Ken Anderson (wrestler)
| Ken Anderson | |
|---|---|
| File:Kenanderson11.jpg | |
| Born | March 6, 1976 Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Ken Anderson "Kamikaze" Ken Anderson Mr. Anderson Mr. Kennedy Ken Kennedy |
| Billed height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Billed weight | 246 lb (112 kg) |
| Billed from | Green Bay, Wisconsin |
| Trained by | Eric Hammers Mike Mercury |
| Debut | September 1999 |
Ken Anderson (born March 6, 1976 in Minneapolis, Minnesota), better known as Ken Kennedy or Mr. Kennedy, is an American professional wrestler, currently performing for World Wrestling Entertainment on its SmackDown! brand.
Career
Anderson was used as developmental talent on WWE Jakked, WWE Velocity and WWE Sunday Night Heat several times until February 2005, when Anderson signed a developmental contract with WWE.
Anderson next wrestled for Ohio Valley Wrestling until August 9, 2005, when he won his first WWE match (which was against Funaki) on Velocity. Before the match, Anderson showed himself to be a cocky and arrogant competitor; his gimmick even had him performing his own ring announcement, in which he referred to himself as "Mr. Anderson." The next week, Anderson returned to Velocity under the name "Ken Kennedy" and went on again to perform his own ring announcement, calling himself "Mr. Kennedy." The name "Mr. Kennedy" comes from his previous nickname that he often used for playing computer games at LAN parties in Green Bay, WI. Although the Mr. Kennedy character is a heel, he has the admiration of most Internet fans. The WWE later added an old-school microphone lowered from the ceiling in a spotlight, similar to the one used at Madison Square Garden, to be used before his matches.
Kennedy made his SmackDown! debut on August 25, 2005, once again defeating Funaki. Kennedy has also defeated big Superstars in the likes of Booker T and Rey Mysterio. Kennedy made his pay-per-view debut at Smackdown!'s No Mercy, in which he defeated Hardcore Holly.
On the October 21st edition of SmackDown!, General Manager Theodore Long said that Randy Orton had to find a tag team partner or face Batista and Eddie Guerrero by himself. At the last minute, Orton enlisted the help of Kennedy. They then wrestled and lost via disqualification after "Cowboy" Bob Orton interfered in the match. Afterwards, General Manager Theodore Long then said that they were again scheduled for a tag team match, featuring "Cowboy" Bob and Randy Orton with Kennedy against Batista, Guerrero, and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. On the November 11th edition of SmackDown!, Kennedy faced Eddie Guerrero for a spot on SmackDown's Survivor Series team. He lost the match when his opponent tossed him a steel chair and played dead, which Guerrero has made famous. The groggy referee turned around and saw Guerrero on the ground with Kennedy holding the chair, and consequently disqualified Kennedy, awarding the place on Team SmackDown! at Survivor Series to Guerrero. In retaliation, Kennedy struck Guerrero over the head with the chair after the match. This match happened to be Guerrero's final televised match. Guerrero passed due to Heart Disease on November 13. On the November 25 SmackDown! Kennedy was again disqualified for trying to use a chair in his match against Matt Hardy. The referee attempted to confiscate the chair, Kennedy struggled - hitting the referee in the ribs with the chair in the process - and was disqualified.
Ken Kennedy has appeared in a feature film 'Forever Still Life' made by Ex Wrestler, Now Filmmaker Matt Burns (AKA Sick Nick Mondo)
On the second day in Italy during the WWE's trip overseas, Kennedy suffered a serious lat tear. After working through his injury, Ken Kennedy was said to have been hurting so bad that he couldn’t even put his hand in his pocket to get his wallet at a restaurant. The doctors told him it was a complete tear, compared to Batista’s partial tear, and that he would need surgery. Kennedy had successful surgery on December 6, 2005 and it will now be three months until he can work out his right upper body and an additional three months until he can step foot back into the ring.
Vince is said to be a huge fan of Ken Kennedy and actually wanted to put him in a major match at WrestleMania 22, however it doesn’t look like that will be happening now. Vince told Kennedy to have the surgery, to give him time to come up with a plan of action for his return.
They will likely give him some sort of on-air role during his recovery to keep his character alive, similar to what they did with Edge.
Wrestling facts
Finishing and signature moves
- Green Bay Plunge / Lambeau Leap / Kenton Bomb (rolling fireman's carry slam from the middle rope)
Ring announcement
While in WWE, the Ken Kennedy (formerly Ken Anderson) persona performs his own ring announcement, usually after showing dismay over his introduction by SmackDown! ring announcer Tony Chimel.
Kennedy's ring announcement usually follows this basic set up: (Firstly the old-school microphone is lowered from the ceiling in a spotlight, the spotlight being placed on Kennedy.) Then he proceeds to say:"This next contest is scheduled for oooooone fall, with a twenty min-ute time lim-it. I weigh in tonight at an astonishing 246 pounds (Usually in a louder tone. He sometimes acknowledges that he gained a pound). I hail from Green Bay, Wisconsiiiin! Mmmmmisteeeer Kennedy! (dramatic pause while climbing to the middle rope) KEN-NE-DYYYY!."
Championships and accomplishments
- 2-time ACW Heavyweight Champion
- 1-time ACW Television Champion
- 3-time ACW Tag Team Champion (with Mike Mercury)
- Mid American Wrestling
- 1-time MAW Heavyweight Champion
- 1-time NWA Midwest Heavyweight Champion
- UPCW
- 1-time UPCW Tag Team Champion (with Big Daddy Loker)
- Xtreme Intense Championship Wrestling
- 1-time XICW Tag Team Champion