Former WWE wrestler Ken Anderson believes it was Randy Orton and John Cena who had him fired from the promotion.
During his recent appearance on Tagging In with Chris Harris, Anderson opened up in detail about his WWE release. The unfortunate incident took place after Randy Orton had allegedly called Anderson dangerous.
“I got fired for dumping Randy [Orton] on his head. If you slow that video down, you can see that his neck never comes into contact with the mat. Even just the way that he bumped, he bumped in a manner where he lined up perfectly with the camera, so you can actually see that. He says I dumped him on his head, but you can see his neck; it’s a completely flat bump. From his shoulders to his ass was a complete straight line, flat bump.
“I believe that Randy and John [Cena] worked together. They decided that day, let’s f**king get him gone. And it worked,” Anderson shared.
Anderson was released just days after returning from a lengthy injury absence in 2009. The release allegedly took place after Orton had complained about him, following a back suplex he received on the May 25, 2009 episode of WWE RAW.
While Anderson believes Orton’s comments motivated his release, he still blames himself for his WWE exit.
“I’ve said this before, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back, but had I been doing what I should have done on a daily basis, that would have never occurred. They could have gone to Vince [McMahon] and said all whatever they wanted to,” Anderson added. “The fact that my name kept coming up in a negative light and I kept kind of f**king up in different ways, and that’s all on me. So, that was the straw that broke the camel’s back, but the reason I got fired is because of me.”
Anderson joined WWE in 2005 and was a part of the promotion until his release in 2009. A popular name on the roster, Anderson is also a former WWE United States Champion and the 2007 Money in the Bank winner.
Amid speculation, we’re told WWE has plans for Travis Scott to appear at the Money in the Bank PLE on June 7th. Sources indicate this has been in the works since before WrestleMania.
On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Ken Anderson (Mr. Kennedy) spoke about training Tiffany Stratton at his school in Minnesota when she started wrestling:
She was friends with Greg Gagne. Greg is a family friend, and Greg reached out to me and said, ‘Hey, I’ve got this girl, she’s a powerlifter and she does gymnastics and stuff. She’s a super athlete, really good look, and I want to train her. Can we come?’ So she started coming and, right away, day one, she’s one of those people [with instincts in the ring]…
There’s some stuff people just have instincts for. I think she’s one of those people. However, the funny thing was, I don’t mean this in a negative way, she didn’t have any charisma as far as she just did the work. She didn’t have the character stuff down. I have her first promo. I’ll have to ask her someday for her permission to put it out there, right? [laughs] Because it’s not good.
Anderson said everyone’s first promo is usually terrible, and it’s “pretty awesome” to see how far Stratton has come.
Anderson also worked with Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson when Steveson was training for WWE. While saying the timing may have just been wrong for Steveson to succeed, Anderson explained what he thinks Steveson was missing as a pro wrestler:
I don’t think that he loves the wrestling business. I mean, WWE has done the NIL thing for a while. I remember back when, I think when I was there, there was always these rumors that WWE is only taking guys that are six foot one or taller. Then for a while, they wouldn’t take anybody that had independent experience. I just think the guys who are successful love this.
Will Ospreay told Bleacher Report that he’s honored to share a connection with Owen Hart through them both having held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title:
Of course I have [watched Hart’s work], but I’ll be honest with you, I’ve watched more of his New Japan stuff because when I won the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, the best thing about that belt is all the side plates have the names of the wrestlers who held it beforehand, and Owen Hart’s name is on there, man.
It was such an honor to have even that small connection to Owen Hart, and even now, we share a birthday. I found that out and thought that was really cool, and the fact that we’re going to be in the finals feels so cool.
Willow Nightingale spoke to The Takedown about how she’s approaching being part of Anarchy in the Arena at Double or Nothing:
I think, yeah, we’ve all been butt-kickers, but the story of brotherhood just being ‘for the boys and boys being boys’ can go deeper. Because obviously, AEW’s known for letting us girls go crazy and have our tag team street fight matches. The one that I had with Kris Statlander. But obviously, to be brought into another level to think like, ‘Oh well, they think they’re tough as the boys,’ like, no, we’re going to hang with the boys. It’s called anarchy, and we’re bringing it.
