The Miami Herald has an extensive story covering Kurt Angle's WWE release in 2006. The story reveals that WWE fined and suspended Angle for a Wellness program violation among other interesting notes on the program that has never been talked publicly about before. A WWE statement dated 4/15 denied claims Angle made about Vince McMahon refusing him rehab in a 4/9 Philadelphia Inquirer story. WWE said that a prior to Angle's release "a physician informed WWE management of concerns regarding Mr. Angle's addiction issues and recommended to Mr. Angle that he attend a rehabilitation program. At that time, Mr. Angle refused to attend rehabilitation." They said because Angle refused to go to rehab they released him, although at the time it was widely reported they mutually agreed to part ways. John Laurinaitis and Dr. David Black, who overseas the Wellness program, are both quoted with Laurinaitis saying he was concerned about Angle's pain pill addiction back then, and confirmed Angle was offered rehab during and after working for the company. Since leaving WWE, Angle has said in several interviews that Vince refused to send him to rehab, claiming Vince told him to work through his personal problems because he was an Olympic Gold Medalist. Dave Hawk, Angle's agent, was also quoted in the story glossing over the matter saying Angle and WWE mutually agreed to part ways although he did admit Angle was offered rehab prior to his release. (credit: Wrestling Globe Newsletter)