Kenneth Anthony Anderson (born March 6, 1976) is an Americanprofessional wrestler. He is known for his tenure inWWE from 2005 to 2009 under the ring nameMr. Kennedy,[11] and his tenure inTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling asMr. Anderson from 2010 to 2016. He also works as an announcer forTop Rank Boxing.
Before signing a development deal with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and being assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling, WWE's farm area, Anderson began his career on the independent circuit. He was promoted to the main roster in 2005. One year after his debut, he won theWWE United States Championship, which he held for 42 days. AtWrestleMania 23, he won the 2007Money in the Bank briefcase with a title shot for the promotion's world title. However, he dropped the briefcase to Edge after being misdiagnosed with an injury. Kennedy would remain with the promotion until 2009.
In 2010, Anderson signed with TNA, where he competed under the ring namesMr. Anderson andKen Anderson. In 2011, he would win theTNA World Heavyweight Championship twice during a feud with the villainous group,Immortal. After losing the title, he would remain with the promotion as a mid-card wrestler, joining the villainous faction Aces & Eights at one point, until he departed TNA in 2016. In 2019, Anderson came back to pro wrestling programming when he worked forNational Wrestling Alliance (NWA). In September 2025, Anderson officially returned to TNA after 9 years away from the promotion.
Kenneth Anthony Anderson was born on March 6, 1976, inWisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.[9][13] Anderson graduated fromWashington High School inTwo Rivers. During his time there, he excelled at swimming and track and field.[13] He also announced school basketball games and did a radio assignment in his Mass Media class.[14] When doing this, a friend suggested to Anderson to repeat the surnames to make it funnier.[14] That element was eventually used again in his wrestling character when encouraged byPaul Heyman.[10][14][15] Before beginning his wrestling career, Anderson worked as a security officer at Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant and a personal trainer.[10][13] He also served in theUnited States Army.[3][16] His father died on April 13, 2006, from cancer.[17]
Anderson, under the ring name "Two Rivers Jack", made his debut on September 11, 1999, at a North American Wrestling Federation event inWhitewater, Wisconsin, losing to Golga.[18] He wrestled just twenty-one matches before appearing for theWorld Wrestling Federation onJakked in 2001, where he lost toEssa Rios.[19] He occasionally worked asenhancement talent for WWF when shows ran in Wisconsin.[20] Anderson also made an appearance onNWA: Total Nonstop Action's secondary television program,Xplosion.[21] The owner of the promotion,Jeff Jarrett, approached him for a contract but communications broke down.[8]
Upon signing withWWE in February 2005, Anderson was sent to theOhio Valley Wrestling (OVW)developmental territory, where he would remain for six months. When he arrived,Jim Cornette was in charge of the organization and, according to Anderson, did not see potential in his abilities and declined to feature him as more than an occasional bit-player on OVW's programming.[22] When Cornette departed, his replacement,Paul Heyman, showed immediate interest in Anderson, comparing his qualities toThe Rock andStone Cold Steve Austin.[22] Five weeks later, Anderson was called up to WWE's main roster to work onVelocity. He credits Heyman with helping him develop the character with which he would achieve success.[22] Before his firstSmackDown! match, he showed himself to be a cocky and arrogant wrestler by taking a microphone and performing his own ring announcement.[10][23] He referred to himself as "Mr. Anderson" for this match.[1] A few weeks later, to avoid comparisons with the more famousAnderson family (as well as formerCincinnati BengalsquarterbackKen Anderson), he changed his name "Ken Kennedy", to "Mr. Kennedy".[8] The change was initially suggested by Heyman and was chosen because it is the middle name of WWE ChairmanVince McMahon.[15]
Kennedy, as a heel, defeatedFunaki in hisSmackDown! debut on August 25.[24] Kennedy also created an ongoingmini-feud withSmackDown!ring announcerTony Chimel based on Kennedy believing that Chimel's announcing was not done well enough or with sufficient respect, and therefore performing his own introductions or forcing Chimel to introduce him again. Kennedy's self-ring introductions before the match became one of his trademarks.[10] While working on bothVelocity andSmackDown!, he was also still working in OVW. Kennedy made hispay-per-view debut atNo Mercy on October 9, defeatingHardcore Holly andinjuring Holly's ribs during the match.[25]