During a Twitch stream, Kenny Omega said that – even though they have never met each other before – Bayley reached out to him with a message of support when he was battling diverticulitis.
Scorpio Sky has relaunched his podcast with creator James Willems. It’s now called the Creating Character podcast after previously being known as Wrestling With The Week.
All 10 entrants for the Cibernetico match at Dean~! 2 in Glendale, Arizona this Saturday have now been revealed. The match will feature:
Blue Panther
Neon
Hologram
Volador Jr.
Virus
Valiente
Averno
Dr. Cerebro
Xelhua
Euforia
TNA World Champion Joe Hendry and indie wrestler LJ Cleary trained with CM Punk and Ace Steel at Steel’s Foundation of Wrestling school in Florida last night.
Former WWE and TNA wrestler Ken Anderson has responded to claims that he’s scammed students of his wrestling school.
Earlier this week, a Reddit user who enrolled in Anderson’s “The Academy: School of Professional Wrestling” in Minnesota alleged that the school has remained closed despite Anderson taking in new recruits for more than a year during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Reddit user wrote that the school has no facility and no real return date has been set. During the user’s sign-up process, not having a facility to train in wasn’t disclosed.
“[Anderson’s] gone silent and his only update every 2-3 months is that they’re in talks with a realtor for a new facility but no real progress comes out of it,” the Reddit post said.
“Students have now been enrolled for close to two years with no training in sight, not even remote homework like tape study, character development or promos. His official website for the school has since gone down, which doesn’t help the situation or convey a good message.”
The user wrote that they were making the post in hopes that it would encourage the school to come up with a real plan for reopening or issue refunds to all students that haven’t been trained.
Another poster in the Reddit thread stated that they signed up for a free 30-minute consultation for the wrestling school last year through its website. After they traveled for the consultation, they found the school to be empty, and the business next to the school said that it had left years ago. The poster stated that the email they received basically confirming the appointment must have been automated.
In a statement on Facebook responding to the claims on Wednesday, Anderson stated that no one has been “conned or scammed.” Anderson said that COVID-19 closed the school’s doors in 2020, and they decided to play it safe and not re-open while being hit with new variants and waves of infection. Anderson said that, without the benefit of hindsight, he would have handled those unsure times the same way if he had to do it again.
“As those dates got pushed forward, in the individual correspondence with our students, there was a natural sense of frustration,” Anderson wrote. “But each time we expressed our reasons and concerns, we were met with understanding every time, from every student. It was our understanding that everyone was on the same page. In hindsight we recognize that we could have and should have communicated more.”
Anderson said that they’re currently working with a realtor to find a new location that meets all of the school’s needs. He encouraged students to contact him and the school at any time with their concerns.
Anderson’s full statement is available below:
I feel it neccessary, given the nature of the original Reddit post and subsequent articles written about my character and my wrestling school, to address them publicly.
I personally have not been contacted by anyone from the Internet Wrestling Community wishing to ask for my comments on those statements about me.
In 2016, my friend Shawn Daivari and I realized we had similar visions for how a wrestling school should be and could be operated. We decided to team up and open ‘The Academy: School of Professional Wrestling.’
Since day one, we were committed to giving everyone that came through our doors an opportunity to learn as much as they could about professional wrestling. From safety to etiquette, from basic holds to exciting high spots, from character development to interview skills, we either covered it or were able to connect our students to resources that did. We’ve hosted some of the biggest names in the wrestling industry as guest trainers. We’ve welcomed over 200 students from all walks of life, foreign and domestic, each with individual goals and aspirations.
