angle said.

He also knew he was almost destined to enter pro wrestling.

"I loved it as a kid," he said. "Bruno Sammartino, Dom DeNucci, Jumpin' Johnny DeFazio, I knew all the names from this area.

"I enjoy being from Pittsburgh. There's so much pro wrestling history here. I enjoy adding to it," he added.

Making the transition from the amateur to the professional ranks wasn't a smooth one.

"I had to start all over," Angle said. "I mean, nothing applied. I had to forget everything and go from scratch.

"It just came to me. I can't explain it. I thought it would take a few years for me to complete the transition. I didn't even know if I'd be able to talk. … I figured they'd get me a manager or something."

Instead, Angle was wrestling on TV after just six months of training. After 16 months, he was WWE's world champion.

"Nobody has ever reached the top of this industry that fast," he said. "Everyone thinks Brock Lesnar did, but he trained for 2½ years before he even got on TV."

To say Angle is at the top of a profitable industry is an understatement. The WWE's gross revenue was $374.9 million in 2004, compared to $374.3 million in 2003.

The organization performed 329 live events in stadiums and arenas throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia last year. About 1.65 million people attended those live events, producing $69.7 million in revenue.

"Everyone performs their best whether the crowd is 25,000 people or 500," WWE superstar Torrie Wilson said. "That's what's so genuine about this business. We're live entertainers used to a variety of venues."

Sunday will mark the first WWE pay-per-view in Pittsburgh since 2001, when Angle defeated "Stone Cold" Steve Austin for the world title.

WWE pay-per-view events generated $95.3 million in revenues last year. Another 14 pay-per-view events are on the docket this year.

Such success comes at a price. Wilson said she's on the road 300 days a year. Angle used to wrestle 240 days a year.

His body won't allow that anymore.

"I've been beaten up a lot worse in the WWE than I ever was as an amateur," Angle said.

He underwent surgery to fuse two vertebrae in his neck April 7, 2003. A neck injury nearly cost Angle his amateur career in college.

He will need additional neck surgery in a few years that will eventually end his pro career.

"I feel better than I have in three years," Angle said. "My neck feels great. The company knows my situation and they'll keep me out of the ring once or twice a week.

"I'll never be one of those guys who draws a heavy paycheck and only shows up once a week. I go to all the house shows, TV shows, public appearances and media sessions. I want to earn my money.

"When I physically can't do it anymore, I'll bow out," Angle added.

And he still cherishes his amateur success.

WWE title vs. Olympic gold medal?

"No contest," Angle said. "Not many people in this world have a gold medal. Nothing can replace that. It will always be the greatest accomplishment in my life."