Former WWE Star Reveals Paul Heyman Came Up With Career-Defining Character Addition

WWE

A former WWE star has revealed the moment that would change his career, courtesy of Paul Heyman, creating an iconic mic moment.

Ken Anderson came up through the WWE developmental system Ohio Valley Wrestling in the mid 2000s, being introduced to the fans as Mr. Kennedy after his main roster call up.

Initially under the supervision of Jim Cornette, it would be the arrival of Paul Heyman that would signal a change for Anderson.

Speaking to SoundSphere, Anderson revealed the advice he was given during an entrance that would change his character, saying:

“Paul Heyman one day at OVW says, ‘Tonight, cut the ring announcer off, cuss him out, and then you do your own big introduction.’

“He said, ‘Just make it big and over the top.’”

With that challenge set, Anderson would look back to his time in a high school gym and would take the small-town approach turning it into the larger-than-life WWE style, stating:

“In the moment, when I was in the ring, I decided to hit my last name twice, which was something that I always did when I was announcing basketball games and volleyball games… and then here we are today.”

Whether he was Mr Kennedy or Mr Anderson, repeating his last name one more time would become the hallmark of any of his entrances, as impactful as the microphone dropping from above the ring into his waiting hand.

Mr. Kennedy would be released from his WWE contract in May 2009, heading to TNA Wrestling the following year until 2016.

A return to the independent scene would see Kennedy compete in the NWA before making his TNA Wrestling comeback in September of last year.

A former United States Champion, the star has previously stated he would be open to a potential WWE return.

The Mastermind In WWE

There’s little doubt that Paul Heyman is a genius when it comes to the wrestling business, with many stars reflecting on the influence he’s had on their careers over the years.  The star himself has stated that he’s “there for any talent” when it comes to his current backstage role in WWE.

It wasn’t always like that, though, with Heyman recently revealing that the relaunch of ECW in 2006 led to the dissolution of his relationship with Vince McMahon and eventual WWE departure.

Heyman would eventually return to WWE in 2012, closely associated with Brock Lesnar on-screen and adopting an executive role behind the scenes. The WWE Hall of Famer has an undeniable ability to elevate any of his clients or associates, regardless of how solid they may be on the microphone, without taking away from what they offer in their own right.

It does appear that he is a selfless advocate of others, regardless of the role he occupies, with Finn Balor previously revealing that Paul Heyman’s advice has helped him when it comes to overcoming promo struggles.

Regardless of what position Heyman fills, he’s undeniably a presence on WWE programming, be it as the Wiseman to The Bloodline, The Oracle to The Vision or meddling in whatever situation suits him.

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• wwe
• paul heyman
• Mr. Kennedy
• Ken Kennedy
• ken anderson
• mr. anderson

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