On the November 11 episode ofSmackDown!, Kennedy facedEddie Guerrero to compete for a spot on Team SmackDown! atSurvivor Series on November 27. He lost the match when Guerrero tossed him asteel chair andplayed possum, a move which Guerrero had made famous. The referee turned around and saw Guerrero on the ground with Kennedy holding the chair, and consequentlydisqualified Kennedy, awarding the place on Team SmackDown! to Guerrero. This was Kennedy's first loss. In retaliation, Kennedy struck Guerrero over the head with the chair after the match.[26] This was Guerrero's final televised match,[27] as he died two days later. In interviews about the incident, Kennedy has stated that he considers this an "unfortunate honor".[15]
In December, Kennedy participated in WWE's overseas tour. On the second day inItaly, Kennedy suffered alegitimatelatissimus dorsi tear.[27] Kennedy was sidelined for nearly six months while he rehabilitated the injury.[28] He continued to make appearances onSmackDown! andVelocity throughout January and February and even made an appearance on the January 11, 2006, episode ofWWE Byte This! withTodd Grisham to maintain visibility.[29]
Mr. Kennedy's trademark ring announcement
At the OVW tapings on May 17, Kennedy returned to in-ring action, facingOVW Heavyweight ChampionCM Punk in a title match that Kennedy lost.[30] Kennedy made his return toSmackDown! on the June 9 episode with a victory overScotty 2 Hotty after using the "Kenton Bomb".[31] On the July 14 episode ofSmackDown!,Matt Hardy used aroll-up to defeat Kennedy, ending Kennedy's streak of never being defeated by pin orsubmission.[32] On the July 21 episode ofSmackDown!,Batista put out an open challenge to find an opponent forThe Great American Bash on July 23, as his original opponent,Mark Henry, had been injured.[33] Kennedy accepted the challenge and won the match by disqualification, however, he suffered an injury during the match after being thrown headfirst into the steel steps, resulting in an exposed cranium laceration which required twenty stitches to close.[34] Kennedy helped Vince andShane McMahon in their feud withD-Generation X (DX), appearing at bothSummerSlam on August 20 and the August 28 episode ofRaw to attack them.[35][36]
United States Champion and Mr. Money in the Bank (2006–2007)
On the September 1 episode ofSmackDown!, Kennedy defeated Finlay andBobby Lashley in atriple threat match to win theWWE United States Championship, his first and only championship reign in WWE.[37] On the September 8 episode ofSmackDown!, Kennedy announced that he wanted to move over to theRaw brand, asSmackDown! did not interest him anymore since he had already defeated every top performer on the roster. This led to SmackDown!General ManagerTheodore Long making a match between Kennedy andThe Undertaker, who Kennedy had never faced, to be held atNo Mercy on October 8. Kennedy won the match by disqualification after The Undertaker hit him with the United States Championship belt.[38] On the October 13 episode ofSmackDown!, Kennedy, now with a win over The Undertaker, again stated his desire to move to Raw. However, Long again put him against an opponent who he had never faced—this timeChris Benoit—with the United States Championship on the line. Long said that if Kennedy were to defeat Benoit, he would be given his release and be allowed to go to Raw. Ultimately, Kennedy lost the match and the United States Championship to Benoit after submitting to the "Crippler Crossface" following a distraction by The Undertaker.[39]
In November, Kennedy joined forces withMontel Vontavious Porter (MVP) in matches againstBrothers of Destruction (The Undertaker andKane). On the November 3 episode ofSmackDown!, Kennedy and MVP lost to the Brothers of Destruction three times. After first gettingcounted out, Theodore Long restarted the match with no countouts. When Kennedy disqualified his team by performing alow blow, Long restarted the match again with no countouts and no disqualifications.[40] Kennedy and MVP continued to feud with the two, with MVP feuding with Kane while Kennedy challenged The Undertaker to a match atSurvivor Series on November 26, which was later announced as aFirst Blood match. Kennedy defeated The Undertaker at Survivor Series after MVP turned on Kennedy and aimed for his head with a steel chair, but missed and hit The Undertaker instead, leaving The Undertaker bleeding. After the match, The Undertaker attacked Kennedy, forcing him to bleed.[41] AtArmageddon on December 17, Kennedy and The Undertaker met in a final match; they were scheduled in aLast Ride match. In the match, The Undertaker defeated Kennedy.[42]