Dozens of those students now appear weekly around the midwest independent wrestling scene, some have traveled nationally and even internationally, a handful of our graduates are ‘on the radar’ of the big companies, and a few call AEW their current fulltime employer.
Unfortunately, Covid 19 closed our doors in 2020. I understand that not all will agree with our decision to not re-open and to play it safe (some re-opened almost immediately) as we were hit with variants and waves of infection. I don’t have control over what others choose to do with their bodies or businesses, but I felt it was the right thing to do for the health and safety of our students and their families as well as our own family. Pro -wrestling and social distancing do not pair well. If I had to do it again without the benefit of hindsight I would have handled those unsure times the same way.
As those dates got pushed forward, in the individual correspondence with our students, there was a natural sense of frustration. But each time we expressed our reasons and concerns, we were met with understanding every time, from every student. It was our understanding that everyone was on the same page. In hindsight we recognize that we could have and should have communicated more.
Nobody has been conned or scammed. We remain as dedicated to and excited about re-opening now as we were to initially open our doors in 2016.
We are currently working with a realtor to secure a new location that will meet our specific needs: high ceilings, zero noise restrictions, ample parking for our students, price and location. Two months ago, we had found a great building that met every single one of those criteria, but after discussing it with each student individually, and some expressing concerns over distance, we decided that it wasn’t a fit. We need to do this right the …second time. With minimum 3-5 yr lease terms we cannot get into a building that isn’t going to check those boxes.
We look forward to re-opening. The minute that we secure that building, we will be in touch with everyone including new students, returning students and graduates.
In the meantime, our students are encouraged to contact us at any time, with any concerns.
Impact Wrestling has confirmed the first two names for their one-night-only TNA revival.
It was announced today that D-Lo Brown and Ken Anderson are both set for TNA: There’s No Place Like Home. Impact wrote that both wrestlers will be representing their old Aces & Eights stable.
Brown works as a producer for Impact Wrestling. Anderson is featured on NWA Power and will be part of the TV title tournament at the NWA’s Hard Times pay-per-view tonight. He’s facing Tim Storm in the first round.
TNA: There’s No Place Like Home is taking place at The Ritz Ybor City in Tampa, Florida on Friday, April 3. It’s part of WrestleCon 2020.
The show will also be available live via Fite TV.
Reviving the TNA brand for one night only was first announced in a tweet by Ethan Page in October: “I remember getting ‘talked to’ for tweeting about TNA. Mania weekend @IMPACTWRESTLING is BRINGING TNA BACK for one night! I had to take my finger off the pulse for a quick second to tweet this out IM. SO. EXCITED. TNA! TNA! TNA! PUT ME IN THE KING OF THE MOUNTAIN!”
Last week, Madison Rayne beat Brooke to advance, Bram beat Spud, and Manik beat Mandrews with a GTS. The Wolves collided in a very good match that went to a time limit draw, Mahabali Shera beat Kenny King, and Eric Young beat Robert Roode. Manik vs. Mandrews and Davey vs. Eddie were quite good, while EY vs. Roode wasn’t bad, it also wasn’t exciting in the slightest. The show begins with a recap of last week’s matches. Tonight, Madison faces Gail, while Matt faces Eddie Edwards, and Mr. Anderson faces EC3. Josh and Pope are in their green screen studio, and Pope is now doing Larry Zbyszko’s finger movements from the Nitro era. We see clips of Eddie Edwards destroying dudes while Madison walks to the ring. We get a wacky Ninja Queen video for Madison, which consists of someone singing “Ninja Queen” instead of Killer Queen while she moves plants around and is superimposed over footage of people talking. This was goofy and amusing.
