Ex-WWE Star Explains Why Vince McMahon Changed His Ring Name

Published: Jun 15, 2023 by Sanchez Taylor | Last Updated: Jun 15, 2023 by Sanchez Taylor

Sanchez has over six years of pro-wrestling news writing experience, covering the biggest news stories in WWE, NXT, AEW, TNA Wrestling and more. He has personally interviewed a number of top stars, producing exclusive content with the likes of AEW's Swerve Strickland and WWE's Nick Aldis.

Former WWE star Ken Anderson (Mr Kennedy) has explained why Vince McMahon made him change his ring name.

While Ken Anderson did wrestle as ‘Mr Anderson’ away from WWE, the star wrestled as ‘Ken Kennedy’ and ‘Mr Kennedy’ for most of his main roster run.

Speaking on Sportskeeda’s UnSKripted podcast, Anderson noted that this was to avoid associations with wrestling legend Arn Anderson and that Anderson family:

“(Vince) was like ‘I don’t want people associating you with them; I don’t want them to think there’s some kind of nepotism involved.”

“I will say that whether or not I’m related to him, I was fortunate enough to be under (Arn’s) wing at WWE because he was one of the producers there.

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From the time that I was just an extra, going there and trying to get a job and trying to get looked at, I would sit around the ring, and Arn was one of those guys who was just happy to share his knowledge with anyone who would listen.”

Anderson currently runs The Academy School of Professional Wrestling and has coached Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson ahead of Steveson’s WWE in-ring debut.

Steveson recently teased a confrontation with a major star, which you can read more about right here.

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Transcription via Wrestling Inc

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