After a brief hiatus, Kennedy returned toSmackDown! on January 5, 2007, and defeated Chris Benoit in a"Beat the Clock" match, with the overall prize being a shot at Batista'sWorld Heavyweight Championship at theRoyal Rumble on January 28.[43] After he prevented The Undertaker from beating his time, Kennedy's time of 5:07 ended up being the fastest.[44] At the Royal Rumble, he lost to Batista, as well as a subsequent rematch on the February 9 episode ofSmackDown!.[45][46] From there, Kennedy began a short feud withECW World Champion Bobby Lashley, leading to a match atNo Way Out on February 18 for the ECW World Championship, which Kennedy won by disqualification after Lashley hit him with a chair.[47] Kennedy challenged Lashley unsuccessfully for the ECW World Championship on the February 20 episode ofECW (a triple threat match also involving Hardcore Holly) and the March 2 episode ofSmackDown! as well.[48][49]
Kennedy earned a spot in the2007 Money in the Bank ladder match by defeatingSabu in anExtreme Rules match on the February 27 episode ofECW.[50] AtWrestleMania 23 on April 1, Kennedy won the Money in the Bank ladder match, giving him the right to challenge any world champion in WWE at any date up untilWrestleMania XXIV on March 30, 2008.[14][27] Kennedy announced on the April 30 episode ofRaw that he would be cashing in his Money in the Bank championship opportunity in eleven months at WrestleMania XXIV.[51] On the May 7 episode ofRaw, Kennedy, however, lost his Money in the Bank briefcase toEdge,[27] after being struck with amonitor before the match began.[52] Kennedy had sustained an injury prior to his match with Edge, and it was thought that his right triceps muscle tore off the bone and he would be out for a minimum of five to seven months, leading to the decision to transfer the briefcase in lieu of the original plan of having him cash it in against the World Heavyweight Champion, The Undertaker, following a steel cage match, as he needed time away for bicep surgery.[53][27] The injury, however, was not as serious as initially thought, as the triceps tendon did not tear off the bone but was, in fact, a massivehematoma,[27][54][55] which would keep him out for only five to seven weeks.
On the June 11 episode ofRaw, Kennedy was drafted to the Raw brand as part of theWWE Draft.[56] On the August 20 episode ofRaw,Carlito hosted the interview segmentCarlito's Cabana. During the segment, Carlito challenged his guest,Umaga for hisIntercontinental Championship atSummerSlam on August 26, and Kennedy also demanded a shot at the title.[57]Raw General ManagerWilliam Regal, scheduled a match between Kennedy and Carlito, in which the winner would receive an opportunity to face off against Umaga at SummerSlam.[57] After the match ended in a draw, Regal booked atriple threat match at SummerSlam between the three men for the Intercontinental Championship; at SummerSlam, Umaga retained the title.[58] On the September 10 episode ofRaw,Mr. McMahon revealed that Kennedy had, in storyline, been suspended for "impersonating a McMahon." This angle was written because Kennedy being named one of the eleven wrestlers implicated in a steroid scandal and therefore suspended for thirty days in accordance with WWE'sWellness Policy.[59]
Kennedy making his ring entrance at aRawhouse show in 2007
After his suspension, Kennedy returned to television on the October 1 episode ofRaw, facingJohn Cena in the main event and losing.[60] AtNo Mercy on October 7, Kennedy took part in a six-man tag team match alongsideWorld Tag Team ChampionsLance Cade and Trevor Murdoch, defeatingPaul London, Brian Kendrick and Intercontinental ChampionJeff Hardy.[61] For several weeks, Kennedy began a feud with Hardy, which consisted of the two facing off in a singles match and numerous tag team matches, most of which Hardy won.[62][63] AtCyber Sunday on October 28, Kennedy and Hardy were two of the eligible wrestlers that could earn aWWE Championship match that evening, pending a fan votes. Neither man won the opportunity, asShawn Michaels won the vote and earned a shot at the title. Kennedy defeated Hardy at Cyber Sunday.[64]
