Former WWE wrestler Ken Anderson went on his new “Mic Check” podcast and addressed the old rumors about his backstage heat with John Cena in 2007. Anderson revealed that Stone Cold Steve Austin called and told him to quit WWE.
During an interview with WrestlingNews.co, Ken Anderson also detailed the advice he received from Stone Cold Steve Austin to leave WWE. Stone Cold warned Anderson about the backstage heat he had in the locker room. His advice was to leave WWE, go to other companies, and then come back as an even hotter commodity.
Unfortunately, Ken Anderson waited too long and was released in May 2009. However, his stay was extended by a laundry list of injuries that kept him in limbo as “Mr Kennedy” for those two years. WWE fans are still curious about the backstage heat that Anderson had with John Cena after all these years. For the first time in 15 years, Ken Anderson is setting the record straight.
GettyJohn Cena has a well-hidden history of backstage politics that hardcore WWE fans are still aware of.
Why Did John Cena Hate Ken Anderson?
ITR Wrestling also reported that John Cena “hated” Ken Anderson for suffering a torn pectoral muscle during one of their matches in 2007. Anderson was also clear that he never felt heat with the WWE management office, but with John Cena specifically, which is also why Stone Cold Steve Austin knew about the backstage heat.
“He [Cena] claimed he gave me a hip toss, and then he tore his pec,” Anderson explained on his podcast. “And he claimed that I tore his pec somehow… I watched the video over and over and over and over again, and like, it’s a hip toss… Sometimes accidents happen.”
John Cena was the face of WWE in 2007. If John Cena spread the word that “Mr. Kennedy” was a bad worker, who hurt the biggest star in the company, that backstage heat would be impossible to overcome. Anderson’s latest update on the situation also sheds some light on an incident with top star Randy Orton from 2009. Two years after Stone Cold Steve Austin warned Anderson.
WWE fans remember Anderson backdropping Randy Orton “on his head.” Orton broke character to rant and rave about almost being dropped on his neck and shoulders. Over the years, wrestling analysts have made the argument that the move was clean. Anderson’s reputation was irreparable by 2009, so Orton’s overreaction, along with “Cena’s injury,” led to Anderson’s WWE release.
GettyKen Anderson has not returned to WWE since he left the company in 2009.
What If Ken Anderson Took Stone Cold’s Advice?
“Mr. Kennedy” is remembered as one of the most notable “what-ifs” in pro wrestling history. Ken Anderson was a performer who had incredible charisma, good booking, and the kind of character that WWE loves. Stone Cold Steve Austin warned Anderson because he saw his talent. He knew that a blow-up was worse than choosing to leave on your own.
Ken Anderson was also highly injury-prone at the end of his WWE run. On paper, he could have challenged John Cena for the WWE Championship in 2009. The fans would have loved it, and WWE history may look a lot different. Ken Anderson ultimately moved on to TNA Wrestling and continued his wrestling career.
Looking back on the incident now, Stone Cold Steve Austin was trying to ensure a future where John Cena and Ken Anderson both thrived. WWE fans have wanted to know the details about this incident back in 2007. The incident is still interesting after all these years.
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