Gail Kim vs. Madison Rayne
They tie-up and Madison wins that exchange. Madison takes her down while Josh talks more about the ninja training. Pope gets a crack in about Josh not really wanting his honest opinion about Madison while Madison gets 2 off a crucifix that Gail reverses for 2. SOS cradle gets 2 for Madison. Josh talks about #worldtitleseries trending worldwide already. Madison gets a weak-looking Brogue kick onto Gail as she was draped over the second rope. Gail gets 2 off a blind dive crossbody and we go to a break. Gail sends Madison into the buckle with a wacky headscissor, but the corner crossbody misses. Gail comes in at 9 and then smashes Madison’s head into the steps. Gail gets a dragon sleeper, but Madison escapes and then kinda goes for a small package, but Gail puts her in a dragon sleeper again because Madison wasn’t at the right angle for the cradle. Madison gets a corner forearm and runs wild with chops and forearms mid-ring. A sliding crossbody gets 2 for Madison. Madison goes for the Rayne Drop, which got the win last week, but Madison gets cradled and loses. This was an excellent little match – easily the best women’s match of the series so far. Matt Hardy interview is up next.
We get a recap of Gail vs. Rayne, leading to Pope and Josh saying that two people in Matt Hardy and Gail Kim are in the field of 16. Matt is in a very squeaky room saying that he feels that he’s better now than he’s ever been and he’ll trend when he wins the series with an unbeaten record. They awkwardly around Matt vacating the title and Matt says that EC3 might’ve kept this going on for years, and due to EC3, TNA might not even have TV. Well, that’s an odd thing to say. Pope akwardly asks if Matt will take a night off with Eddie and Matt says that Eddie is the future of “this brand”, but tonight isn’t his night and he’ll be a victim of the Matt Hardy Formula. Eli Drake is out to face Jessie Godderz. Eli still has his goofy superhero vest on. Eli says E-li in the best way humanly possible and it at least helps him stand out in TNA. “The Man” Jessie Godderz, who is also “The Modern Day Adonis”, comes out in his giant robe.
Eli Drake vs. Jessie Godderz
Since Jessie’s finisher is the “Adonis Crab”, Josh talks about his favorite kinds of crab and how he enjoys having it served to him at a restaurant. Josh says that if Jessie wins the series, he’ll be on the cover of cereal boxes and getting all the TV show interviews. Eli gets a takedown, but Jessie gets a headscissor. Josh says that the World Title Series episodes of Impact are all on their Youtube channel, where you can “watch Dixie Carter explain the world title series”. Each guys tries to out-cheat each other with the hair while Josh talks about giving out World Title Series awards and talking about WHO WAS AT TNA HQ THIS WEEK!?
Jessie gets a slick double wristlock suplex for 2. Pope pimps his PopeTV Youtube channel. Eli drives the leg down onto Jessie’s to wear it down. Pope talks about Eli being the prince of Eternia, which Josh buries him for. Jessie gets a back elbow smash and both guys try to cheat via tights pulling to win, but the ref is right there. This reminds me a bit of Martel vs. HBK at Summerslam ’92 with two heels trying to out-heel each other to win. Jessie tries to cheat with a cradle, but Eli escapes for 2. Jessie climbs up top, but gets crotched and Eli puts his feet on the rope for the win.
EC3 is in front of the office of TNA Wrestling, which you might’ve seen from Finn Balor’s Twitter feed. EC3 and his grey and black checkered suit are angry and he’s here to deliver a check in person. Eli cuts a fantastic promo backstage about being tired from kicking so much keister. Josh names Matt Hardy, Gail, Drew, and Shera as possible MVPs. Match of the series goes to Davey vs. Eddie. Shera wins the Most Improved award. Storm gets the Biggest Disappointment award. Matt comes out in grey and white camo PJs to do battle and we see clips of his series matches. We get the same kind of clips for Eddie as he comes down.