Kennedy next entered a feud with Michaels on the November 19 episode ofRaw. Kennedy claimed that it was time for Michaels to move on and let the younger wrestlers achieve success.[65] AtArmageddon on December 16, Michaels defeated Kennedy by executing "Sweet Chin Music".[66] On the December 31 episode ofRaw, Kennedy pinned Michaels in a rematch by executing his new finishing move, the "Mic Check".[67] In subsequent rematches, the two traded wins over each other.[67][68]
After several months of minor feuds and short storylines, Kennedy was not seen for weeks afterWrestleMania XXIV because he was filmingBehind Enemy Lines: Colombia.[59][69] Kennedy returned toRaw on April 28, 2008, confronting and brawling with Raw General Manager and newly crownedKing of the Ring William Regal, turningface in the process.[59][70] On the May 19 episode ofRaw, Kennedy defeated Regal in a "Loser Gets Fired match", thereby opening up the General Manager spot on the Raw brand.[59][71]
During theWWE Draft on June 23 onRaw, Kennedy was drafted to the SmackDown brand.[72] On August 4, he dislocated his shoulder in a match againstShelton Benjamin at a house show, keeping him off television for three months.[73] Kennedy made his return to WWE television, in a non-wrestling capacity, on the November 24 episode ofRaw, promotingBehind Enemy Lines: Colombia.[74]
On April 15, 2009, Mr. Kennedy was drafted back to the Raw brand as the brand's first pick of the2009 Supplemental Draft.[75] On the May 11 episode ofRaw, WWE aired a video package to promote Kennedy's return. He made his official Raw return two weeks later, competing in a 10-man tag team match, which his team won.[76]
Kennedy was released from his WWE contract on May 29, just four days after his return.[11] In a March 2010 interview withWrestleZone, Anderson explained that his release was due to fellow wrestlerRandy Orton complaining to WWE management that Kennedy was reckless in the ring, citing a botchedbackdrop that caused Orton to land on his head and neck instead of on his back. Orton argued that this could have potentially ended his career. According to Kennedy, Orton also persuaded John Cena to complain to Vince McMahon about Kennedy's in-ring performance, which prompted McMahon to release Kennedy from his contract.[77]
In January 2010, Anderson signed a one-year deal withTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).[81] He made his debut for TNA at theGenesis pay-per-view on January 17, working under the ring name Mr. Anderson. As a mystery opponent, he wrestledAbyss, whom he pinned after usingbrass knuckles, establishing himself as a heel in the process.[82] Anderson made hisImpact! debut on January 21, delivering a promo on and being attacked by Abyss.[83]
AtAgainst All Odds on February 14, Anderson defeatedKurt Angle and Abyss to advance to the finals of the8 Card Stud Tournament, where he lost toD'Angelo Dinero.[84] On the following edition ofImpact!, Angle, whom Anderson had defeated by hitting him withdog tags, accused him of disrespecting U.S. soldiers, which led to Anderson hitting him with a mic, effectively starting a feud between the two.[85] AtDestination X on March 21, Angle defeated Anderson by submission.[86] Afterwards, Anderson and Angle were booked in asteel cage match atLockdown on April 18.[87] On the April 5 episode ofImpact!, Anderson defeated Angle in aladder match to win possession of the key to the cage door to be used at Lockdown.[88] Angle defeated Anderson in the cage match at Lockdown.[89] AtSacrifice on May 16, Anderson was defeated by Jeff Hardy. After the match, Anderson offered to shake Hardy's hand, but Hardy declined.[90] On the following episode ofImpact!, Anderson helped Hardy defeatSting in the main event of the show. After the match, both Anderson and Hardy were attacked by Sting. This turned Anderson face.[91] AtSlammiversary VIII on June 13, Anderson and Hardy, now known collectively as the Enigmatic Assholes, defeatedBeer Money, Inc. (Robert Roode andJames Storm) in a tag team match.[92]
