Kurt Angle, known as one of the top wrestlers in WWE history, has achieved four WWE Championship titles and is a Hall of Fame inductee. During his Hall of Fame induction in 2017, Angle acknowledged a figure he considered an “unsung hero” – Steve James Bisson, also known as Steve Bradley, a promising talent in WWE.
Starting his wrestling career at just 15 years old in Boston, Massachusetts, Bradley quickly rose to prominence in various East Coast promotions. He caught the attention of WWF (now WWE) and signed a developmental deal in 1998 at the age of 22 after an impressive tag team match against former WWF Tag Team Champions.
Bradley trained alongside Kurt Angle at the WWF headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, and both wrestlers were sent to Power Pro Wrestling in Memphis to hone their skills. Their rivalry culminated in Bradley defeating Angle for the PPW Heavyweight Championship in August 1999, a title he would go on to win four times, earning praise from Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Despite high expectations, Bradley struggled to establish himself in the industry, moving between developmental organizations like Ohio Valley Wrestling where he shared the ring with future stars. Unfortunately, Bradley’s contract was terminated in 2002, and he later shifted to coaching, founding the Top Rope Wrestling Academy in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Tragically, Bradley passed away at the age of 32 in the academy’s former car park, with the cause of death remaining undetermined. Angle credited Bradley for his rapid improvement in wrestling, highlighting his mentorship and influence on his career. Bradley battled drug addiction and faced legal issues before his untimely death, but his impact on those who knew him remained profound.