Matt Hardy vs. Eddie Edwards
They exchange basic headlocks on the ground before Eddie gets a chinlock after a headstand. Eddie gets bonked into the buckle and placed onto the ropes for a sloppy Nightmare on Helms Street for 2. We go to a break and come back to Matt landing some corner lariats for 2. Matt takes an awkward leap over the top to the apron and eats a Yakuza kick. Big suicide dive takes Matt out for a bit. Pope says that the suicide dive is called that because if your opponent moves, it can end in catastrophe. Eddie chops away at Matt on the post and misses, so Matt starts getting the edge. Eddie avoids an apron Side Effect and lands an apron DDT. Matt eats some chops before fighting back with slaps and exchanging forearms. Double clothesline sends both men down. Matt avoids the backpack stunner and gets an awkward sleeper slam for 2. Matt gets a back elbow, but slips off the ropes before climbing up again and hitting a big kick for 2. Matt avoids a double stomp, but the Twist is countered into a cradle by Eddie for 2. Matt gets a super Twist of Fate to counter a superplex and wins. Very good match here.
Recap of the BFG main event with Jeff Hardy costing EC3 the title. EC3 walks down the halls of the building and says that he grew up and spent a lot of time here, but now he just sees the legends on these walls as people he’s beaten. EC3 goes to Dixie’s office, full of TNA history like replica belts, photos, and a gigantic Kurt Angle WWE action figure. Ethan says he’s not a kid anymore – he’s a big victory machine and he’ll be World Champion again. He gives Dixie the check, and Dixie is upset. Matt cuts a promo on Eddie and says he’s a guy and a hell of a competitor. They play a “pop” the roster game and pick who will advance to the round of 16. Mandrews comes down the aisle to face DJZ.
Mandrews vs. DJZ
They exchange armbars and flips to start. Mandrews armdrags him to the floor. Mandrews hops on the steps and moonsaults DJZ. Mandrews tosses him in and gets a jawbreaker for 2. DJZ drops him on his head for 2 and then locks on a chinlock. DJZ hops around before hitting a springboard elbow. DJZ’s wacky springing DDT is countered with a pop-up rana by Mandrews for 2. DJZ goes up and eats a big kick and top rope rana for 2. DJZ gets a schoolboy for 2 and Mandrews runs wild with forearms and they fight up top for a bit. Mandrews shoves him down and an SSP is met with knees and a cradle for the win.
We see video of Shera training by running across a bridge and working out in the gym. They play another game and Pope predicts a Roode win. Eric Young is pissed over his bubble being popped because he’d break Josh’s neck and he’s the most dangerous man in pro wrestling. Crimson talks about his opponent tonight, Micah, being an ass-kicker since birth. We see clips of Micah beating Crimson. We see EC3 in India cutting a promo from what sounds like a construction site. Josh says that the semi-finals of the series will be in December’s Impact shows from Mumbai.
Drew cuts a promo from his home, which like Matt Hardy’s house, features better lighting than the in-ring action. He says that he was motivated before, and while he was ripped off at BFG, he’s on track to fulfill his destiny. Next week, Brooke faces Awesome Kong while EY faces James Storm, and Bobby Roode faces Abyss. Josh talks about Anderson and EC3’s “rich history”, which we see in clip form. EC3 comes down and Anderson comes down adding “what and huh” to his intro.
EC3 vs. Ken Anderson
They exchange chops in the corner and go to a break. After the break, Ken gets some Kobashi-style machine gun chops on the floor. Pope laments that there will be no “textbookality” here. Maybe that can be added to the next Mortal Kombat game – a giant textbook can fall onto your opponent’s head. They go to the floor where Pope says that Anderson has to be careful being in dinosaur land before stating the obvious and stating he was talking about Tyrus. Tyrus sweeps the leg for 2. Gutwrench suplex gets 2 and then locks on a chinlock. Double clothesline leads to another double down on the show. Finlay Roll hits as does the Kenton Bomb for 2. They fight up top and Ken gets the Lambeau Leap for 2. Tyrus pulls Anderson to the floor with two minutes to go. Earl argues with Tyrus before Ken bashes Tyrus with a chair. Earl is completely fine with this. Earl takes the chair out of the ring and EC3 low blows him, but avoids a Mic Check and wins with a jackknife cradle. To see every screenshot for the show, just click here.