AtVictory Road on July 11, Anderson and Hardy attempted to win theTNA World Heavyweight Championship fromRob Van Dam in a four-way match, also involving Abyss, but both were unsuccessful.[93] On the August 19 edition ofImpact!, the TNA World Heavyweight Championship was vacated and Anderson was entered into an eight-man tournament for the title, defeatingJay Lethal in the first round[94] and D'Angelo Dinero in the semifinals atNo Surrender on September 5.[95] On September 21, TNA PresidentDixie Carter announced that Anderson had signed a new long-term contract with TNA.[96] AtBound for Glory on October 10, Anderson failed in his attempt to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship when Jeff Hardy, with the assistance of bothHulk Hogan andEric Bischoff, pinned him in a three-way match (which also included Kurt Angle) to win the title, ending their partnership.[97] Two weeks later, Anderson competed in a number one contenderUltimate X match againstKazarian, who won following interference from hisFortune stablemates. Anderson was blindsided by Hardy after the match, which consequently earned Anderson a title shot atTurning Point on November 7.[98] During the attack, Anderson suffered a legitimateconcussion, which kept him from taking part in the title match.[99][100]
Anderson returned on the December 2 episode ofImpact!, chasing Hardy and Fortune out of the ring, before being announced as the special guest referee for the title match between Hardy andMatt Morgan atFinal Resolution on December 5.[101] Anderson was bloodied and taken out of that match by Eric Bischoff, who helped Hardy retain the title after another referee replaced Anderson.[102] On January 9, 2011, atGenesis, Anderson defeated Morgan in a number one contender's match. Immediately afterwards, Bischoff announced that Anderson would get his title match against Jeff Hardy immediately. After interference from Morgan,Mick Foley, Matt Hardy, Rob Van Dam, and Bischoff, Anderson defeated Hardy to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for the first time.[103] On the February 3 episode ofImpact!, Anderson defeated Hardy in a rematch for the title after Fortune turned on Immortal, who were interfering.[104] On February 13 atAgainst All Odds, Anderson lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship back to Hardy in a ladder match.[105]
Eleven days later, Anderson defeated Kurt Angle and Rob Van Dam in a three-way match to earn a rematch for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[106] Anderson was looking to get his title match on the following edition ofImpact!, but it was instead given to the returning Sting, who defeated Hardy to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[107] On the March 10 edition ofImpact!, Anderson attacked Sting backstage, claiming that he had been screwed out of his title match. In the main event of that show, Anderson teamed with Jeff Hardy against Rob Van Dam and Sting. During the match, Anderson took on the role of atweener by turning on Hardy before being pinned by Van Dam.[108] On April 17 atLockdown, Anderson failed in his attempt to regain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship from Sting in a three-way steel cage match which also included Van Dam.[109] On May 12, Anderson defeated 24 other men in abattle royal to earn a shot at the TNA World Heavyweight Championship atSlammiversary IX on June 12.[110] In the weeks leading up to Slammiversary, Anderson tried to get under Sting's skin by dressing up like he did in the early 1990s during his "surfer"gimmick, attackingDisco Inferno during his own "Scorpion Sitdown" interview segment, and wrestlingEric Young, who was dressed asThe Great Muta.[111][112][113]
At Slammiversary, Anderson defeated Sting after a low blow from Eric Bischoff and a "Mic Check" to win the TNA World Heavyweight Championship for the second time, turning heel in the process.[114] On June 18, Anderson represented TNA at Mexican promotionAAA'sTriplemanía XIX pay-per-view, where he and Abyss unsuccessfully challengedExtreme Tiger andJack Evans for theAAA World Tag Team Championship in a steel cage match.[115] On the July 7 edition ofImpact Wrestling, Anderson joined Immortal.[116] The following week, Anderson lost the TNA World Heavyweight Championship back to Sting.[117][118] On July 28, Anderson faced Angle in a steel cage match, but was defeated following a distraction from fellow Immortal memberBully Ray.[119] The tension between the two stablemates eventually led to a match on August 7 atHardcore Justice, where Ray defeated Anderson with a low blow.[120] On the following edition ofImpact Wrestling, the rest of Immortal turned on Anderson and kicked him out of the group. This turned Anderson face once again.[121] Anderson returned on August 25, attacking his former stablemates.[122] On the September 8 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Anderson challenged Kurt Angle, who won the world title at Hardcore Justice, but the match ended in a disqualification due to interference from Immortal.[123] AtNo Surrender on September 11, Anderson again failed to capture the title in a three-way match, which also included Sting.[124] Anderson and Bully Ray settled their grudge on October 16 atBound for Glory, where Anderson won aFalls Count Anywhere match.[125] On November 13 atTurning Point, Anderson and Abyss defeated Ray andScott Steiner in a tag team match, ending his year-long storyline with Immortal.[126]
