Bill Anderson on Hogan’s Death, Training Legends & Wrestling News
Veteran Wrestling Manager Ken Anderson Reflects on a Lifetime in the Business
Ken Anderson, a name synonymous with decades of professional wrestling, recently shared a treasure trove of stories and insights into the industry, spanning his experiences managing stars, training future generations, and witnessing the evolution of the sport. From navigating backstage politics to fondly remembering fallen colleagues, Anderson’s recollections offer a unique outlook on the world behind the squared circle.
The Art of the Booking and Dealing with Talent
Anderson’s career has been defined by his ability to spot talent and navigate the often-turbulent waters of wrestling bookings. He recounted a especially memorable situation involving a wrestler he booked for a show who lacked prior experience.
“I booked this guy, and he was… let’s just say green,” Anderson explained. “After the match, the promoter was furious! He yelled, ‘You knew he had never worked before! And I saeid, “I know, but if you knew he had never worked before, you never would have booked him.”‘ He said, ‘You’re God damn right!’ (laughs) I told him I had to do what I had to do.”
This anecdote highlights Anderson’s willingness to take risks and his understanding of the promotional side of wrestling – sometimes a calculated gamble was necessary to generate interest. He emphasized the importance of understanding a performer’s strengths and weaknesses, and how to present them effectively.
Recognizing and Nurturing potential: Louie Spicolli and Beyond
Anderson’s eye for talent wasn’t limited to identifying potential; he also dedicated himself to helping wrestlers refine their skills. He spoke with particular fondness about Louie Spicolli, a performer known for his dedication and willingness to learn.
“I can tell you why Candido liked him. Spicolli liked to work, and obviously, Candido liked to work,” Anderson stated. He shared a story of taking Spicolli to WWE shows in Edmonton and Calgary,where the question arose whether Spicolli could deliver a compelling match with Ricky Steamboat.
“I told him and he went over to Ricky and he said, ‘I want to do every high spot, in order, that you did with Randy Savage at WrestleMania III.’ Ricky said, ‘Do you think you can do it?’ He said ‘yeah’, and they went out and they did it! Strongbow had enough faith in Spicolli to go out and have that TV match. That is how good he was.”
This story illustrates Spicolli’s ambition and work ethic, and Anderson’s role in facilitating opportunities for him to showcase his abilities. It also speaks to the collaborative nature of wrestling, where performers often learn from and push each other to improve.
Training the Next Generation of Wrestlers
Anderson’s commitment to the wrestling business extended to training aspiring performers, including several notable female wrestlers. He fondly remembered his long-standing friendship with Doug Anderson, father of Cheerleader Melissa, whom he helped train alongside Mondo Guerrero and others.
“Doug Anderson was her father and I trained him also.He was one of my very best friends. He was 29 years a LA police officer… I knew Melissa from when she was 3 years old. As time went by and she wanted to get in the business, I helped train her.Everybody trains differently. But, she was good. Her dad,sadly,has passed away. That was hard. But, I still am in contact with melissa to this day. she lives in Vegas.”
He also discussed training Missy Hyatt, acknowledging the unique challenges presented by her circumstances. “Missy wanted to learn how to do some moves and to bump a little. But, at the time, she was dating Jason Hervey from the Wonder Years… And, problems with Jason Hervey would sometimes impact her willingness to come in and train. but, she did do some training with me, sure.”
Perhaps one of his most endearing training memories involved Magnificent Mimi. “Another girl I trained, you may not even know I trained, was Magnificent Mimi. She had a ring set up in the living room of her house. She had high ceilings. She used a 12 foot ring. But,it was weird hitting the ropes while in the living room of a mansion in the mountains of LA! Oh,I loved Mimi. oh my God! I wish I would have married her!”
A Look Back at the LPWA and the Changing Landscape of Women’s Wrestling
Anderson’s involvement in the Ladies Professional Wrestling association (LPWA) provided him with a unique vantage point