After a four-month absence, Anderson returned to TNA on March 8, 2012, aligning himself withA.J. Styles in his feud withChristopher Daniels and Kazarian.[127] The following week, Anderson defeated Daniels in his return match.[128] The rivalry continued on April 15 atLockdown, where the two duos were on opposing teams in the annualLethal Lockdown match. Anderson and Styles, on the team led byGarett Bischoff, defeated Daniels and Kazarian, on the team led by Eric Bischoff.[129] On the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, Anderson and Jeff Hardy were defeated by Rob Van Dam in a three-way number one contender's match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[130] During the first "Open Fight Night" the following week, Anderson teamed up with Hardy to unsuccessfully challengeMagnus andSamoa Joe for theTNA World Tag Team Championship.[131] On June 10 atSlammiversary, Anderson defeated Hardy and Rob Van Dam in a three-way match to become the number one contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.[132] On the following edition ofImpact Wrestling, Anderson unsuccessfully challenged Bobby Roode for the world championship. As a result, he was entered into the2012 Bound for Glory Series to try to earn another shot at the title.[133] Anderson was mathematically eliminated on August 23.[134] On September 27, Anderson received a shot at the vacantTNA Television Championship, but was defeated by Samoa Joe via submission with the "Coquina Clutch".[135]
Aces & Eights in January 2013 (Anderson is far left)
After several weeks of absence, Anderson returned on the December 27 episode ofImpact Wrestling, where he was offered a position inAces & Eights, which Anderson accepted on the January 3, 2013 episode ofImpact Wrestling, turning heel in the process.[136][137] On the January 10 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Anderson explained his joining by noting how nobody helped him when he was attacked by the Aces & Eights back in October.[138] Anderson wrestled his return match atGenesis on January 13, defeating Samoa Joe after interference from Aces & Eights memberMike Knox.[139] On March 10 atLockdown, Aces & Eights — represented by Anderson,Devon,DOC, Garett Bischoff, and Mike Knox — were defeated by Team TNA — consisting of Eric Young, James Storm, Magnus, Samoa Joe, and Sting — in a Lethal Lockdown match.[140] On June 2 atSlammiversary XI, Anderson, Bischoff, andWes Brisco were defeated by Jeff Hardy, Magnus, and Samoa Joe in a six-man tag team match.[141] On the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, Anderson began campaigning to be the new Vice President of the Aces & Eights.[142] The following week, Anderson defeated his fellow Aces & Eights stablemates in a battle royal to qualify for the2013 Bound for Glory Series.[143] Anderson defeatedJoseph Park in his first BFG series match via pinfall on the June 20 episode ofImpact Wrestling to earn seven points in the tournament.[144] On the July 11 episode ofImpact Wrestling, Anderson was voted to become Vice President of Aces & Eights.[145]
In August, he started a feud with Bully Ray, as Anderson frequently disagreed with Ray's decisions.[146] Anderson's participation in the Bound for Glory series ended on the September 5 episode ofImpact Wrestling, when he was eliminated from a twenty-point battle royal by Samoa Joe. Later that night, Anderson turned face once again by costing Bully Ray his no-disqualification match with Sting and announcing himself as his TNA World Heavyweight Championship opponent atNo Surrender.[147] The following week, Anderson unsuccessfully challenged Ray for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in a Last Man Standing match. Afterwards, as Anderson was being stretchered away, Ray attacked him and executed apiledriver to him onto the stage.[148] On September 23, Anderson's profile was quietly removed from TNA's website, seemingly indicating his departure from the company.[149] However, he would make his return on October 24, continuing his storyline with Ray. AtImpact Wrestling: Turning Point, he defeated Ray and forced Aces & Eights to disband.
On February 20, 2014, Anderson started a feud withSamuel Shaw when he attacked him andChristy Hemme during an interview.[150] At that time, Shaw played a character of a man with an obsession with Hemme.[151] AtLockdown on March 9, Shaw defeated Anderson in a steel cage match by escaping the cage by using Hemme as a distraction by pulling her through the camera cut-out of the steel cage. Anderson rescued Hemme but was caught in Shaw'skata gatame submission hold. The referee, who had been knocked out earlier in the match, only saw Shaw escape the cage and declared him the winner.[152] They faced each other two more times atImpact Wrestling,[153][154] but their final match happened atSacrifice on April 27, where Anderson defeated Shaw in a "Committed match", a match where you have to put the rival into a van, in order to win. Anderson won the match and, in storyline, Shaw was sent to apsychiatric facility forintervention.[155] On May 1, Anderson attackedJames Storm after the latter lost toWillow. On May 22, Anderson challenged Storm to a drinking contest, then went on to attack him outside the bar.[156] Anderson won a match between the two atSlammiversary XII on June 15.[157]
Following Slammiversary, Anderson formed a tag team withGunner despite his relationship with Samuel Shaw, whom Gunner had been helping through the kayfabe psychiatric counseling. Anderson and Gunner continued to team together with Shaw at their side.[158] Shaw would frequently try to help them in their matches, but Anderson refused, citing his lack of trust. On August 14, Anderson and Shaw brawled during a match between the former and Gunner.[159] AtHardcore Justice, Anderson was defeated by Shaw in anI Quit match.[160] Anderson returned to TNA on the February 20, 2015, episode ofImpact Wrestling, confrontingEthan Carter III andTyrus for what they were doing toRockstar Spud andMandrews by attacking Tyrus and giving him a haircut.[161] On May 8, Anderson was defeated by Carter in a Falls Count Anywhere match.[162] The following week, Anderson defeated Tyrus.[163] AtSlammiversary, Anderson andLashley lost to Carter and Tyrus.[164] Several months later, Anderson engaged in a short feud againstBram, defeating him at bothNo Surrender andTurning Point.[165][166] AtBound for Glory, Anderson was eliminated in the Bound for Gold by Tyrus.[167] Throughout October and November, Anderson participated in theTNA World Title Series for the vacant TNA World Heavyweight Championship. However, he ended last in Group Champions. Anderson's final match in TNA was adark match on January 7, 2016, where he defeatedTNA King of the Mountain Champion Eric Young by disqualification in a title match, and his final appearance would be at Rivals 2016 against Bram.[168] In March, it was reported that Anderson was fired from TNA for failing an on-the-spot drug test at anImpact Wrestling taping.[169]
Anderson debuted for theNational Wrestling Alliance (NWA) at their television tapings on September 30 forNWA Power, defeating enhancement talent in a tag team match alongsideColt Cabana.[173] At the December 16 tapings, Anderson won an eight-mangauntlet match to replace the injured Zane Dawson in theNWA World Television Championship tournament.[174] Anderson, however, was not medically cleared to compete in the tournament, therefore losing his match againstTim Storm by forfeit.[175]
Anderson married girlfriend Shawn Trebnick on January 9, 2008. Their twins, Prescott Liberty and Pearce Remington were born in January 2014. Trebnick and Anderson have since divorced. Anderson married his current wife, Anastasia, on January 29, 2018.[184][185][186] Anderson has a red and black tattoo on his upper back,[187] which took nearly eight hours to complete.[188] In 2016, Anderson and fellow WWE alumShawn Daivari founded The Academy professional wrestling school.[189]
In an interview on August 18, 2007, Anderson admitted to usingsteroids when he was performing on the independent wrestling scene, stating that he had quit using them in November 2005 to comply with WWE's Talent Wellness Program, implying that his job in the promotion was worth more than extra muscle mass. However, 12 days later on August 30, Anderson and nine other WWE wrestlers were named in aSports Illustrated article as having receivedperformance-enhancing drugs, in violation of the WWE Talent Wellness Program. Anderson receivedanastrozole,somatropin, andtestosterone between October 2006 and February 2007.[27] He later claimed that the steroids were for hislatissimus dorsi muscle, which was injured in 2005.[27][190]
^"NWA TNA Xplosion #21 Taping".The Internet Wrestling Database. February 26, 2003.Archived from the original on February 28, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 28, 2023.
^"ACW Wisconsin Champions". ACW Wisconsin. Archived fromthe original on July 3, 2017. RetrievedJuly 3, 2017.Former WWE Superstar Mr. Anderson is now in his fourth reign as ACW Heavyweight Champion...
